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** Here’s a “One Time” — your monthly newsletter covering
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** all things ARC!
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** In your January 2026 note, you will find:
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* One Year Since the LA Fires — an op-ed in CalMatters by ARC member and formerly incarcerated firefighter, Jose Angel Amezcua
* Farisha’s Ride Home — ARC staff member Jessica writes about picking up Farisha from the California Institution for Women (CIW) and reuniting her with her one-month-old daughter.
* Prince Harry Visits VTC — read about Prince Harry’s recent visit to meet the formerly incarcerated firefighters at ARC’s Ventura Training Center!
* January Highlights and Upcoming Events
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On a cold January day at our fire camp in Northern California, I learned my crew was being sent south. On the bus, I kept wondering why they would need our help with a fire in the winter.
As we got closer, I saw towering black smoke rising miles into the sky and spreading across the horizon.
For the next three weeks, I was one of hundreds of incarcerated firefighters who helped battle and contain the deadly LA fires. During the blazes, I moved through ash-covered Eaton Canyon, creating fire breaks, hauling sandbags to prevent mudslides and clearing fallen trees and debris in Altadena.
Before then, I had only fought wildland fires. I had never seen such devastation in a city. In neighborhoods I saw homes and structures reduced to rubble and people trying to salvage whatever they could. It was heartbreaking to witness the destruction.
But it was also a stark reminder that I was right where I was supposed to be — helping to save the communities I had once harmed.
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE ([link removed])
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Farisha was picked up by ARC staff member, Jessica, from the California Institution for Women (CIW) prison, and reunited with her one-month old daughter. As told by Jessica:
Farisha paroled from CIW and went home to her daughter’s house in Pittsburg, CA. Farisha spoke about recently giving birth to her one-month-old baby. She shared that she was anxious to hold her. Farisha spoke about the pain of delivering in custody and not being able to take care of her baby.
She spoke about her addiction and homelessness. She regrets the choices she made throughout the years and said, ‘This time I am going to get help.’ Farisha is going to join parenting classes and work toward reunification with her other children. Farisha wants to be a member at ARC and shared that she felt better about herself when she started learning coping skills to improve her life.
Farisha sat in the backseat smelling her baby’s beanie that she was delivered in and you could see the anxiety she was experiencing. She walked into the store to shop and instantly went to the baby isle, insisting on buying stuff for her 1-month-old daughter. She was able to purchase a phone and facetimed to see her baby sleeping. Instantly, her face began to glow with a smile.
Farisha knocked patiently at her door, looking nervous, before her daughter answered. They briefly hugged and she asked to see her baby. Her baby was asleep and I left her safely to return to her baby girl.
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Prince Harry visited ARC’s Ventura Training Center in December to learn about our innovative program that helps formerly incarcerated people continue their firefighting careers.
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ([link removed])
** January Highlights!
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Giving from the HART
We held a clothing drive and giveaway at our LA office, where our HART team collected donations and invited our community to stop by to receive free clothes.
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ARC Barbershop
We opened our very own barbershop! Members can now get free haircuts and learn the art of barbering at our LA office.
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ARC Make Up Event
ARC hosted a makeup workshop where members learned how to use products they may not have encountered before—and, more importantly, took time to care for themselves.
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ARC Women Visit State Capitol
A group of ARC women toured the State Capitol and received training to advocate for positive policy change.
** Upcoming Events!
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1/30-2/1/26: ARC ([link removed]) Annual Retreat: ARC’s annual two-day retreat for members, staff, and allies, is being held at the Painted Turtle Camp in Lake Hughes, CA. This is a time for our community to find joy, relaxation, and connection in nature. Photos and description to come!
2/8/26: Superbowl Sunday at the LA Office: We will be hosting a Super Bowl watch party for members and staff at our LA office!
TBD: Youth Dept. Trip to Descanso Gardens: Our youth dept. will be hosting a trip for ARC youth members to visit the beautiful Descanso Gardens in the Verdugo hills.
Thank you for checking out our January newsletter!
As always, please reply to this email with any questions or feedback. We love hearing from you.
Until next time!
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