The Center for Community
Opening in partnership with the Los Angeles County Development Authority and architect Shigeru Ban, CORE’s Center for Community (“the Center”) helps community members impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires address the social and emotional toll of the disaster, especially as many families still aren’t back in their homes after more than a year. We call this the human side of recovery: offering mental health services, hosting community events, and overall providing a welcoming space for neighbors to recover and heal together.
Beyond disaster recovery, the Center will help bring back programming for seniors and children, highlight local businesses, and spark new ideas for reimagining the town. Ultimately, it’s a space designed to help residents and the community truly thrive.
To receive technical services like legal clinics, disaster case management, and resource navigation, visit The Hub in Altadena.
The Center is set to open in late 2026 at 2231 N Lincoln Ave.
Get Involved
The Center is being built for the community,
so we want to hear from you.
We’re currently gathering input from community members and leaders on programming, events, and how the space can best serve Altadena and everyone impacted by the fires. You can share your thoughts in several ways, including through in-person focus groups or an anonymous online comment box. By the fall, we will compile all feedback into a report and present it at a community town hall. Click below to stay connected and make your voice heard.
Partner Spotlight
We’re honored to partner with acclaimed Japanese architecture firm Shigeru Ban, who generously donated architectural plans for the Center.
Shigeru Ban is known worldwide for designing dignified, functional spaces in the wake of disaster, dating back to the 2011 tsunami in Fukushima and, more recently, the 2025 earthquake in Noto, Japan. His signature approach uses shipping containers and standard construction materials to create low-cost, sustainable community spaces that adapt to each location they’re built in. The Center in Altadena is no exception. We’re building with the highest standards to make this a welcoming and comfortable space for you and your neighbors.
FAQs
How did the Center come to be?
The lot at 2231 N Lincoln Ave in Altadena has been empty since 1984. After the fires, Los Angeles County, which owns the land through the Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA), decided to repurpose it for post-fire recovery. They selected CORE, an LA-based nonprofit, to lease the land. Soon after, CORE connected with Japanese firm Shigeru Ban Architects, who generously donated architectural plans to build a space for the lot.
I heard that the Center will use shipping containers as part of the building. Is that true?
Shipping containers are a signature part of architect Shigeru Ban’s humanitarian relief design concept, which he has deployed after disasters around the world, including the 2011 tsunami in Fukushima. The containers used for the Center will be treated with specialty rust-resistant paint and carefully modified to ensure structural integrity and safety. The project also meets all relevant LA Department of Building and Safety regulations.
What is the difference between the Center and the Eaton Fire Collaborative (EFC)?
CORE is a part of the EFC, and we work closely with them on many projects. There is one distinguishing factor. While you can go to the EFC to receive resources related to rebuilding, the Center is reserved for community gatherings and activities that help folks relax and reconnect with their neighbors.
