Your Red Cross Update

By: Carolina Dratva, American Red Cross Volunteer

When I arrived at a shelter in Oakland, Calif., set up in the wake of a devastating apartment fire, I immediately noticed a young girl. She was no older than 13 and was caring for her six-month-old sister, the youngest resident in the shelter. I could only imagine the fear and uncertainty they must have experienced after being forced to evacuate a fire so severe that it left approximately 70 people displaced and sent four people to the hospital.

As I looked around the shelter and saw just four of the 26 people who were staying there, I wondered where everyone else was. American Red Cross Shelter Manager Shari Ward, who had been tirelessly supporting the operation since it opened, shared some information about the residents. To my surprise, she told me they had all gone to work. Despite everything they have endured, they continued moving forward.

The shelter was established by the City of Oakland alongside volunteers from the Oakland Parks, Recreation & Youth Development Department. Among them was Angelica Lopez, who has been with the City of Oakland for 26 years and who has supported the 26 shelter residents since the first day. One story that deeply moved me came from Angelica. She shared that when the Red Cross arrived with emergency supplies, residents began arriving at the shelter around the same time, approximately 3 a.m. on Sept. 25, 2026. Although seven volunteers were there to set up and organize the shelter, the residents immediately rolled up their sleeves and joined the effort. Together, they assembled floor mats, set up cots and helped anyone who needed assistance.

They worked side by side, supporting one another as if they were one large family. One resident explained that theirs is a community where neighbors look after one another. Even neighbors from across the street stepped in to help.

As I prepared to leave the shelter, I stopped in the parking lot to say goodbye to the smiling six-month-old and her older sister that I had noticed earlier. I gave her one of the Red Cross toys donated by Disney. I wanted to ask what they had witnessed and experienced, but how could I? I only smiled and told them they should go eat a warm meal, that dinner was ready.

I briefly introduced myself to their mom and, at the same moment, I met their neighbor and friend, Lilian Gissela Rico. Lilian gradually and courageously shared her story with me.

Lilian and her husband were the last residents evacuated from the building. They lived on the third floor. Earlier that evening, she had returned home from church, and even though it was late, she was still humming songs from the choir when she heard an explosion downstairs. Soon, the smell of smoke began to fill the building.

She opened her apartment door, but a thick wave of black smoke rushed through the hallway, forcing her to retreat. She and her husband sheltered in the bathroom, covering their faces. Realizing they could become trapped, she made another attempt to escape, but again the smoke drove them back.

As smoke continued to fill their apartment, they broke a window to look for a way out and to call for help. Her husband believed their only option might be to jump, but Lilian could not bring herself to do it. Instead, she kept calling for help until firefighters finally reached them. Even with a ladder that barely made it up to their window ledge, Lilian found the courage to climb to safety. 

Despite everything she endured, Lilian spoke with remarkable resilience and gratitude. She expressed deep appreciation for the support provided by the many agencies assisting residents during this disaster. More than anything, she is grateful that no lives were lost that night. Considering the extent of the damage, she believes that is nothing short of a miracle.

Amid the hardship, there was also an unexpected blessing. When Lilian’s children learned about the fire, they reached out to her. Their concern and support brought her immense comfort and reminded her how much they loved and cared for her.

Now, Lilian is ready to begin again. She is grateful for her family, grateful to be safe, and grateful that her injuries were limited primarily to smoke inhalation. Most of all, she is grateful for the kindness she has received from so many people, the same kindness we at the Red Cross hope to continue showing every resident now and in the days ahead.

The City of Oakland provided breakfast and lunch while the Red Cross provided dinners. We continued to support residents with whatever they needed as they began the difficult process of rebuilding their lives and finding stable housing. As a result, we served 295 meals, had 108 overnight stays and opened 18 cases to provide financial, medical, mental health and spiritual assistance to 47 residents.

I feel honored to have witnessed such a strong and caring community. In their time of need, these neighbors have supported one another with compassion, dignity and determination. They know one another, they care for one another, and I sincerely hope they have the opportunity to remain close and rebuild their community together once again.

To help people affected by disasters like this one, please visit redcross.org.