ABOUT US
Our Mission
Zero Crisis provides immediate and long-term humanitarian aid to communities impacted by natural disasters.
History
In August 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a series of intense dry lightning storms ignited thousands of wildfires across the state of California. Over the course of four months, these wildfires consumed over 4.2 million acres, marking the largest, most destructive wildfire season ever recorded in California. Tens of thousands of structures were destroyed, entire communities were displaced, and countless lives were tragically lost.
Civilians reported “red and orange colors [filling] the sky and thick smoke [that] made it nearly impossible to breathe or see.”
Source: Joseph Serna, Los Angeles Times, 2020
Amid unprecedented public health restrictions due to the pandemic and limited emergency resources, first responders––like firefighters––worked tirelessly, facing immense challenges and sacrificing their lives to protect the land and its people. Through nation-wide assistance and coordinated efforts, full containment of the major fires was eventually achieved, many months later.
In the wake of devastation on an unforeseen scale, the founding members of what is now known as Zero Crisis, who were directly impacted by the wildfires, felt the calling to act immediately.
“[A]nything that we can do […] it may be difficult with the circumstances going on around the world, but we can’t stay silent and act like nothing is happening. Lives are being taken away.”
Despite having limited resources, the founding team––comprised of individuals with extensive experience in animal rescue––set a clear objective: to rescue as many stray and injured animals as possible from areas affected by wildfires.
“As we rescued, cared for, and found forever homes for these animals, our team began to recognize a broader, critical need within the community at large. Animal welfare is of great importance and assisting stray animals was a momentous beginning, especially in the midst of pandemic lockdowns. However, this was only part of a much larger picture. And we must address the greater needs.”
What began as a local, small-scale response to the wildfires evolved into a mission-driven nonprofit organization that now has its eyes set on reaching communities across the globe.
Tragedy gave rise to purpose and uncertainty paved the way for the team to step into the unknown and undertake what was necessary to enact change.
Inspired by the work of other community-focused organizations that spurred hope in times of uncertainty, Founder and CEO Jennifer Wang, sought an overlooked intersection between natural disasters and the deadly pandemic that affected billions of individuals worldwide.
She identified the critical gap in disaster response: the lack of access to hygienic care.
Guided by her long-standing commitment for simplicity and integrity, Wang launched “Disasters Across the States: Hope Heal, Recover,” which is now the organization’s core initiative. This ongoing disaster relief and recovery program provides hygienic care to communities affected by disasters with the goal of distributing health-conscious, environmentally-friendly hygienic care products that are safe, sustainable, and free from toxic chemicals.
Although the 2020 California Wildfires prompted significant reforms within California’s emergency response system, natural disasters continue to destruct and destroy communities worldwide. Since our founding, Zero Crisis has expanded its services to support communities affected by various forms of disasters across the United States–and our team is on a mission to serve communities worldwide.
Why Zero Crisis?
Our vision is for the cherished lives of our communities and animals to thrive in a world without crisis, hence, Zero Crisis. Our work aims to bring hope, healing, and recovery to victims of natural disasters.