Celebrities Take Big Steps to Support Hillsides Foster Soles

During Foster Care Awareness Month in May, we held our Second Annual Hillsides Foster Soles Kickoff Party to launch our online auction of celebrity autographed shoes. More than 150 celebrities participated by donating their shoes, which drew a crowd of 200 at our sold-out event at Bar Celona in Pasadena. The auction, powered by www.clothesoffourback.org, was held from May 4 through 20 and raised more than $27,000 to help us provide the extras for the vulnerable children that we serve in our residential treatment program.

Celebrities like Dr. Drew Pinksy, Marlee Matlin, Jane Kaczmarek, “Bold and the Beautiful“ soap stars and others lent their support by stepping out and attending our event. I had the chance to address the media and speak to the celebrities about Hillsides and foster care issues that impact our children. “Extra” and “On the Red Carpet” among other media outlets came out to our benefit and brought additional attention to our cause that creates safe places for children at risk and their families living in Los Angeles County.View our photos.

Our vulnerable children and families that live in Los Angeles need so much support during these difficult and challenging times in their lives. May is a time when we can draw some attention from the media, but every day is a time when they need us. You can help support our work and mission to create safe places for them so they can achieve a successful family environment. Learn how and visit our wish list at www.Hillsides.org.

A New Era for Hillsides

Coming to Los Angeles from another multi-service children’s charity in Northern California, Sunny Hills Services, I am excited about my position as Hillsides’ chief executive officer. The Board worked for over two years to identify a successor to John Hitchcock, who retired in March after nearly forty years of service to Hillsides.

Hillsides has a long tradition at the forefront of services for vulnerable children, youth and families. As a leader in this field, I’m excited about the opportunity to be supportive of strengthening Hillsides’ mission in creating safe places and continuing to advocate for the needs of these children and their families.

While at Sunny Hills Services I outlined a multiple year transition plan that increased community-based programs, addressing the weakening demands for residential services, as well as positioning the charity for further development, increased service capacity and strengthened its financial viability. Other previous leadership roles have included an appointment as executive vice president and chief operating officer at Para Los Niños in Los Angeles, director of planning and director for community services at Roman Catholic Diocese of Fall River, as well as executive director and administrator of St. Vincent’s Home in Fall River, Massachusetts.

I plan to continue an active role in advocating at the county, state and national level for the development of additional funding for Kinship Care, mental health services, supportive housing for transitional aged youth and medical insurance for vulnerable children and youth.