Centennial kick off

Even growing up on the East Coast the Tournament of Roses Parade was a New Years’ Day tradition. While getting ready to enjoy a late lunch with family and friends we would all sit around the TV commenting on the beautiful floats and the envious climate of Southern California. Little did I realize that I would someday be in the parade let alone riding on top of the Wells Fargo stagecoach wearing a Stetson! Riding along with me was Melinda Snyder, our Wells Fargo board member and four of our clients who represented the array of services that we offer (read about our riders).  Needless to say, participating in the Rose Parade was a lot of fun and an experience of a lifetime for all of us. We are very grateful to Wells Fargo for their generosity and this wonderful opportunity.

The Tournament of Roses is such a grand event. It is an opportunity for Pasadena to showcase the community and celebrate its many attributes. It does so in a most unique way and as a result, it becomes a high standard for other communities who try to emulate it. How appropriate then that this should be the very first of many events that will allow us also to showcase who we are as a premier provider of child welfare and education services and celebrate the contribution we make to the community.

There is nothing subtle about the Rose Parade; it is a display of extraordinary creativity and well-deserved pride that brings together various people and interests to celebrate a community at its best. The celebrations that we have planned for this centennial year are all extraordinary. They will call attention, not only to who we are and those we serve, but in a special way the events will celebrate the standard of care that has been established for some of the most vulnerable in our community. Like the Rose Parade that is dependent on the support and goodwill of the community to be successful, we, too, will celebrate this year the exceptional support we receive from the community and how we continue to depend on it.

I hope that you plan to join us in celebrating this landmark event, especially by attending our centennial gala on February 23. That evening we will celebrate the lives of many who have been so dedicated to vulnerable children and have been generous in their support of our mission.  As always, all we do is meant to benefit those we serve. In a special way, this celebration will generate the support we need to fulfill our historic mission to create lasting change for all we serve. So mark your calendar now, reserve your tickets, and join with us as we mark our centennial. Happy New Year!

Christmas Eve at the Langham

Every year around this time I check in with Tom Johnson, the director of our Residential Treatment Services and ask the same question: how many residents will be here for Christmas? In spite of our efforts to increase a greater connection with families, 25 of our residents were here on Christmas Eve. When you consider how memorable Christmas Eve is for so many of us as we gather with our families and enjoy the rituals that mark our commemoration of this holiday, you can’t help but feel disappointed that these 25 children will have to make do with being away from their homes and families.

In an effort to never-the-less make Christmas Eve memorable for those residents at Hillsides, each year the Hillsides Volunteer Network sponsors and hosts a Christmas Eve party at the Langham Hotel in Pasadena. One of the original ballrooms is reserved, tables are wonderfully decorated, a DJ provides music, and a scrumptious meal is served. There are games for the children, prizes and gifts for all and, of course, a visit from Santa, who although has a busy schedule, makes time to stop by. We are so grateful to HVN for making this wonderful event possible, helping these children to enjoy and celebrate this special evening.

As the celebration was coming to an end, the DJ offered the microphone to residents who would want to express their thanks. I will admit that this “open mic” moment always leaves me a little concerned not knowing what might comes out of the mouths of our Hillsides residents, but as always what they shared became one of the most memorable moments of that evening for me and the volunteers.

One girl who has been at Hillsides a short time summed it all up by saying, “Thank you, Hillsides, for making sure that we always have a lot of fun!” Isn’t that what it’s all about, helping these youngsters get beyond the trauma they have experienced to, once again, enjoy being carefree children.

Although this holiday party is a long standing celebration at Hillsides, it is a great example of an act of kindness on the part of an extraordinarily dedicated group of volunteers that touches the hearts of very vulnerable children.

And while this time of year we celebrate the beginning of daylight when it slowly increases to break through the dormancy of winter, brighter days await us. With each act of kindness we dispel the hardships so many endure and restore a sense of hope. To all those who generously supported us at Hillsides this holiday season, thank you!

By the way…Look for us in the Tournament of Rose Parade as we hitch a ride on one of two Wells Fargo stagecoaches. Thank you to Wells Fargo for graciously featuring Hillsides as we kick off our centennial year celebration.

Honoring Youth, Volunteers, and Donors

The donor and volunteer community for Hillsides came together at our annual Circle of Excellence dinner to honor philanthropists for giving their time, resources, and special talent to serve vulnerable children, youth, and families living in Southern California. On behalf of Hillsides, I am so fortunate to have generous individuals, corporations, and foundations like yourselves because it is with your effort our agency can sustain this great mission. 

The evening program began with two Youth Moving On residents speaking about their background, experience as youths transitioning to adulthood, and the impact that the YMO program has made in their lives. These youth testimonies were truly inspiring to hear and demonstrated how critical our support of former foster youth is to ensuring they are on a successful path to adulthood.

Our dedicated staff can provide programs such as YMO because of the ongoing generous support we receive from the community. The Circle of Excellence dinner, hosted at Pandora on Green, brought together 148 guests to pay tribute to our honorees. Receiving the Hillsides Community Angel Award was Starbucks, who was represented by Jennifer Vanderpool, Pasadena District Manager for the coffee company. Becky Garnett and Connie Endter, accepted the Hillsides Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of Margaret Campbell, who is no longer with us, but lives in our hearts. Longtime supporter, Dee Fisher, received the Hillsides Angel Award. Our Special Recognition Award recipients were Cathy Brennan, Glenn Keller, and Victoria Mordecai. Each individual demonstrates a social conscience to create lasting changes in the lives of the most vulnerable that we serve. Through their resources, coordination of activities, and advocacy, Hillsides is able to provide the necessary programs and serves for children, youth, and families.

Just as exciting as it was to pay tribute to the tireless work of our honorees, I was delighted to announce that Wells Fargo selected Hillsides as the charity to be featured on the iconic Wells Fargo stagecoach during the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. What a wonderful way to ring in the New Year and kickoff our centennial celebration! Especially significant is the opportunity of a lifetime that a few children and youth will get by riding on the stagecoach.

The Circle of Excellence was the beginning of other gatherings held during the holidays. This week we held an H100 Member Social so new members of this volunteer support group could meet one another and learn more about YMO and our holiday giving.

We rely on your continued support as we get ready for the holiday season. And as you are attending holiday gatherings, serving a cherished family meal, and unwrapping gifts, please think of us and know we are certainly thinking of you for giving our children, youth, and families restored hope and a brighter future in the upcoming year.