People impacted by the wildfires seek information and relief at a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Pasadena City College Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

PASADENA, Calif. — Nearly three weeks after the Eaton Fire destroyed their Altadena home, Pete and Angela Mitchell need answers on what to do next.

They registered for FEMA assistance, but got a letter of non-approval. After a 90-minute call to the agency’s helpline and a long day at a FEMA recovery center, they learned they needed more insurance documents. But their insurance agent’s office also burned down. Now they have the documents, but can’t figure out how to upload them to FEMA.

Front of mind for them is where they, their four dogs and cat will live for the several years it will take to rebuild, and how they will pay both the existing mortgage for their destroyed home and rent on a temporary place each month.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” said Angela, but they don’t know who can guide them. And they worry about what happens when FEMA and the media move on to the next crisis. “We’re going to be here, struggling.”

Tens of thousands of people impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires have similar worries. To help, nonprofits across the region are readying what they say will be a record number of disaster case managers and advocates to support survivors through their recovery, connecting them with resources and fighting on their behalf.

“What people really need when at the lowest point in their lives is someone on their team that is helping support and guide them through their recovery,” said Claire Balsley, director of disaster assistance programs at the New Orleans-based disaster recovery organization SBP.

Given the scale of destruction, the nonprofits expect a dire need for these services.

“The term ‘unprecedented’ couldn’t be more accurate,” said Jenni Campbell, executive director of the Los Angeles Region Community Recovery Organization, or LARCRO. “The number of agencies and organizations that have come forward to participate in disaster case management is also unprecedented.”

Disaster case managers (DCMs) are trained and vetted helpers who support households through a longterm recovery plan, but many nonprofits also offer other types of advocates and caseworkers who can connect survivors to resources and help them navigate applications.

“We want everybody as much as possible to take part in their own recovery, but we want to steer them in the right direction,” said Shaun McCarty, program manager for disaster case management at Catholic Charities of Los Angeles.

“They don’t want to start making mistakes.”