Bridge the Digital Divide & Make
Poverty History |
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March 18, 2008
Dear Partners, Supporters & Friends of CAMINOS,
Thank you for reaching out to our organization
during our time of need. This morning we were allowed to go into
our building at 1470 Valencia. The fire yesterday evening ravaged
our building. We walked into our classrooms to find that all of
our 40 computers in the computer lab where rendered unusable due
to the extensive water damage. We will have to replace all of our
computer equipment, which will be costly for CAMINOS. Our server
alone was $3,500! CAMINOS will also have to find a temporary home
from which to continue our computer training and work force development.
The cause of the blaze, which burned our building at 1470 Valencia
St. has not yet been determined, however investigators told us this
morning that they have the information they need and will be compiling
notes and evidence to determine the cause of the fire. They have
turned over the buildings to their owners but have declared
our building uninhabitable and the building will have to undergo
extensive repair.
Although the situation we currently face is an extremely difficult
one, we stand in solidarity with the 60 displaced residents who
were victims of this unfortunate fire. Displaced residents are being
housed at the Mission Recreation Center, which is acting as an American
Red Cross Shelter. This morning we all stood outside our buildings
with a pair of plastic gloves and a trash bag that was handed out
to us by the Red Cross Volunteers. Residents were allowed to go
into their apartment and collect one bag of their personal belongings.
Many of the families standing with us on the street were Latino
working class families, who have already begun dealing with the
harsh reality of being homeless in a city that offers scarce affordable
housing opportunities.
Our hearts go out to all those who lost their
home, pets and personal belongings. We are thankful that there were
no major injuries inflicted by the fire, however one firefighter
and one resident were treated for smoke inhalation.
The experience was humbling for all of us at CAMINOS
and a reminder why our work in the Mission is important. We ask
that you make a financial contribution to our organization and help
us Rebuild CAMINOS!
Best regards,
Laura Valdez
Executive Director
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1470
Valencia - CAMINOS Pathways Learning Center