WHAT WE DO
325 - The Pacific Palisades Rebuilding Fund
We are partnering with local organizations on the ground in Los Angeles to support creative female entrepreneurs who have lost everything in the Pacific Palisades fires of January 2025 to rebuild their lives and businesses. Funds raised will support these women in either rebuilding their homes or finding permanent housing, clothing and household items, and materials needed for rebuilding their businesses such as electronics, technology, and marketing materials. This fund will be ongoing through 2027 as we support these women in rebuilding their lives. We're also supporting these women in building a supportive tribe of heart-centered creative women who will mentor them as they move forward following this tragedy. TOGETHER WE RISE!
To learn the details of our fundraising campaign, click HERE.
To learn more about our beneficiaries for this fund, click HERE.
We are partnering with local organizations on the ground in Los Angeles to support creative female entrepreneurs who have lost everything in the Pacific Palisades fires of January 2025 to rebuild their lives and businesses. Funds raised will support these women in either rebuilding their homes or finding permanent housing, clothing and household items, and materials needed for rebuilding their businesses such as electronics, technology, and marketing materials. This fund will be ongoing through 2027 as we support these women in rebuilding their lives. We're also supporting these women in building a supportive tribe of heart-centered creative women who will mentor them as they move forward following this tragedy. TOGETHER WE RISE!
To learn the details of our fundraising campaign, click HERE.
To learn more about our beneficiaries for this fund, click HERE.
Our Palisades Story
I first arrived in Los Angeles in late 2013 after experiencing a year of homelessness and settled in Santa Monica. By the Summer of 2014 most of my days were spent in our neighboring community to the north, Pacific Palisades. I would ride my bike from my home across San Vicente Blvd, and down Entrada to the beach where I’d spend many days with my Merman. Soon I would discover all that made the Palisades special, the quaint shops and restaurants in the Village, the magical Lake Shrine with meditation gardens, swan and turtles, lots of turtles, and those glorious days of hiking Temescal Canyon via Gateway Park.
Although my LA story began at Tower 15 in Santa Monica, there is also a Tower 15 in the Palisades, on Will Rogers State Beach. It was there that I spent one fabulous Memorial Day with my Merman, the beach all to ourselves as the crowds headed to the more popular Santa Monica and Venice beaches. Afterwards, we wrapped up the day with friends having dinner at The Reel Inn, a locals’ favorite hub just north on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). I’ll never forget that first time. A wonderful time with friends, a great atmosphere, great food, and beautiful memories I’ll treasure always. Soon, The Reel Inn became the meeting spot for lunch with friends and out of town guests. It was in the perfect location, across from the secluded Topanga Beach and steps from Malibu. When I moved Dad from Maryland to California last year, I made sure I took him there, and now I’m so glad I did as our haven burned to the ground in the Palisades Fire.
Although my LA story began at Tower 15 in Santa Monica, there is also a Tower 15 in the Palisades, on Will Rogers State Beach. It was there that I spent one fabulous Memorial Day with my Merman, the beach all to ourselves as the crowds headed to the more popular Santa Monica and Venice beaches. Afterwards, we wrapped up the day with friends having dinner at The Reel Inn, a locals’ favorite hub just north on PCH (Pacific Coast Highway). I’ll never forget that first time. A wonderful time with friends, a great atmosphere, great food, and beautiful memories I’ll treasure always. Soon, The Reel Inn became the meeting spot for lunch with friends and out of town guests. It was in the perfect location, across from the secluded Topanga Beach and steps from Malibu. When I moved Dad from Maryland to California last year, I made sure I took him there, and now I’m so glad I did as our haven burned to the ground in the Palisades Fire.
That entire strip of local establishments across from Topanga Beach all perished in the fires, and yet the one spot across the street that remained was the Dan Eldon Center for Creative Activism, a beautiful space that also houses the nonprofit, Creative Visions. Back in 2014 I had the opportunity to meet Dan Eldon’s mom and Founder of the nonprofit, Kathy Eldon, a powerhouse creative genius who had turned tragedy into positive acts of service. We were both attending the MY HERO International Film Festival in Santa Monica as I was first embarking on a new career as a social impact filmmaker. I was so inspired by her story and her work that I knew I needed to stay in touch and learn everything I could from her and those at Creative Visions. In the coming years I had the opportunity to attend one of her SUNDOWNER events at the Center where I met so many other like-minded, heart-centered creatives and made amazing new connections. I loved their focus on social impact and passion for making a difference to create a better world for future generations. The more I learned, the more I felt drawn to also do my part. In 2019 when I launched my own production company, Tower 15 Productions, I did so with the focus of producing social impact documentaries that would raise awareness and inspire positive change in the world. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my gifts and talents this way, and for all those who have come into my life over the last decade to inspire me down this path, especially Kathy Eldon.
As an artist, one of my favorite haunts in the Palisades is the Getty Villa. I’ll never forget the very first visit back in 2013 when I was brand new to L.A. I visited with a group of new European friends who were staying at the same hostel as I was, and we loved every moment of this beautiful space overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The artwork, the gardens, the beautiful architecture, and of course, the views. It was a magical space, and I loved visiting every opportunity I had. Thankfully, the Villa and its grounds survived the fires unlike several surrounding structures. The reason, a state-of-the-art sprinkler system and amazing staff who remained behind putting out small fires that would pop up. It was about people coming together the same way neighbors came together to look after the Dan Eldon Center and neighboring houses.
The days that followed the initial fires in the Palisades were filled with so many emotions. At first, I was literally heart sick, and then shocked and angry at the devastation. But that anger quickly turned to gratitude for the memories that we’ll always have, and being able to spend time there with Dad. I’m SO grateful for that. Then followed the need to actually do something about it and support those in most need. I immediately reached out to colleagues who were on the ground in the fire areas, and we shared resources for those in need. My mindset also quickly changed to the rebuilding phase as I knew dwelling too long in the grief wasn’t beneficial. I needed to look forward, and as one who has lost everything a couple of times, I knew it could be done. As Angelenos, that’s simply what we do. We get knocked down. We get back up. We brush ourselves off, and we begin again. This time will be no different. Although this time, we do have a better appreciation for what is important in our lives. People. Community. Coming together as one, and it is TOGETHER that we will rise again.
Entrepreneurship Academy
Our online academy supports creative women transitioning from homelessness learn entrepreneurship skills to create businesses they love so they may share their gifts and talents with the world. We invite successful female entrepreneurs to join us in teaching our courses and continue to look for those who are passionate about giving back and paying it forward.
Our online academy supports creative women transitioning from homelessness learn entrepreneurship skills to create businesses they love so they may share their gifts and talents with the world. We invite successful female entrepreneurs to join us in teaching our courses and continue to look for those who are passionate about giving back and paying it forward.
Social Impact Documentary Filmmaking
Cali Gilbert is an award-winning filmmaker passionate about writing and directing social impact documentary films that help raise awareness of social issues impacting our world and creating positive change on our planet.
Cali Gilbert is an award-winning filmmaker passionate about writing and directing social impact documentary films that help raise awareness of social issues impacting our world and creating positive change on our planet.