Be the Match for #TeamNancy

Years ago when I was the executive director of a residential treatment center in Massachusetts, a former resident came by one evening to check in and catch up. As we sat there talking, he asked about a number of his favorite staff members, cottage counselors, and teachers who had left an impression on him. The visit 20 years ago taught me the greatest impact that we have on the children and youth we serve is through a caring staff. This young man could not tell me about the treatment modality he benefited from but could tell me the names of his favorite staff and recount the countless ways they touched his life.

At Hillsides we are so fortunate to have many staff who have been loyal to the organization for decades. Their commitment to our mission and those we serve is the foundation of our success.  Likewise, the support we give to fellow staff is just as important.  From maintenance, residential treatment and community-based services, to education and administration, staff members provide an indispensable source of support for their peers.

Many staff know one another’s spouses, children and even pets. In such an environment, when happiness and joy touches one person’s life, everyone celebrates.   When hardship and tragedy strike, all pitch in and give support.

Nancy Garni with her husband, Mike Seltzer

Hardship struck one of our senior staff members at Christmas this past year when Nancy Garni, our esteemed chief advancement officer, was diagnosed with leukemia. A routine physical turned into an ordeal that has seen her in and out of City of Hope since January.  Although undergoing continued treatment for leukemia, she is in desperate need of a donor for a blood stem cell transplant. For those of us who work alongside Nancy, appreciate her competence and expertise, and recognize her unwavering commitment to the children and youth we serve, there is nothing we wouldn’t do to see Nancy through this ordeal.

As the result of the initiative of one of our former board members, Mark Mertens, #TeamNancy campaign has been created to help identify a stem cell donor for her. The extraordinary people at City of Hope have teamed up with the Hillsides community to conduct a donor drive. The cost of screening will be underwritten by friends of Nancy so no one should be deterred because of the cost. You can contact Raquel Amezquita of City of Hope directly at 626-251-6258 or please consider being the match by learning more. We’ll be hosting a Be The Match drive at Hillsides Support Services very soon so stay updated by visiting our #TeamNancy page. Join us as we acknowledge Nancy’s commitment to the children, youth, and families we serve and help us to support such an extraordinary member of our staff and community. Join #TeamNancy!

A Celebration of Art

This past Saturday night, on February 22, Hillsides threw its Annual Gala, “A Celebration of Art” at the iconic Langham Huntington, Pasadena.   This extraordinary evening was very successful, raising over $450,000 for our programs and services.

During the evening, 375 guests were treated to fine dining, entertainment, dancing, and a chance to bid on a wide array of items.  Unique to this gala, and in honor of its theme, we auctioned more than a dozen art works, including ones by noted New York artist Paul Gerben as well as by several local talented artists.  The gala also recognized that at heart, Hillsides is an artist as we work to transform children’s pain and trauma into hope and healing.

The evening would not have been successful without the tremendous efforts of the gala chair, Susan Pinsky.   We are most appreciative of her hard work and support, and that of her entire committee.   Also lending support was her husband, Dr. Drew Pinsky, who spoke during the evening and reminded the attendees of Hillsides’ mission to create lasting change in the lives of children and families.

I also want to thank Fritz Coleman, our emcee of the live auction, who helped us raise almost $70,000 on that one portion of the evening.   And I would not want to leave out our talented and tireless director of development, Carrie Espinoza, the entire Advancement Service staff, the legion of volunteers, and the many sponsors who made this gala possible.    A round of applause to all of you.

What follows is a video we presented at the event .  It was truly wonderful to see all of you who attended, and for those who couldn’t, we hope to see you at next year’s gala and you can still make an impact by making a gift.

Excited for music

The other day while visiting the playing field I was introduced to a resident I had not met before. He was understandably shy but welcomed the opportunity to greet me. He was holding a blank piece of paper and I asked what it was for. He explained that it was for a project he was doing and did not seem eager to offer any details. A while later while I was talking to a member of our recreation staff, the same resident approached me this time with some lyrics on the paper, explaining his excitement about recording these lyrics to some music he had selected. The staff member encouraged him and shared with him the details of the upcoming recording session. He lit up at the thought of being able to record his lyrics to music.

I can’t wait to hear what will come of the recording session. A shy, seemingly vulnerable boy finally gets a chance to express himself…priceless. Of course, all this has little to do with the final product, but rather the importance of the experience itself.  More than anything else, it is essential for him to know that he can say what he thinks and feels, his voice will be heard and respected, and what he has to say is important. For youngsters, whose sense of worth has been compromised by indifference if not neglect, an opportunity to express themselves can be transformational.

The arts program at Hillsides provides a special way that our residents can express what they feel in their hearts and have on their minds without necessarily conforming to the usual norms governing either an instructional or clinical session. It is a way to tap into their creative energy and to learn the joy and pleasure of being spontaneous and enthusiastic while revealing an important sense of who they are.

What is offered through the expressive art program is indeed therapeutic. In tandem with the clinical and educational staff, our art and recreational specialists support the overall goal of ameliorating the trauma experienced by children. The staff restore children to a sense of well-being essential for their reunification with family and community.

Integrating expressive arts to augment traditional therapies has become an indispensable part of services offered at Hillsides. At the upcoming gala, this program will be featured with the hope of generating much-needed funding to sustain it.

If you have not yet secured a ticket to this wonderful event, please contact Carrie Espinoza, director of development, at 323-543-2800, ext. 121 and make arrangements to support the many initiatives at Hillsides to create lasting change for all we serve.

Hillsides' war on poverty

Fifty years ago this month, President Johnson initiated this nation’s war on poverty. Much has been accomplished and yet much is still left to be done. Poverty is at the root of so many challenges that we face as a country. Frequently we get engrossed in many issues regarding child welfare that more often than not would substantially be alleviated if the grip of poverty could be lessened.

In spite of tremendous efforts over the past half-century, Los Angeles County has the highest poverty rate in the nation at 22 percent; nationally the poverty rate is 16 percent. With numbers like these you have to ask what has been the impact of the war on poverty. A typical drive through the County easily demonstrates the great disparities that exist between classes, races, and ethnic groups. Certainly all of the families we serve are indeed poor or are barely surviving against overwhelming odds that place them at risk for succumbing to poverty.

Typical challenges like finding affordable housing, managing an improving but still inadequate public transportation system, accessing good education and child care and maneuvering a nevertheless relatively expensive health care system quickly become insurmountable obstacles when unemployment, disability, and addiction become part of the mix.

For the families we serve, the struggle to avoid poverty is constant and requires their unwavering effort. Nevertheless their stories are of courageous people who in spite of the challenges persevere grateful for the support offered to them and their children. Like perhaps no one else, they know what is required to break the cycle of poverty and are focused on leveraging the services that they receive to create a subsequent generation that is raised up beyond the basic survival they endure.

All the rhetoric about the battle against poverty is empty if the essential services that are necessary to combat poverty are underfunded and easily eliminated. There is no question that there is a corollary with, a poorly funded educational system, lack of access to affordable health care and the rising costs of housing and transportation. These are the fundamental issues often sacrificed in times of economic constraint that undermine the effort of the poor to simply educate their children, live modestly, and sustain a decent job. Is it any wonder that the poverty rate continues to be as significant as it is?

Our efforts at Hillsides, although targeted to address very specific needs of the children, youth and families we serve, become critical sources of support to help them develop the capacity to break the cycle of poverty. Whether it is the individualized education we offer, the array of comprehensive mental health services, the intensive care offered through our residential treatment services or the outreach available to youth transitioning from the foster care system, all these are important pieces in an arsenal to support those we serve as they wage war on poverty.

Clearly good intentions and grandiose plans have not been successful at easing the challenges of the poor. More than ever this important historic point is an opportunity to learn some lessons and recalibrate our efforts so as to be much more effective. Although public funds are essential, they must be matched with private resources and determination by all parties to never settle for anything less than victory over poverty. 

Childhood and holiday wishes fulfilled

I am releasing my weekly blog on Tuesday rather than on Wednesday to coincide with #GivingTuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This is a national movement that celebrates being charitable to others and encourages people to give back to others as we embark on the holiday season. On this day of giving, I am hoping you will consider Hillsides as you look for ways to improve the lives of others. During this time of year, Hillsides receives so many holiday wishes to fulfill, not just for the children who reside here, but for the families and youth in need throughout the community. 

Below is the story of Sarah, whose childhood and holiday wishes Hillsides was able to fulfill.   As you read her story, please keep in mind that without your generosity, children like Sarah would often not receive anything for the holidays. While presents can’t fix a lifetime of hardship, they bring joy and comfort, and give children the sense that they are cared for and important.  Most importantly for children like Sarah, these gifts will last well beyond the holidays and create lifetime memories.

Growing up, Sarah never had a real childhood. The oldest of four, she was thrust into the “mom” role at age 10 when her father abandoned the family and her mother went back to work full-time on the evening shift at a local warehouse.  As a result, Sarah was the one making dinner, giving her siblings baths, and changing diapers.
Eventually Sarah’s mom was unable to keep the family together. At age 13, Sarah entered the foster care system. Two years later, when Sarah arrived  to live at a group home at Hillsides, her therapists realized that in some ways, she was mature for her age, but in others, she was at the developmental stage of a young child.  She was desperate for love and for someone to take care of her.     The staff nurtured Sarah by listening to her, validating her feelings, and looking for opportunities to show they cared about her. When she asked for a doll and a miniature tea set for Christmas, they understood her need to connect with a childhood she’d never had. They made sure she received her desired presents.  They also arranged for her to get her first-ever brand- new coat and a stocking – something else she’d never had before.  Amazed by her gifts, Sarah cried because she never thought she would receive so much and feel so loved.

This holiday season  please fulfill the wishes of children and teens, like Sarah, who without your generosity would not receive anything for Christmas.  

Stress free Thanksgiving

One of our initiatives this year is to develop an organization with the capacity to better serve those in our care who have experienced trauma. Nearly 90 percent of all children served by the child welfare system have experienced some form of trauma that elevates their "toxic stress." Toxic stress is stress that increases the risk of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, drug and alcohol dependency, suicide, teen pregnancy, domestic violence and depression. Although it is just an indicator of risk and not a cause of illness, it is worth noting the relationship that stress and trauma has as a deterrent to well-being.

With this prevalence of stress among those in our care, it is imperative that our treatment interventions and the environment in which we operate are sensitive to this issue to support our clients’ well-being and avoid anything that would further traumatize those who are already so vulnerable. These efforts are very comprehensive and are intended to influence all aspects of our operations, the treatment environment, our interactions with clients, and the manner in which we conduct business.

These efforts reminded me of an interview recently of a mother and son who are served at Hillsides. This adolescent arrived anxious and impulsive, demonstrating significant disruptive behavior that negatively impacted him and his family. His mother was challenged to provide him the support they needed to avoid an escalation of behaviors that were harmful. She was referred to us through their local school system. As we initiated care, we were able to identify the trauma he had experienced and help him and his mother reduce the stress that was so detrimental to their well-being. Months later she says that the services they have received at Hillsides helped her, “to get her life back….to get her son back.”

The process of restoring hope and a sense of well-being can be challenging, but the end result makes the effort very worthwhile. As this family prepares for Thanksgiving they do so freed from some of the burdens that had previously impeded their ability to sit at the same table and enjoy a holiday together. This year there will be something very special for which they will be very thankful--their family restored.

As we prepare for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, let us be ever sensitive to the hurts and traumas that others have experienced and in a very intentional way create an environment where everyone feels safe, welcomed, and supported. In doing so, we lay the foundation to address the stressors that impact us and initiate the process of moving beyond the trauma to hope. 

Nurturing

Hillsides was recently selected by a local artist, Greg Marquez, as the recipient of a dramatic sculpture entitled "Nurturing." The piece is a bronze relief of driftwood that has been carved in such a way as to feature the intimate intertwines of the sinews of a single piece of wood. The artist exposes the natural movement of the wood to form a strong and durable union that reflects the nurturing nature of intertwines.

Given the services we offer, Marquez chose Hillsides for this permanent installation as a way of providing an artistic metaphor about who we are as an organization. Based on a freestanding pedestal, it allows the viewer to see it from various angles, each depicting the interdependence of the driftwood elements to form one strong piece. It stands just outside of the entrance to the administration building on campus as a welcome to visitors and as a statement of our mission to heal and nurture all we serve.

All of us are dependent on relationships that sustain and nurture. We experience these relationships within our families and communities and they are essential to our well-being. For the children, youth, and families in need who we serve, the support and care they receive from Hillsides is critical and makes all the difference to their success. Our reliance on one another reinforces the interdependent nature of the human experience. We need one another!

This statement of interdependence contrasts to the current debate generated by the failure of the initiation of the Affordable Care Act. All that is being said seems to be void of any reference to why this situation is truly alarming. For those who looked to this initiative to assure affordable healthcare, it represents a long awaited access to services that are essential for long-term well-being. We may argue the specific strategies employed to access affordable healthcare, but for the most vulnerable like the children and families we serve the political posturing and bureaucratic incompetence is of no comfort. The reliance on some reasonable system of healthcare is a reminder of how interdependent we are and how essential it us for us to strengthen nurturing bonds that ultimately sustain us in spite of organizational ineptness.

Tomorrow is Halloween, Thanksgiving is less than a month away and soon the great winter holidays will be upon us. This is a season of giving in which the nurturing ties that sustain are celebrated. For us at Hillsides, this is a time when we are reminded of how dependent we are on our donor community to help us reach out to all those we serve, both in our Residential Treatment Services program and through our various community-based services. Through your support and generosity we are able to tangibly demonstrate that we can count on one another to nurture and care for all those we serve.

We are grateful to the artist Greg Marquez whose "Nurturing" reminds us of how essential we are to one another. Learn more about the artist’s interpretation of the sculpture.

We are also grateful to all who faithfully support us and ask that as you put away your Halloween paraphernalia and prepare for the holiday season that you consider supporting our efforts at this time of year to nurture and care for all those we serve. For more information on how you can help go to www.hillsides.org.

Still shooting

On December 14, the nation will mark the year anniversary of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Connecticut. Twenty children and six adults were killed that day in a senseless act of violence. Almost a year later the violence continues with news of a middle school teacher gunned down in Sparks, Nevada shielding his students from a gun wielding classmate. This is not the only time in the last year when there have been reports of gun-related violence in schools.

Regardless of your position on gun control, everyone is asking why this increase in violence and how can we stop this from occurring. Together as communities we should address how to assure that children are kept safe especially in schools and that teachers and school personnel not worry about their security.

The answer is not to arm our teachers or turn schools into fortresses, but rather to create communities that are attentive and responsive to the needs of our children and families. One of the things that we have begun to do at Hillsides is to sensitize all our staff to the role trauma has to play in the lives of the children and families we serve. For many of them they have experienced a great deal of violence not only because of physical threats but also emotional abuse. A word, a gesture or a tone of violence can trigger memories that revisit a traumatic event and prompt an otherwise irrational response.  

We have learnt that without this kind of heightened sensitivity we run the risk of retraumatizing children who are already in vulnerable emotional states. These episodes of post traumatic stress have the ability to destabilize a child and further jeopardize the child’s well-being. It is in this kind of situation that violent outbursts can occur, contributing to a cycle of behavior that is challenging to stop.

An approach to care that is sensitive to the trauma that has been experienced can effectively reduce episodes of post traumatic stress. More importantly, the approach by staff exposes the child and family to an environment that is attentive, supportive and responsive. With in this kind of environment difficult issues can be addressed, solutions can be identified, healthy strategies pursued, and hopefully violence averted.

This is not the only thing that can be done to address a pervasive violent culture, but it certainly is something that can be introduced into all our schools. A trauma-sensitive approach can have a lasting impact not only on our students and their families but also affect our ability to support communities responsive to the needs of the most vulnerable. With any luck it could also be a strategy that contributes to stopping the senseless violence that has become all too pervasive. 

Lifetime achievement

Each year we celebrate those individuals who have helped us make a significant impact on the lives of all we serve. This year among the many individuals that we will honor at the annual Circle of Excellence Awards there is one whose accomplishments are especially noteworthy. Receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award this year is Susanne Crummey, the long time Associate Executive Director, who after 43 years of service is retiring at the end of November.

For many of our staff the thought of working at one place for such a long time is almost inconceivable. Today we are all accustomed to a certain amount of mobility and job diversity. It seems foreign to consider remaining loyal to any one place, institution or even profession. All the more reason for us to be grateful that in such an environment there are great people like Susanne, who in spite of her own ambition, professional career and personal responsibilities, has none the less made an extraordinary commitment to Hillsides. For Susanne, Hillsides is not a job but it is a community where she has had the privilege of being surrounded by like minded and dedicated people who are all focused on one thing--creating a lasting change for all those we serve.

It is within this context that Susanne has provided incredible direction and exemplary leadership that has helped Hillsides grow its capacity to provide indispensable services to increasingly more vulnerable children, youth, and their families. Rooted in a strong therapeutic approach and unquestionably committed to improving the lives of those in her care, she has been a coach, a mentor, a model, and a friend to all who would join with her in the creation of this therapeutic community that is Hillsides.

More than anything else Susanne has brought a very thorough approach to decision-making that engages all parties to seriously consider all the ramifications and always stay focused on the best interests of the child. This very intuitive and holistic way of fulfilling her day-to-day responsibilities has provided the organization with a steady and sure leader who will be sorely missed.

So what is Susanne’s legacy? There are too many achievements, too many individuals, too many initiatives to list. I suggest that her greatest legacy is the lives transformed by her in these 43 years. If this indeed is her legacy, then our testimonial must be lives of dedicated services modeled after such an extraordinary example.                                        

Susanne’s last day will be at the end of November. Between now and then we ask all who have been touched by her selfless and generous care to share with us the contribution that she has made to your life. You can make a comment on the blog or send an email to info@hillsides.org and some will be posted on Facebook. Others can share a remembrance via a Facebook post on Susanne.

 

A surprise welcome back

On Sunday, September 15^th, we celebrated Founder’s Day. The event was one of the last celebrations that have been planned this year to commemorate the establishment of Hillsides one hundred years ago. It was a family-oriented occasion, drawing many people who over the years have been associated with the agency. There were former staff members, community members, longtime volunteers, and of course, some alumni.

Hearing the recollections of those who actually lived at Hillsides is always interesting. For the older alumni their stay at Hillsides was a result of premature death or chronic illness that impacted their families, requiring them to take refuge in a nurturing place as they dealt with tragedy and loss. For the middle-aged alumni, their stories were of a place that gave them a second chance, having been disruptive in their homes and communities for various reasons. The most recent alumni returned to tell the stories of their reintegration with their families and communities and the challenges that they addressed to become independent and successful.

Meeting many alumni is wonderful, yet the one that stands out for me was a young man who only left our care about two years ago. I was actually surprised to see him, but was really moved by how happy he was to be a part of this important celebration. He had come to the celebration on public transportation from where he lives now in the San Fernando Valley. He greeted his former teachers and staff members with a robust embrace, a smile on his face and a warm greeting. As we talked, I was impressed by how important it was for him to make the considerable effort to be part of the celebration. It was his way of saying thank you and an indication of how proud he was to have been part of the Hillsides community. For a young man like himself, whose life is taken up with many challenges and his success is the result of great sacrifice and effort, this celebration was important. An important part of his identity is the care and support that he received at Hillsides.

Part of the celebration was a brief reenactment of the reception of the first child by the founder of Hillsides, Deaconess Evelyn Wile. The script was taken from her own writings that chronicled her tenure. She was a woman driven by a mission to make a difference in the lives of the children she served. I hope that she would be pleased that a century later her vision still inspires and we are faithful at fulfilling the mission she established.

The greatest tribute we can offer to Deaconess Wile is provided by all those who have been served by Hillsides over the years. Their success, their gratitude, their ability to give back as a result of all they received that is the lasting tribute!

To all those who participated in any way in this and  the many centennial celebrations, thank you for all you do to help us fulfill our great mission to create lasting change. 

Dream day

Where were you 50 years ago when Martin Luther King, Jr. led that historic march on Washington, D.C. and shared his famous “I Have a Dream” speech? I was getting ready to enter 8^th grade and had no clue how momentous that march was and the impact it would have for civil rights in this country. Much has changed in 50 years and yet the struggle for civil rights continues. Equality is illusive and freedom requires constant vigilance and effort. As much as some dreams have been fulfilled, others are still denied.

On the anniversary of this great speech, many are asking, “What is your dream?” At Hillsides we ask, “What is the dream for ourselves as an organization and for the children, youth, and families we serve?”

Given the most recent article in the Los Angeles Times addressing the crisis in foster care in the county, my dream is that every child will be kept safe and every child along with their family will receive the support they need to be successful.  In a previous blog, I introduced you to a young boy that was admitted to Hillsides from one of the children’s holding centers mentioned in the article. I wonder what his dreams are? What responsibility does the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) have in putting him in the right path to achieve dreams? How are we helping him fulfill them?

The article reported that DCFS has reached a crisis point because of a severe lack of foster homes and other resources for children and youth in their care. A combination of an increased number of vulnerable families, shortsighted attempts to employ best practices, and a bottomline approach has led to this crisis, which is a long time in coming. As a result, there is a severe shortage of qualified foster homes. County social workers are stretched beyond a reasonable capacity. Providers are forced to do more with far less resources than is necessary. This is a disaster that puts children at risk and caregivers alike.

Dreams are dashed in such an overwhelming environment. But just as with the civil rights struggle, exposing the truth and insisting on improvement are required. There is no magic bullet, but the solutions are known. More resources are needed. Better assessments and measurable, achievable treatment plans must be developed as part of the initial intervention with these children. Early intervention that supports the role of family is essential to long-term success and stability. Effective recruitment of qualified foster homes is imperative. Perhaps if we can strive to improve in these areas, every child’s dream is closer to being fulfilled as they traverse the foster care system.

Increased funding is not the only solution; proven and effective interventions are also necessary. However, the care of the most vulnerable children should not be subject to the budget balancing exercises that often seem to drive decisions regarding their care. It is unacceptable and the result is a system that fails its mission to protect and improve the lives of those it serves.

I have a dream that some day soon we will have created communities that safeguard its children, supports its families, and assures the basic rights of all, especially the most vulnerable.  My dream for the young boy in our care is that we will be a resource for him and his family. By doing so, he will dream of great things for himself and be confident enough to pursue them.

Dreams are just fantasies if there is no reason to hope that they will be realized. One hundred years ago this coming month, a courageous woman acted on her dream to provide a safe and secure home for children whose families no longer were able to provide for them. Each day we take up that dream and commit anew to creating a lasting change for all we serve. Dream with us!

Housewarming to replace damaged items

On Tuesday, July 16, a main water pipe burst in one of our cottages, flooding the place and displacing the 10 adolescent girls who call that cottage home. By the time we were able to stop the flow of water, significant damage had been done. At least a couple of inches of water was everywhere, requiring major repairs to flooring and walls. Although the majority of furnishings were salvaged, some of the girls’ personal items were ruined.

This kind of disaster is terrible, but it quickly became more of a nuisance than anything else. However, for these young girls, vulnerable and easily traumatized, this incident was very disruptive. The loss of their personal space and some belongings as well as the need to relocate to a makeshift dormitory was truly traumatizing for them.

Luckily, most of the residents affected and their staff made the best of the situation. We needed to act quickly to restore the cottage and get these girls back into their own space.

We are very fortunate our insurance broker and carrier were quick to assess the damage and facilitate the claims process so that we could begin repairs immediately. All the flooring had to be replaced. Four inches at the bottom of each wall had to be cut out to assess the water damage and begin the drying process. Once the cottage was dry and free from any mold, the walls were repaired and painted before the flooring could be installed. Less than a month later, the girls are at least back in their own bedrooms while we complete the rest of the cottage. We are indebted to everyone who came to our aid at this time. In a particular way, this incident tested our disaster readiness and, once again, demonstrated how extraordinary our residential and maintenance staff are.

Insurance coverage will address expenses related to restoring the cottage to good working order. But it will not provide for the loss of personal items that the girls experienced, like comforters, pillows, stuffed animals, electronics, clothing, and especially shoes. We want to replace these items to help the girls, once again, feel at home in this cottage.

We are hoping that via this blog we can solicit your support to replace these personal items. The list is available online with instructions on how to donate. As always, gift certificates are welcomed and serve as a great way to engage the girls in selecting the replacements items. There is no better remedy to recover from this traumatic event than to provide these girls with some shopping therapy!

As always, thanks for the support you offer and know that your assistance will go a long way in helping these young girls feel at home. We encourage you to please share this blog with your family and friends in hopes that they, too, can help spread the word on how we need support to help replace the personal belongings for these girls.

Day one

Although I enjoy regular contact with any number of officials at the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), it is rare that I get a direct request for assistance regarding a child being referred to our Residential Treatment Services. But sure enough, there was a plea to give immediate and special consideration for an 11-year-old boy. The child had been in  multiple foster homes and each placement ended with a psychiatric hospitalization and foster parents feeling overwhelmed and tentative. The child’s family was not in a position to receive the child and, therefore, not an immediate resource for him. Having returned from a brief hospitalization, this young boy now sat at the DCFS emergency office with no clear indication of a long-term plan for treatment.

As we reviewed the admissions packet, there was a fair amount of concern for the likelihood of success. The team discussed the case in length and during this time the conversation shifted; slowly each member of the group was able to indicate some hope that we could be effective. So in spite of the odds, we approved the child for admission to the great relief of DCFS.

This is the first time that this young boy would be in a setting like ours and to no one’s surprise he did not react well initially. As promised, I looked in on him soon after he arrived and found four staff members all engaged at trying to settle him down and reassure him that he would be safe. I left the encounter wondering whether we had made the right decision and concerned that perhaps we could not effectively care for him. Periodically, I checked my e-mails to see if there were any incident reports that might indicate an escalation in his behavior and I was prepared to hear that he had been hospitalized again. But as the old saying goes, “No news is good news!”

A few days had pass so I asked about him hoping that all was well.  Aside from his first few hours of anxiously assessing his situation, this young boy had begun to interact with his cottage mates and was allowing staff to engage him. He was happy with his new bedroom, thrilled with the goodies in his welcome bag, and especially excited about getting in the pool. From combative and anxious, he was now engaged and playful.  

I’m sure the euphoria of these first few days will wane soon and that we will confront a number of challenges as we get this young boy on a path to a stable life. I could not help, but feel pleased that we were able to receive this child and begin the process of restoring hope for him.

We are so fortunate to have an extraordinary staff, well equipped to provide the care that will make all the difference in the success for this boy and his family. At the end of the day, this is what Hillsides is all about. A month from now we will celebrate the 100^th anniversary of our founding. Well over 100,000 children have been served in this century, all of them vulnerable and desperate for the kind of care that makes a lasting change.  Follow the blog as I provide you with updates on this newest resident and join with us as we celebrate our centennial on September 15.

She is fabulous

Joining Susanne Crummey (Bottom row, third from left) is Susan Pinsky, Hillsides Board Member (left of Susanne)

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Susanne Crummey's office you feel like you have entered Santa’s workshop. In the corners of the office are stacks of toys and other kinds of prized treasures for children. I’ve always found it curious, but never felt the need to delve into why there was so much “stuff” in her office. Then one day it became clear to me why all those items had been kept in her office.

As I stopped by to catch up with her on a couple of issues, Susanne was busy preparing a “welcome bag.” The welcome bag provides new residents with an array of items to help them settle into their rooms and feel welcomed at Hillsides. The bags are huge, the size of a large duffle bag and filled with stuffed animals, games, electronics, music discs, and some clothing. Each is individually prepared to meet the specific needs and interests of the new resident and personally prepared by Susanne. Needless to say, this is not listed as one of her many responsibilities as the associate executive director, but clearly is one of those activities that she relishes and links her to the children we serve.

Susanne has general oversight over all clinical aspects of the agency. She does a marvelous job and has provided extraordinary leadership on any number of critical issues for the organization. But satisfying these responsibilities does not adequately define who Susanne is. More than anything else, Susanne is the touchstone that keeps all of us rooted in Hillsides mission to create lasting change for all those we serve. We are so fortunate to benefit from her exemplary leadership.

This past week she was honored by THE Magazine as one of Pasadena’s 50 fabulous women. It was great that the community at large was able to celebrate what we all have known for some time--Susanne is indeed fabulous and a great example of the extraordinary staff that we have at Hillsides.

What sets Hillsides apart is not just the quality services that we offer to vulnerable children and their families, but in a particular way it is our extraordinary staff who embrace a “can do” approach to being an essential resource for all those we serve. It is not sufficient to encourage our staff to take up this approach. This really needs to be modeled so that in concrete terms, staff come to understand what it is to be focused and dedicated to the children, youth, and families in our care. Susanne serves as such a model and indeed does a fabulous job at it.

Along with her were two other fabulous women who were honored and are also associated with Hillsides: Susan Pinsky, a long time Board member and Leah Mason, the wife of Board member Brent Mason and member of our support network H100.To Susanne, Susan, Leah and all the Fabulous 50, congratulations! 

End of the cycle

There was not a dry eye in the room as a former resident, Walter Ramirez, shared his experience as a young boy at Hillsides 20 years ago. He spoke very compellingly of the impact that staff and volunteers had on him during his two-year stay here. He described his behavior as oppositional and defiant, but in spite of his problematic behavior, what he received in return was understanding, patience, and the opportunity to move beyond his anger.

Now successfully employed and the father of a 14 year old, he is dedicated to providing for his son all that he was denied as a youth. As he said to volunteers gathered for a biannual appreciation celebration, “the cycle ends with me.”

While the Los Angeles Times features articles focusing on the inadequacies and deficiencies of the foster care system, Walter’s story is one of success against all odds. Perhaps the most moving testimony he offered was that while he was at Hillsides he was so impressed by the care offered by staff and volunteers that he felt loved for the first time.

His ability to know that he was loved and to love in return was the greatest gift Hillsides offered him, a gift that has endured through these many subsequent years. His gratefulness is expressed in his efforts to be a loving and responsible dad to his son and to volunteer in his own community so that other young people like him might in return know the gift of kind, patient, and dedicated adults.

Studies show that the greatest differentiating factor pointing to success for children in the foster care system is an adult who can offer a stable, caring presence in their lives. This sense of unconditional love becomes the sustaining force that allows a child to manage the challenges and vulnerabilities of life with a sense of hope.

It was wonderful to have Walter share his story because it encouraged the many volunteers to persevere and know that what they do makes a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Never underestimate the contribution that you can make and how the memories created endure and serve as a touchstone in life. Hillsides is blessed with a strong and diverse volunteer core. Over and over again, I hear residents speak of their special friend or mentor and how they enjoy the time spent with them.

The needs are great and the presence of a dedicated volunteer community allows us to go beyond the limitations imposed by fiscal constraints to create significant memories for very vulnerable children and youth. The memories created are all pathways to hopeful futures. Please consider volunteering at Hillsides. For more information, please contact Laura Kelso at 323.254.2274 ext. 251.