Foster care and education

While watching the State of the Union address on Tuesday I was reminded of how challenging it is to move beyond worthy aspirations and truly effect change. In the world of partisan gridlock I can’t help but wonder what if anything can be accomplished in such a dysfunctional environment. Perhaps the most difficult thing about such an impasse is the negative impact it has on the lives of the most vulnerable.

The fiscal constraints of the last several years have considerably weakened the capacity of public education systems. School districts like Los Angeles Unified School District and Pasadena Unified School District are struggling to meet the needs of their students, especially those with learning challenges. In particular this is true for children served in foster care.  Recently, a study about the education of school-aged children and youth in the foster care system was released by The Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning. The study is a “first-ever education snapshot” of all K-12 students in foster care in California.

Some of the findings, although not surprising, were nevertheless sobering when you consider how essential education is for success. The study shows that students in foster care:

• Were more likely than other students to change schools during the school year.
• Were more likely to be enrolled in the lowest-performing schools.
• Had the lowest participation rate in statewide testing.
• Were older for their grade level than the other student groups. 
• Had the highest drop out rate and lowest graduation rate. 

 In addition,

• Only 37 percent of foster care students were proficient in math, the lowest of all other students, including those with disabilities or with limited English.  
• Nearly one in five students in foster care was classified with a disability and had a higher rate of emotional disturbance.         

For the children and youth in the foster care system today, the aspirations of well-intended government officials offer little consolation. For them to wait for the political process to bring about change is unacceptable. Their needs are immediate. What is at risk is their future! For us at Hillsides, the dilemma is urgent because these are our children and we can not fail them.

Since discouragement is not an option we have marshaled our own resources to augment the inadequate public funds we receive for education and have engaged an ever generous community of supporters to help the children and youth we serve defy the odds.

In particular, we do this by enlisting the help of between 45-70 volunteers at any given time who serve as tutors and mentors to provide the indispensable one-on-one attention and instruction that has helped those we serve out-perform other students in the foster care system.

Rob Wherley, one of our teachers at the Hillsides Education Center, began a reading program in September for struggling readers at the school. The program is called Reading Rocks and currently utilizes six tutors to serve 25 students who are struggling readers.  These students read at a level that is far below that which is expected by the state of California.  All of the 22 students have shown steady improvement in reading skills.  Currently, 17 of these students are on track to make a full grade level jump in reading performance and five of these students are on track to make a two grade level jump by the end of the school year.  The goal of the Reading Rocks Program is to “make up for lost time” by providing the individualized intensive intervention necessary to get students back to grade level reading expectations.

We may struggle to get the political system to be effective, but with the help of innovative staff and the generous support of volunteers we are helping our students to achieve and create lasting change. For more information on how you can volunteer as a tutor or mentor, please contact Laura Kelso, director of community resources.

Commencement: Untold Story

The Hillsides Education Center had its 29^th graduation on Tuesday, June 4. One of the graduates chose a quote from Maya Angelou to describe what motivates her: “There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” Graduation is all about achievement, but often the achievements are not just academic for the students at HEC. Their achievements have to do with the ability to tell an untold story that resides deep within and longs to be expressed. Untold, a story has the power to hold a person captive, however, when spoken it losses its power to hold and instead becomes an expression of a truth and reality. Sometimes what may be expressed is a hurt, an embarrassment, even anger, but inevitably the telling of the untold story is cathartic and life giving.

As our Education Director, Jay Bechtol, reminded the assembly, each graduating student at Hillsides is a valedictorian and given the opportunity to address those gathered for the graduation. As each student took their place at the podium, they had an opportunity to tell their story, a story of challenges, but also of resolve to see their way to this significant milestone equipped to look beyond this moment and set a direction for their lives.

As they head out on this next chapter, they do so confident of who they are, their abilities, even their limitations, not overwhelmed, but rather determined to be happy and successful.

I sometimes wonder what happens to the many aspirations that are shared at graduation, whether they are achieved or altered by harsh realities. Just as I was reflecting on this thought, I encountered a former student who had come by for the graduation. She was happy to reconnect with friends and staff at HEC and with great excitement  filled them in on what was going on in her life at this time. I’m not sure what aspiration she had when she graduated, but it seemed to me from the encounter that some of them have been realized

As important as goals are, it’s the dedication to achieve them that makes all the difference. Inevitably goals change, lessons are learned along the way and hopefully a direction is set, and much is achieved. As another graduate summed it up with a quote from Robert Frost: “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.”

Life indeed does go on with the help of so many family members and friends who support these graduates and walk along with them. To the graduates, their families and friends, the incredible staff of HEC, and all those who passionately support our mission, congratulations and thank you!

Happy springtime!

This past week I was visiting with family in my native Massachusetts. Although I was there for the first day of spring I had to shovel wet, slushy snow twice, so much for the beginning of spring! Even upon my return to California the weather is still more reminiscent of winter. But it is indeed spring and in spite of the forecast you can sense the desire to put off winter and prepare for yet one more beautiful southern California summer.

 

As I returned to Hillsides on Monday, I  found the campus quiet with the school on a week-long spring break, making my reentry a little less hectic. While our residents and students enjoyed a refreshing break, much activity continues on campus. With the move of some administrative offices off campus, vacated space on campus has been refurbished to accommodate additional work and treatment space for our clinical staff. The auditorium, a hub for a great deal of activity, is also being refurbished and equipped  to better serve as a gathering place and conference center for our residents and staff. The restored auditorium should be completed in time to host the Hillsides Education Center graduation in June and serve as a focal point for our Centennial Founder's Day celebration in September.

 

Off campus, Youth Moving On, our supportive housing and services for young adults program, is preparing a storefront on the corner of Los Robles and Orange Grove as a peer resource center to expand our outreach to this vulnerable population. In Baldwin Park, our new Family Resources Center has been up and running for the past few months serving as a center for an expanded array of services to children and families in that area.

 

However, as busy as things may be, we never lose sight of what it is that we are trying to accomplish for each and every individual that is served… to make a lasting impact on their lives.

 

There is a great story about a shoreline inundated with stranded starfish. As people gathered on the shore to view the spectacle, someone started to throw the starfish back into the ocean. One of the spectators approached the person tossing the starfish back into the ocean and asked what impact this effort would have given the magnitude of the problem. The person responded that for the one starfish returned to the ocean it made a big difference!

 

Confronted by the magnitude of the task--to restore hope to children and families that have been traumatized by hardship and tragedy—it can be overwhelming. But for the child that is cared for, the youth that is sheltered, the families that are supported, the task to restore hope makes a big difference.

 

So in spite of all the many things that are going on during this time of year, let’s harness the energy that comes with a vibrant spring and get around the hard, but worthwhile task of making a last impact on all we serve…one person at a time.

Fantasy Stories Fulfill Dreams

I walked into the auditorium to a full house of students being entertained by a troupe of wonderful professional actors who were performing a short play that was actually written by one of our residents. The story itself was inspired by the recent Twilight vampire trilogy and, as a result, it was filled with characters who are part werewolf subject to magic spells. It was filled with suspense, intrigue, humor, and triumph. At the end of the performance our Harry Potter look-a-like “playwright” rose from his seat to receive the applause from the assembly.

For a child who has learning challenges, with a tendency to be withdrawn and easily internalizes the disappointments and hurts he has experienced, the ability to risk sharing his “fantasy story” with a very discriminating audience says volumes about  his confidence level. More than anything else, what impressed me was the sense of pride and accomplishment that was achieved.

 

All of us recall moments as children when we were free to entertain our fantasies and enter some magical make believe world without worries or cares, where all of our dreams would be fulfilled and happiness reigned. This wonderful interaction with our students and the volunteer storytellers has helped children who have been robbed of that opportunity to enjoy, as all children should, the carefree pleasure of magical thinking. 

At the end of the day is that not what we are all about? Establishing an environment where children can dream. From those dreams come the aspirations that motivate a child to hope. This is what Hillsides is all about.

We could not do this without a whole cast of staff and volunteers who are driven to restore the ability to dream for the children we serve. The writers and actors of Storytellers serve as a wonderful example of how, in this great entertainment capitol, these wonderful professionals sacrifice their time and share their talent to make dreams come true for children who otherwise would be consumed by their sadness with no way to express themselves.

The therapeutic value of these experiences is immeasurable. This is a great example of how, in spite of fiscal restraints, a community comes together to be resourceful and place its talent at the service of those who most need it.

To the wonderful actors and writers of Storytellers and those on staff who coordinate all that is involved in these performances, thank you! These efforts inspire dreams that help the children and youth we serve hope once again.

Strong Foundation Upheld for a Century

2013 will mark Hillsides centennial. Reviewing the historical archives provided an affirmation of the organization’s characteristics that had surfaced when we were developing a strategic road map this past year. Clearly from its inception, Hillsides has been an organization unquestionably committed to those it serves, willing to innovate in order to be most effective, and always dedicated to raising a voice in favor of those who otherwise would be ignored.

Quality Care

Our founder, Deaconess Evelyn Wile, was a woman on a mission. Having abandoned the comforts of her day, of family, and a home, she committed herself exclusively to the quality care of the children entrusted to her. She lived for them! Her absolute dedication established a work ethic that to this day permeates the organization, witnessed in the extraordinary number of staff who have worked most of their professional lives at Hillsides.

Innovation

From the very beginning Hillsides was like no other “orphanage.” Turning away from constructing a large, dormitory like structure, Deaconess Wile preferred a campus setting with cottages to provide children a home environment. Over the years, the organization developed the capacity to always look for additional ways to best serve vulnerable children. It was this spirit of innovation that led to  the construction of Hillsides Education Center, the establishment of an array of community-based services throughout greater Los Angeles and Pasadena, and most recently, the creation of the Youth Moving On program to address the needs of former foster youth striving for independence.

Advocacy

All of these efforts to provide the best possible care has also allowed Hillsides to be recognized as a credible  advocate, speaking out throughout its history to help engage the community to value the tremendous capacity of the children, youth, and families its serves.

 
Much has changed in 100 years; Avenue 64 is no longer the leafy refuges from the city that it once was, buildings have been added to the original three structures, and an extensive network of services in the community has been developed. Yet through these subsequent generations, some things remain the same--quality care, innovation, and advocacy. These are the foundation for what we hope will be yet another 100 years.

Teacher Exemplifies Excellence

The news is filled with information about teachers these days. In Chicago, teachers are on strike to resist reforms that introduce new measurements of their teaching achievement. In Los Angeles, teachers will be considering reforms agreed upon by school officials and administrators to also establish new norms with which to evaluate teacher performance. Like in social services, some members of the teaching profession have resisted the efforts to quantify performance, arguing student achievement is dependent on so many factors that it is inordinate to tie teacher performance to student achievement.

No matter where you stand on this issue, everyone agrees it is imperative to provide a high quality, effective public education system if we hope to prosper and offer students a pathway to lifelong success. May I suggest that what impedes achieving this noble ambition has more to do with the easily bruised egos of teaching professionals, academic theorists, and politicians than a sincere interest in what is most effective for students.

In the middle of these verbal barrages are earnest students and dedicated teachers who serve as human shields for the various combatants. What are achieved are piecemeal efforts that neither support teachers nor offer effective education. This quagmire threatens the viability of the pubic education system and endangers students.

Rebekah Ruswick with Judge Terry J. Hatter, Jr.

With this as a background story, Hillsides Education Center celebrates this week the extraordinary service of one of its finest teachers, Rebekah Ruswick, who after a distinguished tenure will be moving on to serve in a senior program position with a local school system.  Rebekah exemplifies not only what is a great teacher, but also a great staff member. The list of her attributes is long; I feel the greatest one is her drive to see students succeed, not only academically, but in all aspects of their lives. She will be missed, but her legacy will be students who have been touched by her dedication, advanced academically, and more importantly, moved on from HEC confident because of the care they received through her instruction.

HEC is a great source of pride for all us associated with Hillsides, not just because of its students’ achievements, but also its mission driven staff that sacrifice much for the satisfaction of seeing their students succeed. I am convinced that lessons learned in places like HEC would serve as an excellent primer for those who sincerely espouse academic excellence and professional development in our public school system. Might I be biased?

Class is Now in Session

What comes to mind when you think of Hillsides? More often than not, most people think of Hillsides as an “orphanage” or better yet a safe place for “troubled” youth. The fact of the matter is that these terms are insufficient to describe all that Hillsides provides.  In a particular way Hillsides is about education. An integral part of the services offered to our residents is the availability of a fully credentialed educational institution that provides a very individualized instruction oriented around the specific learning challenges of each student.

Of the 75 students enrolled in grades 2-12, 40 are residents of our treatment program and the others are day students from the community. The Hillsides Education Center offers a very comprehensive approach that couples both the academic with an array of support services that address the very specific needs of our students. Classrooms are limited to anywhere from 10-13 students and each is led by a specially certified teacher and two classroom assistants, allowing for a very individualized approach to instruction. The goal, of course, is help students achieve grade level performance and, as soon as possible, return to a less restrictive educational setting.

With the beginning of school comes a certain amount of excitement masking the apprehension that is typical of the start of the academic year. New school clothes, backpacks filled with schools supplies, stories of summer adventures, and reconnections with classmates and teaching staff generates a palpable energy. With that the school year is off to a great start!

For all the challenges that our students confront, the school districts that refer them are likewise challenged to meet the cost of providing needed services in an extraordinarily fiscally constrained environment. As partners with the school districts, we, too, are also challenged to sustain quality instruction with no hope of being fully compensated for what it costs to educate each student. Instruction at Hillsides Education Center costs approximately $145 a day per student and the reimbursement averages only about $125. As you can see, the difference in cost multiplied by the days of instruction per student quickly adds up to a significant structural deficit that can only be addressed by the generous support we receive from individuals and foundations who value this important component of care we offer.

What is the solution to the underfunding of our public education system? I don’t pretend to know the answer and strive mightily to not grow cynical when listening to the empty rhetoric of public officials who promote a quality public education and yet seem totally ineffective at generating and allocating the needed resources. I can say, however, the reliance on private funds to supplant these essential educational services is not a good or sustainable solution and have a limited impact because of the significant gap.

The solution, I suggest, has to do with the resolve necessary to sustain the  sacrifices needed to truly make the education of all our children a valued priority. Here at Hillsides it is priority and we have the resolve to raise approximately $250,000 a year to sustain our educational services. It is a great sacrifice, but we are convinced that it is also worthwhile. What greater contribution can we make to the life of a student than to see them achieve in spite of a learning challenge, become confident in the classroom, and perhaps for the first time enjoy learning!

Hillsides Education Center Begins Accreditation Process

School is out for the summer. Tuesday was the last day of classes for students enrolled in our summer school program at Hillsides Education Center. You could feel the relief of both students and staff as they look forward to a less structured remainder of the summer. Teachers are able to take some time off and get reinvigorated for the school year start at the end of August. Students are anticipating more leisurely mornings and various recreational activities both on and off campus that will allow them a break from school work while keeping them never-the-less engaged and ready for the new school year.

HEC is such an extraordinary school, not just because of the array of services it offers students, the high instructor to student ratio, the individualized approach it provides or excellent facilities. More than anything else, HEC provides an approach that regards each student as capable of success and a universally dedicated staff committed to academic achievement for all its students. Just the other day, touring the school with a local school psychologist, he noted that the environment we are able to maintain within the school is marketedly different from other similar schools. We are convinced that our approach and commitment is what helps HEC stand out and be a school of choice for many parents and referring school districts.

As part of an on-going effort throughout all our programs to achieve national accreditation, HEC embarked this year in preparing to be accredited by the Western Association of School and Colleges, WASC, the premier accrediting body for schools.

The challenges are great since HEC does not present as a typical school, but in spite of this, preparations were made and a group of reviewers spent a few days here recently to determine HEC’s appropriateness as a candidate for WASC accreditation. Last week we received word that HEC had successfully completed this first phase in the process and is officially designated as a candidate for WASC accreditation. This is the next step in a three-year process that hopefully will culminate in accreditation.

This is such a wonderful validation of the great work provided by HEC and certainly an opportunity for us to congratulate Jay Bechtol, HEC director, and all the staff for their fine work.

As you know the public education system in California is woefully underfunded; it is a struggle for our referring school districts to meet the cost of tuition. But the sacrifice is worth it, for the success that our students enjoy today places them on the path of even greater opportunities.

Join us in congratulating HEC for achieving this level of recognition by WASC and help us by your generous support to maintain this important service that we offer to Hillsides residents and community students alike. 

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.

Just Do It

Recently the conversation in my office was about a student in crisis and the additional supports that the youth needs to get through this challenging period. It is not the first time that we have tailored an individualized program for a child, as a matter of fact, Hillsides and its Education Center are known for making that extra effort and, more often than not, being successful with a very challenging resident. We know the right thing to do, we know how to do it and we have the resolve to do it in spite of limited resources.

These days, whether walking the halls of Congress in Washington or the Legislature in Sacramento, the talk is about public revenue shortfalls and budget strategies; and I must admit the talk is grim. While some economic indicators may point to stability and perhaps growth, government has not seen any growth in revenues; in California, we are still struggling with what some estimate to be a $20 billion deficit!

In the great Californian spirit of ballot initiatives, November’s ballot may be littered with all sorts of initiatives proposed to remedy our fiscal woes. I’m afraid the result may only be to confuse, further restrict scarce public funds and only frustrate a very desperate situation.

In the meantime, how do we find the resources to address the needs of that student in crisis?

Daily instruction at the Hillsides Education Center costs approximately $145 while the reimbursement averages $125. Multiply that gap by 75 students and the calendar of instruction days and you get a sense of the tremendous challenge to maintain a critical service for not just our residents, but many community day students.

Clearly, the solutions lies in utilizing what limited resources we have in the most effective way possible. The task is not easy because as indicated in the recently released findings of the President’s Commission on Excellence in Special Education (http://www2.ed.gov/inits/commissionsboards/whspecialeducation/reports/summ.html), the education system is part of the problem. It is a system that fails to provide early and appropriate interventions for students with learning challenges; it is a system that is more driven by student failure. Failure only exacerbates the situation, traumatizes the student and leads often to very expensive interventions that are, of course, underfunded.

More than anything else at this time we need to break away from the usual strategy of legislating  solutions offered by special interests groups to utilize instead what we know to be most effective, always driven by the needs of those we serve.

Lunch with Jack, a 10-year Resident

He stands at about 5’6”, a slight build with scruffy facial hair and glasses. An inquisitive glance and an easy smirk draws you to him. My first encounter with Jack came nearly two years ago as I walked the campus with my predecessor John Hitchcock. Without prompting, Jack approach hypothesizing that I might be the new “John Hitchcock.”

And since then, I have discovered that Jack hates vegetables, loves computer games, is a whiz at exotic Japanese card games and enjoys geometry. He has lived at Hillsides for ten years, most recently at one of our off-campus group homes and after diligent effort will graduate from our highschool program on Friday and make a much anticipated return to live with his mother.

Over an Italian lunch at a near by eatery, he shared with me his plans for school, a part-time job, a love interest and the hope of reconnecting with family members. “What do you like most about Hillsides?” I asked, cueing Jack to tell me about his favorite outings, adventures and misadventures alike, friendship that have been created and good people who have supported him during his tenure.

As we ended the luncheon, while Jack suggested to me he approach the manager of the restaurant for a job, I let him know that all of us at Hillsides were very proud of him and reminded him that he could count on us even after he left. He looked over at me with an expression that confirmed for me that he already knew that.

There are not many Jacks left at Hillsides. More and more, the agency is not a place where kids grow up, but rather a resource to address their needs while planning to get them back as soon as possible to their communities and families, and that is a good thing. But Hillsides has also been a great place for kids like Jack who may need a relatively supportive long-termenvironment to help achieve a level of confidence and self-esteem that will serve as the foundation for their success.

I let him know that all of us at Hillsides were very proud of him and reminded him that he could count on us even after he left.

As much as Jack and his family are grateful for all they have received during these very formative years, we, too, are grateful for the privilege to have cared for him during this time as if indeed he was our own.

Join me in congratulating Jack as he dons his cap and gown, receives his well-earned diploma and sets out on many adventures (and misadventures for sure). To him and all those we serve, whether for ten days or ten years, we pledge to do everything possible to restore well-being and hope.

Reflections on Dr. King’s legacy

Days before he was assassinated  Dr. Martin Luther King had gathered with his advisors to consider launching a new campaign for the adoption of a living wage in the United States. Decades later we continue to struggle with this issue and poverty maintains a strong hold on an unacceptable number of our fellow citizens. One out of every five children live in poverty and I dare say that for the vast majority of the children, youth and families we serve poverty is the most significant factor that continues to place them at risk even after considerable improvement in treatment.

Whether we see this issue related to a living wage, job readiness or employment opportunities, poverty makes safety harder to provide, improvement and well being challenging to achieve and permanency considerably more difficult. I raise this as we celebrated Dr. King’s birthday because it reminds us that the core issue  that undermines the well being of those we serve is poverty. The Great War on Poverty waged along with the Civil Rights movement may have achieved much but for many we serve today those achievements have long been mitigated by a persistent erosion of the basic tools that serve to reduce the impact of poverty.

Take for instance that sixty percent of public school fourth, eighth and twelfth graders are below grade level in both reading and math. Education traditionally has been a pathway that leads one generation to another one of greater prosperity. Perhaps with these kinds of statistics education as a way out of poverty is yet another American myth. As much as improvement of our education system is often a rallying cry in our public discourse, it is one of the first things to be sacrificed when balancing public sector budgets; so much for providing those that need it the most a vehicle that mitigates the effects of poverty and offers an opportunity for a better life.

As part of our Dr. King celebrations here at Hillsides we will be delighted this week by a performance of African dance and drumming. The performance is rooted in the history of a people who in the face of oppression and injustice lifted their spirits never-the-less in dance and song.  This was done not as a way to be distracted but rather to be inspired in movement and music to look beyond the struggle to the freedom of spirit that knows no bounds and is not dependent on anyone or any institution to provide.

My hope is that Dr. Kings legacy is not limited to any one of his considerable achievements but rather that no matter our creed or color we become a people ever resourceful to combat the injustices of our day in spite of the failures of some long revered solutions.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”--Martin Luther King Jr.

Lunchtime Concerts in the Library

As I approached our library at noon I was drawn into the building by the sound of a classical cello piece echoing in the foyer. I walked into the library and found David Lockington, a guest conductor and accomplished cellist with the Pasadena Symphony, performing for an uncharacteristically silent and awed assembly of our students. My vantage point in the room allowed me to see not only the performance, but also the expressions on the students’ faces as they followed his gestures and felt the music resonate within them. For kids more familiar with rap, their ability to never-the-less appreciate and be moved by a classical cello performance was edifying.

Like many of you, I have fond memories of strolling around a great city at mid-day, delighted by an impromptu concert. This performance was especially gratifying because it not only delighted our residents, but it was offered by an artist who himself is the father of four adopted children.  David: someone who knows so well the challenges that our residents experience; someone who knows the power of music not only to transport the spirit, but also to transform the heart. What a powerful gift David offered us with this wonderful performance!

At one point he addressed the kids and asked them to feel the power of the music to touch them. With these comments he reinforced for the assembly something they may have already known--that music can be therapeutic and healing. I am convinced for all of us there that the opportunity to break from our routines and delight in such a great performance was indeed therapeutic.

Once again, I share this with you not only to thank David and others who have brought us these extraordinary mid-day concerts, but to remind all of us that there is so much that can be done even in the midst of fiscal constraints and public policy challenges to make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. Let us resolve not to be overwhelmed by the challenges, but rather resourceful in achieving our mission.

How else will we be able to continue our efforts if not because of the generous support that we receive from so many volunteers that share their time, talent and resources to help us?

To one and all, thank you. What a great way to start the New Year!

The Great Santa Ana Wind Storm of 2011

At one point during the Santa Ana wind storm, on the front lawn of the group home we maintain adjacent to the main campus, the towering tree came roaring down. Fortunately, the tree fell away from the structure, but never-the-less rekindled the trauma for one of our residents, who had survived the Joplin Missouri tornado earlier this year. He like many of the residents at Hillsides were frightened by the ferocious winds and awed by the display of force that brought three trees down,  buried three cars in debris and left the campus without power for nearly 24 hours.

As I walked the campus the day of the storm, I was impressed by the resourcefulness of our staff who adjusted their routines, stayed focused on the residents and pitched in to keep us all safe and operating well. In spite of the inconveniences, our residents were in good spirits, relieved that the storm was over and grateful for not attending school that day. But in subsequent days as things return to normal, an increasing number of residents have acted on their anxieties triggered by the trauma of living through such a powerful storm.

Last week’s storm confirmed for all of us how vulnerable we are in the face of the overwhelming forces of nature. For our residents already suffering form childhood traumas such an experience can be overwhelming. So, in addition to clearing debris and accommodating the inconveniences brought on by a power outage, the staff remained focused on reassuring our residents that they were safe and could count on us to help them deal with their fears and anxieties.

In a sense the storm was not only a test of our disaster plan, but more importantly, our resourcefulness to effectively address a very challenging situation while never losing sight of  the needs of the children we serve. To all the staff who braved the state of emergency to make their way to work, thank you. To the maintenance staff who marshaled the efforts to clear debris and restore power and good order, thank you. To the food service personnel who kept residents and staff alike fed in the midst of discomfort, thank you. To our community of supporters who have reached out to us in concern with offers of assistance, thank you. Together we got through the storm relatively unscathed and will recall to another generation how we survived the great Santa Ana wind storm of 2011. 

Thanks and Giving

National Charity League Pasadena Chapter

One of the things that I learned a long time ago is that you just can not say thank you enough. So let me take this year's Thanksgiving celebration to say, once again, thank you! Let there be no doubt that without the extraordinary support that Hillsides receives from our donor community, our ability to impact the lives of all we serve would be significantly compromised.

Without your generous support we would not be able to bring the library to life with storytelling and live music on a regular basis. Without your support we would not have been able to sponsor our students on a three-day magical camping trip to Catalina. Without your support holiday celebrations would not be marked by games, gifts and fun for one and all. The list of how your support makes a difference is endless. Like the many parents who I met on campus recently and told me how grateful they are for the care we offer their children, I say thank you.

In assisting us to provide so much for those we serve, you offer an extraordinary gift whose impact is made more significant because of how vulnerable they are. It is the gift of hope. For the mother at her wits’ end with an adolescent who is depressed and withdrawn, hope is knowing that her child feels comfortable in school for the first time in years. For the eight year old angry about being removed from her home, hope is when she finally gets her favorite toy and is able to laugh and run with abandon. For the lonely adolescent who has aimlessly moved from one foster home to another, hope is when he lands that first job and opens a savings account. Your support helps us to rebuild confidence, revive joy and restore hope. Thank you!

Be sure to know that on this Thanksgiving your generous support of our mission is at the top of our list of reasons to be grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Time of Year

On my commute to work every morning I pass a makeshift sign attached to an overpass that states, “22% of children in the U.S. live in poverty.” As if traffic was not bad enough, the drive also confronts me with some of the stark realities of life in 2011. The fact is that depending on how you look at the childhood poverty issue, the number is anywhere from 17% - 35% of children in the U.S. are impacted by poverty.

The recent economic down turn has only exacerbated the situation. I suggest that poverty is perhaps the greatest contributing factor to the fracture of families, jeopardizing the well-being of children in many ways. Poverty is a sad and tragic reality that is hard to comprehend and often is understated. We see the result of poverty every day in the children and families we serve at Hillsides.

As we get ready for the holiday season, this is the time for us to reach out to our donors and supporters to ask for your help to provide food and gifts for all the children, youth and families we serve. Especially during this time of financial challenges, your assistance can make the difference to provide a happy holiday season for everyone we serve. Your donation helps to ease the anxiety of many families who, with very limited resources, none-the-less attempt to provide a happy and memorable holiday for their children. Please find more information on how and what you might be able to do to make the holidays a wonderful celebration for these very vulnerable children and families.  

I urge you to consider what you might be able to do now. This is a busy season with many distractions and we can easily put this off until much later in the season.

As you know, we can never do enough for those we serve--even more reason then for us to do our best. It makes such a difference, especially at a time of historic economic challenges, for the children and families we serve to be supported by each of us.

Thanks for all you do.

Teacher Peddles Around the World to Help Foster Care Kids

As a substitute teacher, Christine “Chris” Farrugia always rode her bike to her school site. At age 56, she has decided to peddle just a little farther to raise awareness of the needs of vulnerable children. Beginning December 1, Chris will kick off her one-year ride around the world in front of Hillsides.

I met Chris when she came to tour Hillsides and explain to us what she wanted to do. Chris explained that after her parents and brother died in a car accident, she felt alone and was left with a desire to do something to make a difference. She thought about how foster children or orphans must feel when they are no longer with family, which is how she decided to raise money for organizations that offer services to children in need.  Through Chris’ family tragedy, she believed that ordinary people do extraordinary things every day even after they have walked through situations or ride through storms. Unfortunate events test our human spirit.

So many of the vulnerable children and families we serve have experienced trauma, in one form or another. Their human spirit is tested and sometimes feel they are alone. They don’t know what steps to take and don’t know who to turn to. When they come to Hillsides or we reach out to families, our staff provides the quality care, expertise and talent to strengthen their spirit. Volunteers take their time and talents to give generously through hands-on activities, mentoring or funds to help us restore hope in their lives.

It’s a simple message from Chris: If you have a passion or a talent, no matter the circumstance, you could do something to make a difference. Just get out there and do it. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. And that’s exactly what she’s doing and I have seen our staff, volunteers and donor community put one foot in front of the other.

Although the journey can appear daunting, Chris’ positive energy, enthusiasm and commitment are infectious. I am excited to have been chosen as the charity in America to join Chris on her journey. She is funding the world cycling tour with her inheritance and welcomes sponsors to host her campground stays, weather permitted, or hotel accommodations. Eighty-five percent of the proceeds from the ride will raise funds for Hillsides and Good Shepherd Centre Orphanage in Zimbabwe, Africa, the other charity she has chosen.

On her recent visit to Hillsides, Chris explained the mission of Project Miracle Co, the charity she established to raise funds for other deserving children’s charities. “I wanted to help the wheels that were already in motion.” While touring our campus, Chris said, “I feel this is the right place to do this—like I’m home.”

Like Chris, I believe Hillsides is the right place to volunteer, do something, and help the most vulnerable in our community.

A Culture of Quality Care

I’ve mentioned in the blog before that Hillsides is seeking a national accreditation with the Council on Accreditation in New York. Although we are currently accredited by the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, a decision was made last year to pursue a national accreditation to better position Hillsides in an increasingly competitive and demanding environment. Although we have been preparing for the accreditation for several months, we have now begun a yearlong process that hopefully with culminate with our accreditation, just in time for our centennial celebration.

As part of the accreditation process, our efforts to continuously address improving the quality of care has been strengthened. A specific committee has been charged with reviewing all our efforts to assure quality services. A  Board committee will review these efforts, which engages not only all levels of staff, but will also solicit input from our many beneficiaries. More than anything else, what we want to reinforce is a culture that values the finest care for the most vulnerable.

In a previous era, it was satisfactory to talk about the good that was being done and point anecdotally to the impact that was made. Today, that is just not good enough--not good enough for those we serve and not good enough for us as an organization if we strive to be a provider of choice.

Hillsides has every reason to be proud of the quality of care it provides the children, youth and families we serve. But like any other organization, it is easy to be satisfied with what we have done or what we are doing without necessarily taking a critical look at how services are delivered and what the true impact is as a result of the care that has been received.

Some argue that it is difficult to measure the impact; there are too many variables out of our control that influence the outcome. Although that may be the case, it is still not an excuse for us to maintain a critical eye on what we do to assure that all we do is the best. Providing quality care is the greatest tool we have to counter those unforeseen variables that impact the lives of those we serve. In doing so, we can influence the outcome.

As I often say, we can never do enough for those we serve. So it is with that desire that we embark on this process with every hope that it will strengthen us as an organization. Further, cultivating this culture of quality care will enable us to fulfill much more effectively our mission of providing a safe “place” for all we serve.