LOS ANGELES — Just weeks ago, the 9ThirtyLA venue in downtown’s Arts District was known as a trendy spot for events, its wooden beams and concrete floors serving as the perfect backdrop for concerts, corporate parties and more.

But after fires began to devastate the Los Angeles region, community organizers and a wave of volunteers turned an industrial venue into a makeshift refuge, with beds and tables filled with everyday essentials, like hygiene products and clothing. With help from local…