Thank You to the Angell Foundation

As many of you know, we are one of the beneficiaries of the Angell Foundation, established after the deaths of both Lynn and David Angell who perished on one of the 9/11 plane crashes. This week we were able to show our gratitude by welcoming the Foundation’s Advisory Board to spend the day on campus while they met to consider initiatives that are being entrained by the Foundation.

Lynn and David were the best examples of what good volunteers are all about. They were motivated to make a difference, understood what the commitment entailed, and were faithful. For Lynn Angell, Hillsides’ library was her way of providing a lasting impact on the lives of the children we serve. She was the driving force behind developing a library service for our students and residents. She understood the fiscal constraints and set out to engage other volunteers and solicit the support and resources necessary to make the library a reality. Established by her, Hillsides’ library continues today to be one of the many programs that distinguishes us among other residential services providers. 

The library not only serves as a refuge on campus from the frenetic activity associated with both the school and the residential program, but it also continues to be a tremendous draw for many to volunteer with our residents. Whether it is reading, tutoring or visiting with a child, many volunteers find the library as a place where they can easily and yet profoundly impact the lives of those we serve.

The Angells had a vision and the Foundation established on their behalf has embedded that vision in its grant making endeavors. Here at Hillsides we have benefited not only from their support for the library, but also for many other services we offer including our outreach to transition aged youth at Youth Moving On.

As we acknowledge the Angells and the Foundation, we call upon the community to consider volunteering here at Hillsides. There are many wonderful opportunities to touch the lives of our kids and help them and their families through a very challenging time. If interested, please contact Laura Kelso, director of community resources, at 323-254-2274 ext. 251. What greater tribute can we provide to Lynn and David Angell, but to serve as they did! Join us!

Justice Has Been Done

The surprise announcement on Sunday that Osama Bin Laden had been killed has rekindled for all of us memories of that fateful day when we were confronted with the reality of global terrorism on our shores. We all remember where we were and how it affected us. I recall on that day receiving a frantic call from a friend in Massachusetts to ascertain that I had gotten back safely to Los Angeles after a week visiting with family and friends there. He was unsure of my travel plans and was afraid that I had been on the flight from Boston that crashed. As fate had it, I was on that same flight, but traveled September 10! Had I left on September11, I would have perished along with others like Lynn and David Angell.

Many of you know, Lynn Angell, who as a volunteer, single handedly started our campus library.  Her photograph is prominently displayed in the library as a reminder of her extraordinary dedication to our students. Motivated by a conviction that she could make a difference, she committed to provide our students with a place and resources to learn, to improve their lives and to become successful.  Her spirit lives on here and we continue to benefit from her support through generous grants from the Angell Foundation.

In spite of the tremendous sense of loss we experienced as we mourned the deaths of so many innocent victims, our lives have not been centered on retribution, but rather on their living legacies.  On Monday, the 13-year-old son of one of the heroes, a fireman who perished at the World Trade Center, said that he did not feel vengeful. To him, it matters little that Bin Laden had been killed, it was the loss of his father that 10 years later he still mourned. As much as justice has been done, the losses are still profound, the threats are still ever present and the impact of that day is still being felt.

The lesson of course is that the best “revenge” is to live full and fearless lives especially in the face of threats. As we begin May, Foster Care Awareness Month, it is appropriate for us to recall that the greatest instruments we have in the face of daunting obstacles are courage, hope and resolve.

Lynn Angell continues to counter the senseless acts of terror of September 11 each time a student is welcomed into the library that honors her commitment.  Join us to help our students and residents confront the challenges they experience and learn to be strong and fearless, hopeful and confident. Just as this is Lynn Angell’s impact on children served by the foster care system, it can also be yours.