The past few days have been heartbreaking as the Palisades, Eaton, Sunset and Kenneth Fires have forced many Harvard-Westlake families to evacuate, and for some, taken away their homes.

Our hearts are with the approximately 50 Harvard-Westlake families who are now facing the unimaginable—starting over and rebuilding their lives.

In moments like these, resilience isn’t just about moving forward—it’s about finding strength in community, in small moments of rest, and in the kindness we show ourselves and each other.

If you’re feeling the weight of these days, whether you’ve been directly affected or are simply holding space for those who have, we invite you to join us tomorrow for a special session on resilience.

Psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher Brian Shiers, LMFT, will lead a conversation on how we can care for ourselves in times of uncertainty, exploring the role of sleep, movement, connection, mindset, and meditation in restoring balance.

Date: Friday, January 10
Time: 9:00 AM
Join via Zoom: kalikazoom.com

This gathering is open to our entire Harvard-Westlake community: parents, students, faculty, and administrators—anyone who needs a quiet space to reflect, breathe, and feel supported.

Let’s come together, take a collective deep breath, and remind ourselves that we are not alone.

If you need support in any way, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Wishing you strength,

Chair, Harvard-Westlake Mindfulness Club

Ways to Support Harvard-Westlake Families Affected by the Fires

So many of you have asked how you can help, and it’s a beautiful reminder of the strength of this community. Here are two immediate ways to support families who have lost their homes:

Housing Support
One of the greatest needs right now is short- and long-term housing. If you are a real estate professional or have a space to offer—such as a guest room, a guest house, an ADU, or a vacant second home—please consider filling out this form to share details. This information will remain private within the HW community.

Clothing & Essential Items Drive
Harvard-Westlake Parents will be hosting a clothing and essential items drive this weekend.

Drop-off Location: Upper School Campus (Drive-thru at Hamilton Gym)
Donation Hours: Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM – 2 PM

Most Needed Items:
New or gently used clothing and shoes (all types and sizes)
New socks, underwear, blankets, and towels (various sizes)

If you have any questions about how to help, please email communications@hw.com.

Thank you for your kindness, your generosity, and your willingness to lift each other up. Together, we will get through this.

Take a few moments to reflect on these prompts. Let them guide you gently into the year ahead.