Our Team
The Out of the Ashes team is comprised entirely of volunteers, most of whom lost their homes in the wildfires that devastated San Diego neighborhoods in 2003 and 2007 . We came together to help pay-it-forward and support others going through experiences similar to ours.
Barbara
Co-Founder, Operations Coordinator
Barbara was out of town when the 2003 Cedar Fires destroyed her home. Soon after the loss, she created an organized box to start storing the mountains of paperwork she was receiving. Thus, the birth of the Home Loss File System box. Barbara founded the Out of the Ashes Box project when the Witch Creek Fires destroyed a neighboring community in 2007.
Jamie
Co-Founder, Social Media Coordinator
Jamie (Barbara's daughter) was in graduate school when she learned that her childhood home had been destroyed in the Cedar fires. When she returned to San Diego, her family evacuated again in the 2007 fires. While her home was spared, she joined co-founded the Out of the Ashes box to help families get organized after experiencing home loss from a wild fire.
Ross & Julia
Community Partnerships Coordinator &
Digital Resources Coordinator
Ross is Barbara & Charlie's son who was in college when his family home was destroyed in the 2003 Cedar Fire. Ross and his wife, Julia, have been instrumental in enhancing the community partnership opportunities and digital resources as we are always looking to improve the Home Loss File System.
Connie
Outreach Coordinator
Several close friends lost their homes in fires over the past 15 years. Connie's tried to support them thru those difficult times: from digging thru rubble searching for cherished mementos, to providing temporary housing & shopping for new Xmas ornaments. As difficult as it was to witness the anguish, she has been inspired by watching them rebuild their lives & start a new chapter.
Debbie D
Resource Distribution Coordinator
Debbie joined the team in 2024 as we were focused on distribution efforts in the LA Wildfires. Thanks to Debbie's help, we distributed 1900 Home Loss File Systems across various distribution centers.
Wes & Charlie
Advisory Members
In 2003, Wes & his wife lost their home & essentially all possessions to the Cedar Fire. In 2007, in the aftermath of the Witch Creek fire, he got involved with the Out of the Ashes group—to heal his heart, and to help the new fire folk, who were immersed in the cauldron of what he experienced 4 years earlier. Wes' goal is to continue to pay it forward to the thousands of future fire folk.
Linda C
Corporate Outreach
After Linda lost her home in 2003 it was the "soul-crushing monster" that just about did her in. The overwhelming amount of paper work was beyond belief. It is with great pride that Linda serves on this committee & helps to pay it forward by being involved with the Home Loss File System. Being organized is power & who doesn't love power? Let's all work together to "crush that monster";
Bob
Distribution Coordinator
Bob is the president of the Scripps Ranch Community Association and has been a long-time member of the Out of the Ashes Project. During the 2003 Cedar Fires, Bob — whose home was spared — was instrumental in organizing the rebuilding efforts of the 300+ families who had lost their homes. Along with Wes, Bob drove 1000 Home Loss File Systems to Northern California.