Much to celebrate

As I walked around at the Christmas Eve celebration for our residents who were on campus that evening, I came across one of our adolescent boys who greeted me with a smile and what seemed to me a strange question. I've seen him deal with a number of challenges and have always admired how he managed through them. On this evening he was all smiles, clearly having a good time, happy to partner up with one other resident to entertain the gathering with some impressive dance moves. As we sat together catching up on how the holiday was progressing, he looked at me and asked, “You are not going anywhere, are you? Will you be around Hillsides for a while?"

As I assured him that I wasn't going anywhere, I could not help but wonder where that question was coming from. Maybe my premature grey hair gave him the impression that I might be at the end of my career! What I think the question expressed was his appreciation for the relationships he has with me and others at Hillsides and how important these relationships are to him. As gratifying as his acknowledgment is, my hope for him is that he can learn from the relationships he has been able to establish, knowing that trusting adults look out for his best interests and support him as he makes his way through many challenges.

 

For this boy and all these children we serve, this new year must be about helping them achieve much so that by this time next year they can find themselves safe, confident and secure in a permanent home.

2013 is our centennial year and aside from marking this milestone with great celebrations, the goals for this year are what they have been throughout this century: to keep those we serve safe, to provide them services and care that improve their lives, and to set them on a path to success. The measure of our success will be their achievements.

We have much to celebrate in this centennial year and hope that all of you will consider joining us at our annual gala on February 23. Look for a special edition of THE Magazine this month that will feature Hillsides and presents a very succinct and compelling picture of the critical services we offer. Share it will family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues as a way of advocating for the important mission of creating lasting change for all we serve. 

 

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.