Dear TTS Community,
We want to extend our heartfelt support to our friends and chosen family in LA during this time of unimaginable devastation.
We want to recognize the actions and efforts of the LA County Fire Department and all the first responders (based in the US and abroad) who are risking their lives in this moment. We also want to thank all of you who responded to my call about how we move forward.
From the people who have responded (especially our friends in LA), what we are hearing the most is that there is a need for community more now than ever. We do realize that we need to wait and see how things continue to develop to make a true assessment of what our next steps are but, in the meantime, here is where our minds and hearts are leading us.
We will continue to move forward with our plans for the L.A. Centennial Kickoff celebration on the 8th. However, we are thinking that a possible pivot with the plan is to hold space and discuss with everyone who can come what they think makes sense for our upcoming Showcase trip with our students. We have tossed around the idea of having a service component to the trip in March, etc. but we feel it is of the upmost importance for us to do what the community needs at the moment. We have all been impacted in one way or another and our hearts break for everyone who has experienced loss from this disaster.
We will update you as we get closer to the event of the plans and if there are further pivots.
Please know that you are in our thoughts and hearts during this difficult time. lacounty.gov/emergency continues to be the most comprehensive place for information related to shelters, food/clothing/water distribution sites, resources, and more.
If you are on our Greenroom platform for alumni, Jason has made a list of places you can donate (if you have the means) to support members of our community.
Sincerely,
Dean Martine