When life presents daunting challenges, it can be difficult to find the strength to persevere, let alone maintain a positive outlook. But when Wilmar, Lead Cook at Providence Little Company of Mary in Torrance, California, lost his home in the January 2025 Eaton Fire, he didn’t crumble under the weight of loss. Instead, his determination and positivity have become an inspiration to everyone around him. Here are five things we can learn from Wilmar about resilience in our daily lives and during times of crisis.

1. Approach overwhelming situations with manageable steps

The Eaton Fire, one of the most destructive in California’s history, caught many in Altadena, California, unaware with its swift arrival, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds. The night before his family evacuated, Wilmar recalls driving home from work and seeing the mountain ablaze in the distance, but when his kids asked if they were in danger, he reassured them that the fires were far away. They prepared for the next day and went to sleep.

Wilmar woke to alarms at 2 a.m. and mandatory evacuation orders. He recalls the scene vividly. “When I opened the door, there was a lot of smoke. A lot,” he shares. Despite the danger, Wilmar managed to remain calm and approach the situation with manageable steps: gather only the essentials, leave quickly and secure temporary housing. Wilmar’s levelheaded thinking meant that his family could safely navigate out of the neighborhood by car—something that would have been impossible just a short time later. Due to the nature of the fire, many others were forced to evacuate on foot.

2. Do your best to stay optimistic.

Little did Wilmar know that the fire would consume not just his home, an additional car and belongings, but also irreplaceable memories. “My daughter cried about her makeup,” he said. “She told me, ‘You don’t understand, these are gifts people gave me.’”

Initially, his family sought refuge with family. Then they moved to the first of several temporary Airbnb homes that didn’t accept pets. Wilmar had to make the difficult decision to rehome his children’s beloved dogs.

“It’s so hard, you know?” he shares. “That’s the part that was worst for my kids. But the dogs are with close people, so my kids can see them at least.”

Months later, Wilmar says the family is doing okay, but everyone misses home. “The kids had their own room. We had a lotta space in the back and the front yards. We had two big avocado trees; we always had avocados there, lemons and tomatoes. We miss that.”

Even in the face of such loss, Wilmar still manages to model optimism for his family, reassuring them that everything will be okay, reminding them to stay optimistic. He says, “At least we’re safe… It’s all I kept thinking, we’re safe.”

3. Seek support from your community.

A dedicated team member who’d never called out of work at Providence before the fires, Wilmar considered going in for his shift the day he evacuated after ensuring his family was safe. “I told my manager, ‘If you don’t have nobody to cover, I can go.’” His manager insisted he stay with his family, offering the first gesture in what would become an outpouring of support from his Providence community.

“My bosses immediately started getting donations for clothes for my kids,” Wilmar recalls. They also connected him with resources for securing natural disaster relief from Providence. “They just asked me a couple of questions. I sent a couple of pictures, as well. And they gave me a check by my payroll.” He says his managers also connected him with resources from FEMA and Red Cross.

At the same time, individual generosity shone brightly. “My coworkers got together; they sent me money and texts to check on me,” says Wilmar. “It was overwhelming.”

4. Practice self-care.

A busy husband and father with a host of new worries to consider, Wilmar spends his time outside of work primarily with his children, as well as focusing on what’s next. However, he also makes time for his own passions, which helps him de-stress and maintain a balance.

He preserves his mental and physical health by practicing contact sports he began in Guatemala, such as Taekwondo, boxing, judo and MMA. Wilmar says with a laugh, “I still practice here, but my body doesn’t respond like before. I do it for the health, not the training.”

Wilmar also makes time to listen to music and play guitar. “Back in Guatemala, a lot of people listen to rock and roll in Spanish or in English,” he says. “I remember, I started practicing the guitar with the Nirvana songs. And then after that, Metallica songs. I didn’t speak English, but I don’t know, I loved it. I just put the songs in Google Translate to see what it says.” He adds with a laugh, “And then I played it.”

5. Set goals for the future.

Wilmar’s life has fundamentally changed since the fires—but despite the hardship, instead of dwelling on his family’s loss, he sets goals for the future.

One goal is to find a permanent residence. After bouncing between family’s houses and multiple short-term rentals, sometimes for just a couple of weeks at a time, Wilmar hopes to buy a home again someday. “But it’s extremely expensive to buy a home or a condo here in California. There are a lot of people with the same problem.” So, for now, his family is renting. “And then let’s see what’s coming next.”

Another goal is to advance professionally. In the year that he’s been at Little Company of Mary, Wilmar has grown from Cook to Lead Cook—and he’s not done yet. “ I like to learn,” he says. “I never say, ‘No, I don’t like that position.’ I see the opportunities and I have the motivation and I’m going to keep going. Managing food service, that’s my next goal. It’s amazing because they never stop you. They let you keep growing if you want.”

His resilience has not gone unnoticed. Coworkers frequently talk about his positive attitude and determination. “Wilmar never complains,” shared one colleague. “Even after losing everything, he shows up to work ready to learn and help out.”

Wilmar continues to be a role model for his peers, teaching them not to take life’s blessings for granted. While he and his family are still rebuilding, his story reminds us that even in the darkest moments, a resilient spirit can bring us back to the light.

How to help

If you’d like to support caregivers, physicians and neighbors throughout the Los Angeles area who were affected by the LA fires, consider donating to one of our LA Fire Emergency Response Funds.  Or, donate specifically to the Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Centers Fund and click the box to dedicate your donation in honor of our resilient and inspiring caregiver, Wilmar.