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What happens when everything around you burns to the ground, but your home miraculously survives? For Caroline Paules, this wasn't just a hypothetical question but her lived reality in the aftermath of the devastating 2025 Altadena fires. Standing amid the ruins of what was once a vibrant neighborhood in Jane's Village, Caroline made the remarkable decision to stay, not despite the destruction, but because of it.
Caroline's story weaves together multiple threads of resilience. As co-founder of Casa Nova, she's working to address California's housing crisis through innovative 270-square-foot prefabricated homes. Originally designed for people exiting homelessness, these structures have unexpectedly found new purpose as potential emergency housing for those displaced by disaster. "A lot of us are facing this really rough construction timeline that is scaring people away from their homes," Caroline explains, highlighting how her company's mission evolved in response to immediate community needs.
The heart of this conversation, however, centers on community bonds that strengthen rather than break under pressure. Caroline describes neighbors stopping their cars to talk when they see her outside, or the spontaneous gathering of residents to sit with someone watching their property being cleared – like when she shared a beer with a neighbor while watching the demolition of a fireplace. These small moments of connection reveal how resilience often manifests not in grand gestures but in quiet companionship during difficult times. As Caroline reflects on what sustains her through this challenging rebuilding process, she points to her faith: "Neighborhoods can be destroyed and things can burn and people can leave...but God is very steadfast." This unwavering foundation gives her the strength to remain planted where others might flee, committed to supporting her community through what experts predict could be a decade-long recovery.
Listen now and consider: What would you do if disaster struck your neighborhood? Would you stay to rebuild or start fresh elsewhere? Join the conversation about resilience, community, and finding hope amid devastation.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks. Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity: visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack. We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

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