Sixteen months after the Eaton Fire ravaged the city of Altadena and left an indelible mark on surrounding foothill communities along the San Gabriel Mountains, three high school students are using basketball and mental wellness support to help their community heal from the lingering effects of the tragedy.
Healing Hoops Altadena, founded by Maranatha High School juniors Ryden Shiozaki, Ethan Kim, and Ryder Wong, will be hosting its first free Basketball and Wellness Camp for children, ages 8-12, affected by the Eaton Fire from July 13 to 17 at the Pasadena Tabernacle Corps Community Center, 960 E. Walnut St.
The daily camp will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Each day will feature a basketball workshop and activities designed to instill calm and creativity in the youngsters, such as art therapy and yoga. Any level of basketball experience is welcome, from first-timers to avid players.
“We want to use basketball to help kids in Altadena who were impacted by the fire,” explained Ryden. “Basketball has always been a constant in our lives, and we feel it can be a tool for healing, connection and building confidence.”
The reason behind the founding of Healing Hoops Altadena is a very personal one for the three, especially Ryden. His home was completely burned to the ground, and he and his family lost all their possessions. He experienced massive loss but also an outpouring of support from his community, family, and friends, which is why they want to help younger kids with a fun, well-rounded approach.
They have received support from the Dragon Kim Foundation, a California-based nonprofit that helps high school students create distinctive social impact projects in their communities. Ryden, Ethan, and Ryder are members of the foundation’s 2026 Fellowship class.
Healing Hoops Altadena will end the week with a free wrap-up event. It is open to the public on July 18 from 12 to 3 p.m. at the Pasadena Boys and Girls Club, Mackenzie-Scott Branch, located at 2020 N. Fair Oaks. The event will include basketball, wellness activities, guest speakers, and a raffle. A photographer will be available to take complimentary family portraits to replace those lost in the fire.
Sponsorships are still available for organizations interested in being involved in the daily camp or workshops. Particularly appreciated are lunch sponsors.
The mission of Healing Hoops is to combine fun, skill-building basketball games with activities that support social-emotional wellness, confidence and personal growth to remind children that even after loss, healing and hope are possible. For more information, visit @healinghoopsaltadena on Instagram.
Ryden Shiozaki is in his junior year at Maranatha High School in Pasadena. In 2025, he not only witnessed the destruction from the Eaton Fire in his neighborhood but completely lost his home and possessions. While he is rebuilding his life, he is also participating in a variety of community outreach programs to help others who are also healing from the tragedy. He was named a 2026 Fellow of the Dragon Kim Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Orange County, which supports high school students in creating social service projects for their local communities. Through founding Healing Hoops Altadena, Ryden is combining both of his passions, basketball and community service.
Ethan Kim is a junior at Maranatha High School in Pasadena. He found a way to bring his passions for athletics and leadership together with community service in co-founding Healing Hoops Altadena with his friends Ryder and Ryden. Having played basketball in community leagues, and school teams from a young age, Ethan is using the skills and teamwork he learned to teach the participants of Healing Hoops Altadena those same skills. He was named a 2026 Fellow of the Dragon Kim Foundation.
Ryder Wong is a junior at Maranatha High School in Pasadena and is a 2026 Fellow of the Dragon Kim Foundation. It is his passion for sports, particularly basketball, that led him to create Healing Hoops Altadena with friends Ryden and Ethan. Through his involvement in service, leadership, and sports, he is committed to making a positive impact in his community.