Fire & Fierce: Teen Survivor Builds Nonprofit and Hosts Prom for 400
At just 14, Avery Colvert turned tragedy into empowerment, launching Altadena Girls to uplift fire-affected youth
In the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, 14-year-old Avery Colvert did something extraordinary. While still reeling from the loss of her neighborhood and the partial destruction of her school, Eliot Arts Magnet Academy, Avery founded a nonprofit to support other young people impacted by the fire.
She called it Altadena Girls, a community for teen girls and gender-expansive youth navigating grief, identity, and recovery.
On May 24, 2025, that vision came to life in glitter and sequins. Altadena Girls hosted the “Glitter and Glamour” Prom, welcoming 400 attendees from grades 8 through 12. The event included a free prom shop stocked with donated dresses, shoes, accessories, and makeup from major brands including Skims, Rare Beauty, and Huda Beauty.
Celebrities like Paris Hilton, Mindy Kaling, and Ariana Grande amplified the event with messages of support, and local leaders showed up in full force.
Avery’s leadership has drawn national attention. She received the TIME100 Impact Award, and Altadena Girls was named the 2025 California Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 25 by Senator Sasha Renée Pérez.
The organization plans to open a community center in Old Town Pasadena—a dedicated space for mental health care, creative programs, and empowerment for youth rising from disaster.
Learn more at altadenagirls.org
Avery is a reminder of what recovery can look like when it starts with the people most affected.