Out of Ashes, Hope Rises: Community Support Sparks Change for the Auxiliary Thrift Shop
On January 8, the Eaton Fire swept through Altadena and destroyed our beloved Boys Republic Thrift Store. The fire reduced the store to rubble, erasing decades of service, memories, and impact. The loss was deeply personal for our students, staff, volunteers, and community. It was more than a building—it was a beacon of second chances and a cornerstone of our mission.
Since 1986, the thrift stores—staffed entirely by the Pasadena Auxiliary—have raised over $3 million in support of Boys Republic and Girls Republic. The store offers job training, generates crucial funding for our student programs, and proudly symbolizes what can be achieved when compassion meets commitment.
The Pasadena Auxiliary's work began in 1911, when Kate Fowler and a small group of women started selling eggs and magazine subscriptions to support youth rehabilitation. The "World's Largest Rummage Sale" evolved into a permanent thrift shop in Altadena from these humble beginnings. For nearly 40 years, it was a source of support, opportunity, and community.
Its sudden loss was heartbreaking. But even in the ashes, we found something remarkable: a powerful surge of support from near and far. We are humbled, honored, and deeply moved by how our community has rallied around us. Longtime supporters reached out immediately. New friends emerged. Financial and material donations poured in, and volunteers stepped forward, ready to help.
In a moment of crisis, what we found was unity.
In the face of adversity, it reminds us that our mission does not reside in merely a building —it lives in people.
Out of ashes, hope rises: In the face of adversity, we've received something extraordinary: the chance to reimagine the future together.
With the generous support of our community, we are actively planning to build a new thrift store on our main campus in Chino Hills.
This store will serve as a fundraising arm and a dynamic vocational training site for our students. It will offer real-world experience in retail operations, customer service, and responsibilities that are crucial for personal and professional growth.
More than a replacement, this will be a reinvention—a space built with purpose, from the ground up, where our students can work, earn, and grow—right where they live and learn.
In the meantime, we've established a temporary thrift outlet to assist employees and families affected by the fire. We continue to welcome donations, and our team is working hard to ensure a seamless path toward long-term rebuilding.
The loss of the Altadena store poignantly reminds us how fragile things can be. But it's also a testament to our strength when we come together. We have seen firsthand how adversity can spark generosity, how sorrow can deepen solidarity, and how the end of one chapter can open the door to another, filled with renewed purpose.
We thank everyone who has donated, called, or reached out. Your kindness has lifted us, and your belief in our mission strengthens our resolve.
Boys Republic's mission is based on the idea that every young person deserves a second chance, regardless of background. That belief remains at the core of who we are. Thanks to you, we are not just rebuilding—we are building better, wiser, and with more heart than ever before.
Together, we will rise—not because of this loss but because of what has revealed itself: a resilient community, a lasting mission, and a future full of promise.
