Arroyo Enchantment

Pasadena is an extraordinary community in many ways. Nestled in the foothills, Pasadena has provided a refuge from the hassle of Los Angeles from its very beginning. You get a sense of its allure from the top of the arroyo looking down to the city in the distance. Lining the arroyo canyon are wonderful wooded hills dotted with beautiful estates. It was at such an estate that the annual H100 Farm to Table event celebrated its third anniversary.

From the citrus and Zen gardens to the infinity pool overlooking the arroyo, two long family-style tables were adorned with simple, lemon bouquets waiting to welcome guests. Set at the home of Mark and Phaedra Ledbetter, the grounds of this magnificent estate illustrated the volunteer group’s philosophy of providing the dinner guests with an evening that supported a food culture made up of fresh, locally grown, seasonal items. 

Alexandra Poer Sheridan of Alexandra's Table created a feast incorporating many of the fruits, vegetables and herbs available to her from the estate’s garden, as well as sourcing local ranches for fresh, grass fed meats.  During the cocktail hour, hands passed hors d’oeuvres were paired with refreshing libations.

Aside from being an extraordinary event in a magnificent setting, it was an opportunity for us to, once again, share with our supporters Hillsides’ compelling mission. Jay Bechtol, director of Hillsides Education Center, addressed the challenges of providing much needed, but woefully funded, individualized educational services to children and youth who have been significantly traumatized. In spite of the challenges, our successful interventions have made such a difference in the lives of the students served at the education center, allowing them to achieve academically, improve their behaviors and return confidently to their local schools. These interventions have allowed these students to, once again, take their place within their homes after years of feeling alienated and marginalized.

Phaedra Ledbetter summed it up best when she encouraged those in attendance to share from their bounty to support Hillsides’ efforts to provide a bountiful future for all we serve.

We thank the Ledbetters for their great hospitality and we are grateful indeed for all those who joined us for this enchanted event and made it possible. This is yet another example of many who join with us as we walk along with those we serve on a path to a fuller life. Get more information about our service initiatives and how you can help us together on the path.

Photo credit: Dana Pepper Bouton

Teacher of the Year

One of the hallmarks of Hillsides is the longevity of its staff. This past week we celebrated the 30^th anniversary of one of our teachers, Debi Szilagi-Johnson. As one of the very first teachers at Hillsides Education Center, Debi, like no one else, can tell the story of the school’s evolution, attempting to be responsive to the constantly changing needs of its students.

Recently, flooding in the school building impacted Debi’s classroom. As I walked through the school assessing the damage, it was clear to me that Debi was very upset. I attempted to reassure her that we would replace what had been damaged, but soon I realized what upset her more than anything else. It was not the supplies that could easily be replaced, but rather it was the “priceless” mementos of the past thirty years that were irreplaceable. Aside from being a great teacher, she is de facto our archivist, cataloguing the many pieces of treasure from the last thirty years. These treasures in her classroom told the story not only of her career and the evolution of instruction at the school, but more importantly served as the repository for the memorabilia of countless students.

Inevitably when alums return to visit, they make their way to Debi’s classroom to recall those formative experiences and, once again, take pride in the achievements they were able to make while at HEC. She is one of those memorable teachers that leave an imprint on the lives of those she instructs, an indelible mark that lasts a life time…a truly great teacher!

Debi’s style is a great example of the approach that we take at Hillsides with all those we serve–to be an essential resource for them, driven by a desire to see them achieve success. This year’s annual fund appeal, Together on the Path, reflects our hope that those we serve will move beyond the trauma they have experienced to being restored to an unencumbered and full life.

This great mission requires resources that go beyond the public funding we receive. Hillsides Education Center alone requires about $250,000 a year to maintain the quality instruction it provides because of the growing funding gap resulting from significant cuts to public education.

Support Debi and so many other dedicated staff members like her by contributing to our annual appeal. Your support makes a big difference in our efforts to together walk the path that leads to achievement and success for all we serve. Thank you!

Commencement 2012

With the largest class of graduates in recent history, 2012 is a banner year for Hillsides Education Center. Six students who participated in commencement exercises last Thursday joined three peers who received their high school diplomas in January. In addition to the high school graduates, 14 8th grade graduates had their own celebration on June 1^st. These celebrations are made possible by the extraordinary commitment of their teachers and classroom staff, led by Jay Bechtol, a longtime Hillsides staff member and director of the Education Center. It is their commitment and unwavering belief in the potential of these students that make it all possible. Our hats are off to all the graduates who have indeed lived up to the great expectations that have been placed upon them. 

This is a time to celebrate the achievements of the graduates.  I am happy to cheer them on from the side lines and honored to be called upon to confer the diplomas. As I milled about the post graduation celebration, the mother of one of the graduates came up to me to introduce herself and then proceeded to tell me how grateful she is for all that her son has achieved while at Hillsides. He joined us and she continued to acknowledge with great pride his accomplishments. I remembered the first time I met him; his cocky self assurance masked his vulnerability. In the course of several months, he has come to grow in a sense of achievement and become truly confident.

Among our graduates, we have some who are college bound, one off to a music institute, while others are still entertaining their options. However, all of them leave with a sense of pride that will serve them well in life and hopefully provide a foundation for their success.

What can you say to graduates that has not all ready been said? I would only add that I hope they know they can count on Hillsides to continue to support them. Our commitment to those we serve is not defined by their length of time in care, but rather by our resolve to be a resource for them and their families whenever they call upon us.

Jay Bechtol challenged the graduates to stay in touch. He suggested they come back to next year’s graduation to share what has happened to them during the year with another group of graduates as a way to encourage another class to hope, dream and achieve.