Boulder Creek resident Tonia Weakland stood before a gathering of volunteers, supporters and friends on July 29 to celebrate a years-long effort: the opening of a new front door.
Weakland was one of hundreds who lost their home in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire in August 2020, enduring not only the hardship of losing everything they owned, but also fighting through bureaucratic red tape and endless county roadblocks to once again have a roof over their heads.
Now, Weakland has the key to a 988-square-foot, two-bedroom, one-bathroom home that love, determination and community built, and she’s excited to get back to living her life with meaning and gratitude.
As she said in her address to the crowd, she didn’t climb this mountain on her own.
Tonje Wold-Switzer, executive director of the Long Term Recovery Group of Santa Cruz County, became a sounding board, friend and advocate as she and Weakland worked to rebuild Weakland’s home with the help of other nonprofit organizations. The effort required to undertake such a mammoth task wasn’t new to Wold-Switzer, who lost her own home in the fire.
Beginning in 2021, almost immediately after the flames had been extinguished, Wold-Switzer began advocating for local residents who were uncertain as to how to navigate the exhausting process of starting over. She could be found at various community gatherings, offering guidance and insight as to how to maneuver through the process needed to rebuild a home and a life, and she quickly became a beacon for Santa Cruz Mountains residents who were overwhelmed, emotionally raw and looking for guidance.
In addition to Wold-Switzer’s team, Weakland was supported by numerous other agencies. High Performance Electric and Holm Drywall donated labor; Nielsen Studios, Good360, Mennonite Disaster Services, ToolBank USA and the Community Recovery Team donated materials; volunteers from Costanoa High School’s Construction Tech Class, Disciples of Christ, Dykes with Drills, Sierra Service Project, Mercy High School of Burlingame and Team Rubicon helped with the rebuild; and local partners Habitat For Humanity of Monterey Bay, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and Bear Creek Recreation Center provided additional assistance.
Funding came from the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, Home Depot Foundation and Valley Churches United, all of which helped to reduce an initial cost of $700,000 to just over $250,000.
Danny Reber, executive director of Valley Churches United, was on hand at the ceremony to applaud the community-driven approach to the new home.
“We were really blessed to be a conduit for people who needed help after the fire,” Reber said. “Our community stepped up in a big way, and because people trusted Valley Churches United, donations poured in not just locally, but from across the country. There are a lot of stories, but seeing a home finally rebuilt is momentous. It’s a reminder that even years later, recovery is still happening.”
Reber explained that every case, including Weakland’s, is a collaboration between Valley Churches United, the Long Term Recovery Group and the Community Foundation.
“We’d look at each family’s needs case by case and figure out together how to make rebuilding possible,” he said. “The money people donated specifically for the CZU Fire has now all been spent helping survivors. It actually feels good to know those funds accomplished exactly what donors intended — helping people rebuild their lives. It’s really gratifying to see the result of how our donations are used.”
Wold-Switzer addressed the crowd with passion.
“Today, we stand on ground that represents hope, perseverance and the unstoppable power of a community that works together to overcome obstacles. This is a testament to the old-fashioned barn-raising mentality. When a neighbor’s home fell, the community showed up with tool belts, hammers, donated materials and open hearts,” she said, gesturing to Weakland’s home, which is adorned with repurposed materials that lend a comforting feel to the interior.
Floors are made of cork, lending a warm, eco-friendly environment. The bathroom floor is composed of repurposed tiles, allowing for a bright and charming look. Light fixtures were donated, and the kitchen and bathroom cabinets were custom-built for the space.
Kevin Heuer, director of engagement and impact for the Community Foundation of Santa Cruz County, spoke about his agency’s involvement with the rebuild.
“Looking up at this structure, you realize that it’s so much more than just home. When the fire happened, we were told, ‘Be ready — this is a 10-year project.’ Years after the headlines fade, families still need help getting to the finish line,” Heuer said. “It’s been amazing to witness what’s possible when a community’s compassion matches the persistence of people determined to rebuild their lives. I hope this home stands as a reminder that even after devastating loss, a community that cares can rebuild not just structures, but futures.”
For Weakland, the day was emotionally charged and gratifying.
“The CZU Lightning Complex Fire tore through these mountains, consuming more than 86,000 acres in a matter of days. Nearly 1,000 structures were destroyed, including my home. Out of the 697 single-family homes lost in Santa Cruz County, only about one-third have been successfully rebuilt. Today, I can say I’m one of that lucky group,” she said. “When the smoke cleared, the true battle began. We didn’t just fight to rebuild — we fought government bureaucracy, endless insurance battles, skyrocketing costs and countless roadblocks.”
She added that many families were forced to walk away, unable to “bear the sheer weight of everything that came next.”
“There were moments when the mountain to recovery looked too steep to climb. But I didn’t climb this mountain alone. This house stands today because of a relentless community that refused to let me — or any of us — give up,” Weakland said. “Welcome to my new home.”
