The American Red Cross has not confirmed it is closing its evacuation center at the Pasadena Convention Center this Saturday, contrary to published reports, officials said on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
“Right now, we do not have a close date at all,” said Angel Sauceda, regional communications director for the nonprofit.
She said the organization has no plans to close without first making sure each person sheltered at the center has a place to go.
“If and when that happens, we will notify shelter residents,” Sauceda said. “We will be with them every step of the way. It wouldn’t be us closing the doors and they’re out.”
When the evacuation center closes, shelter residents will leave with a transition plan in place, tailored to each person or family’s situation, officials said.
At an L.A. County briefing on Tuesday, Supervisor Kathryn Barger reiterated that assurance, saying the Red Cross and the county will work together to find interim housing for shelter residents.
She also mentioned Feb. 17 as a possible closing date for the center.
“This is a temporary shelter, it has never been the intent to have the Pasadena Convention Center be a permanent place for housing,” Barger said.
Questions and concerns about American Red Cross’ management of the evacuation center brought community activists and evacuees together Tuesday, with advocates saying the more than 200 people are living in a center that is disorganized and is exacerbating their trauma.
Fahren James, founder of Black Lives Matter South Pasadena, is demanding that city officials find an alternate evacuation center before it closes and disclose conditions at the center as reported by evacuees still living there.
James said the Red Cross has failed to provide consistent and reliable support to shelter residents and that the city has abandoned them.
At a Feb. 3 meeting at Pasadena City Hall, evacuee Jean Bob said staff turnaround at the center is so rapid and constant it is creating confusion and emotional distress.
“The person you talk to about your life story today is going to be someone else tomorrow, and then tomorrow and then tomorrow and then you go numb,” Jean Bob said. “It’s absolutely debilitating.”
Barger said she has not heard reports of mismanagement of the evacuation center, which she has visited several times.
“I have to say I’ve seen anything but mismanagement as it related to the quality of services that have been provided to people who need it the most,” she said.
Lisa Derderian, spokesperson for the city of Pasadena, said the city entrusted the management of the shelter to the Red Cross four days after the Eaton Fire erupted since it is an organization with decades of experience in disaster relief, shelter operations and mass care.
“Transitions are always part of the shelter process, and the Red Cross is dedicated to making sure no one is left without options,” she said in a statement. “They will continue providing shelter and support until every household has a plan in place for what comes next. While Feb. 8 was set as the goal for transitioning the shelter at the convention center, we want to make it clear that no one will be left behind or shut out.”
Derderian said Red Cross staff on-site can address questions from shelter residents.
“In moments like these, accurate information is critical,” she said. “Misinformation and rumors don’t help the healing process.”