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!

Why this friendship is as deep as family

Friendship as deep as family is how Cindy Roberts, a mentor volunteer at Youth Moving On (YMO), described her seven-year relationship with Jammie Peterson on NBC 4’s television series, “Life Connected,” featuring individuals who pay it forward. Cindy’s effect  on Jammie has been profound and points to the indispensable role volunteers have on the children and youth we serve at Hillsides.

For Cindy, mentoring at YMO was her way to give back after finishing cancer treatment. At YMO she was introduced to Jammie who, at that time, was living in the supportive housing program. A friendship developed, and Cindy has served as a role model for her ever since. Now, in her own way, Jammie models for another generation of vulnerable children and youth that in spite of challenges much can be accomplished.

For youth at YMO, mentors like Cindy are essential. Always present to support and encourage, Cindy went beyond the usual mentor relationship by establishing a profound friendship with Jammie, welcoming her into her home, and serving as a faithful friend celebrating Jammie’s many achievements.

Even more extraordinary is that Cindy is a cancer survivor. Like many who have confronted their own immortality, perspective changes, nothing is taken for granted, and every opportunity is seized. Cindy’s commitment to Jammie is a testimony of her dedication and intent to make a difference.

Like Jammie, we have about 40 young people who are being served at YMO through various programs. These youth could benefit from a mentor--someone who can focus on them, interact without judgment, support unconditionally, and encourage consistently.

Often we underestimate what can be accomplished for foster youth who are striving for independence. As Thomas Lee, the division director of transition-aged youth services, mentioned in the television segment, the road to independence can be daunting for these young people. As much as we might understand the challenge and be empathetic, what these youth need more than anything else are people who can help them dream and patiently guide them as they set a direction to achieve it. These people would serve as mentors who genuinely believe in their potential.

Cindy was that person for Jammie and, as a result, they have become part of one another’s lives…truly life connected. Would you consider being a mentor? Could you give your time and energy to support one of our many young adults? The challenges are great, but the rewards can be life changing. Contact Thomas Lee at 626-765-6956 for more information on how you can become a mentor.

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.

Thanks and giving

Thanksgiving is a time to express our gratitude for what we have received yearlong in the presence of family and friends. This time offers us an opportunity to reflect on the charitable favor we have been given—a generous donor and a volunteer community who has dedicated years to our mission of creating lasting change.

This particular holiday, on this centennial year, gives pause to think about our 100 years of serving children, youth, and families in need. We’ve seen children abandoned by parents, others who have faced violent tragedies, and those who suffer from emotional turmoil. We’ve worked with youth who have left the foster care system and faced homelessness, battled mental disorders or struggled with maintaining employment. We’ve served families who have been distraught by traumatic situations, impacted by mental illness, and challenged by children enduring behavioral issues. At the end of the day, we have remained hopeful for each one. Each child, youth or family has been effectively touched by our staff’s expert care, compassion, and dedication to meet their individual needs.

How is it that we are able to do this for 100 years? Thanks and giving. Our founder Deaconess Evelyn Wile laid the foundation for the charitable work we do in our community. She demonstrated thanks to every person, church, company, organization, and foundation that supported Hillsides mission. Our donors and volunteers’ commitment to continually give to our mission has enabled us to continue to the do the individualized treatment for each child, youth, and family. We continue to give thanks. The giving pledges of support that we receive from you help us ensure our clients’ well-being, safety, and permanency. Giving keeps the hope alive for thousands each year.

There is a movement spearheaded by Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet called the Giving Pledge that was featured on “60 minutes” recently. Two requirements must be met to be part of this movement: individuals must have an excess of one billion dollars in wealth and be willing to give half of it away to charity. Buffet says that the wealth has no real utility to billionaires, but that “wealth has incredible utility to other people. It can educate children, it can vaccinate children. It can do all kinds of things.” Billionaires like the Gates and Buffet realize that government alone cannot solve the world’s problems. Philanthropists who have wealth can influence and collaborate with foundations and charities to problem-solve today’s issues.

Those who pledge to Hillsides understand that their philanthropic giving means providing hope and changing the lives of other people—children who have never had childhoods can regain them, youth who have lived under bridges or on the streets can find a safe apartment, and families who have been torn apart by domestic violence can break the cycle for generations who follow. This is the utility to other people, to organizations like Hillsides.

As you read this blog post, let’s imagine a virtual table where we can give thanks together for what we share in common: People. People who demonstrate unconditional support for the work we do, who improve our lives, and who dedicate time to serve. Let us also be mindful that the giving pledges we receive for our programs and services to children, youth, and families in need enhances and strengthens the quality care we provide. May we continue to share a bountiful table of thanks and giving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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.

Hermit Crabs and the Season of Giving

As I walked out of the Children's Resource Center the other day, I ran into one of our residents, who was meeting with his therapist, when he asked to see me. Not wanting to disrupt his conversation with his therapist, I suggested I would see him later. He asked when and suggested that I stop by the cottage later that afternoon--how could I say no! So at the appointed time I went over to the cottage and found him enjoying ice cream, his afternoon snack. There really wasn't anything urgent he wanted to discuss, he just appreciated that I would check in on him.

As we visited for a bit, he mentioned that he had a pet hermit crab. He could see my amazement and curiosity about this peculiar pet and offered to show it to me. Sure enough in a well-cared glass container was not just one but two hermit crabs burrowing into the packed soil flooring looking for "treats." This young boy knew more about hermit crabs than I could ever imagine anyone would ever want to know and he was thrilled to be able to share his love for his pets with me.

Sometimes it doesn't take much to let a child know how important they are. It is our time, attention, and ultimately our consistency that helps a child who is leery of adults, once again, begin to trust. Helping a child trust again is a priceless gift and perhaps the greatest one we can offer here at Hillsides.

As much as this time of year is taken up with holiday related activities, it is also a time when we prepare gifts for those dear to us--gifts that convey our affection and commitment. As we celebrate with family, friends, and colleagues, we also remember those who for whatever reason are not as fortunate and extend our gift giving to include them. Each year Hillsides reaches out to the community to solicit your assistance to help make the holidays memorable for all the children, youth, and families we serve. Please consider helping us.

Recently, a board member encouraged all our board members to identify a child, youth or family to adopt during the holidays. She shared with fellow board members her experience with a family she adopted one year and how the simplest gifts offered to this family were not only gratefully acknowledged, but had a profound impact on her, making the holiday even more memorable.

 
Whether it's a toy, clothing item, gift certificate or cash donation, everything helps to make this season truly memorable. All your efforts for those we serve go a long way to restoring hope and building trust. Never underestimate what your gift can accomplish.

 

A Eulogy for Margaret Campbell: Volunteer Leader Extraordinaire

Margaret Campbell with Hillsides CEO Joe Costa and
The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno

Word came a few weeks ago that one our long time community leaders, Margaret Campbell had passed away after a brief illness. Just about a month ago Margaret and I had one of our occasional luncheons and although she was already frail, she was never-the-less very much engaged as I shared with her some of the initiatives that we are entraining at Hillsides. As always, she was keenly interested and provided great advice on how to pursue our mission. She was witty, entertaining, and insightful.

Margaret was introduced to me by my predecessor John Hitchcock. During the month and a half, John and I spent together before I assumed the position of CEO, we visited a number of community leaders. At the top of his list of people for me to meet was Margaret. He got animated in describing her to me, as sharp witted, opinionated, determined, and an unapologetic advocate for Hillsides. He counseled me that although he didn’t always agree with Margaret, he did never-the-less always respect her commitment and appreciated her dedication to the children we serve.

Our luncheon meeting was the first of many at which Margaret provided me with one of her many pieces of advice like “dear, you need to patronize those who support you.” She was the master of the quid pro quo and was never ashamed of soliciting support for Hillsides, always quick to make note of the value local businesses gained from association with such a respected charitable organization. It was a delightful first encounter and an important introduction to someone for whom I quickly came to respect, admire, and care about.

Subsequent luncheons provided Margaret an opportunity to introduce me to yet other donors and supporters. They were occasions when she would fill me in on what was going on with various people and offer insights into the history and development of Hillsides over the last four decades. From those meetings I left not only having a better sense of Margaret, but also a great appreciation of many who are so significant to the well being of the institution. More than anything else, I learnt that I could count on Margaret as an advisor, a donor, and as a friend. Her loss is profound for all of us at Hillsides.

Margaret was an advocate for the children, youth, and families we serve. Years ago in her role as the president of the Hillsides board of directors, Margaret penned a letter to the editor advocating for needed funding. She ended the letter by saying of Hillsides, “your heart will be warmed by the healing that goes on each and every day at Hillsides…we would like nothing more than to see the need for our agency become obsolete…sadly, however, I do not think I will be blessed enough to see the end of child abuse in my lifetime.”

Although Margaret died before seeing the end of child abuse, she did see the great impact we have on the abused, neglected, and vulnerable children and youth we serve; and she was proud of how our collective effort has led to lasting changing for all we serve.

One of the areas close to Margaret’s heart was the chaplain’s program at Hillsides. She believed deeply in the strength, comfort, and peace that come from spiritual nourishment. She was also an avid supporter of the philosophy that every child has unique gifts to share with the world, and viewed the chaplain’s program as key to this path of discovery. For this reason, her family designated memorial funds towards Margaret Campbell Chaplain’s Fund to support the needs of this program.

Our mission continues and it is strengthened by the devotion and unwavering support of Margaret Campbell. In her memory we sustain the indispensable services we offer.

May she rest in peace!

Back to the Earth

Having grown up in New England, when I first moved to California I missed the changing of the seasons. However, after fifteen years in the Golden State, I’ve become accustomed to the subtle changes that mark the seasons, noticing the movement from cold and rainy season to the invigorating air of spring that brings with it the aromas of new life budding. There is something therapeutic about the rhythm of the seasons and it is important to utilize this natural movement in addressing the needs of the children and youth we serve.

This past week a handful of our residents, led by Art Director Kim Ha and staff, accompanied by wonderful volunteers from our H100 group, joined forces with the Armory Center for theArts to build the FARMory, an educational garden. They cleared a vacant lot in Pasadena to begin the process of transforming it from a derelict parcel to an urban garden that will provide fruits, vegetables and flowers. What a great exercise to celebrate the beginning of spring, filling all involved with the hope of seeing their efforts yield much benefit.

This is such an important activity for those we serve. Often consumed by their own hurts, they fail to appreciate what they can do to make a difference. Preoccupied with concerns that are burdensome, this activity offers the kind of distraction that allows these young people to learn how they can channel their energy to transform what was abandoned. Surrounded by extraordinarily generous and selfless people, they learn, by their example, that they are part of a community that values them.

Springtime is about transformation and this wonderful opportunity was indeed transformative for all involved. Their efforts will bring about new life. The results will far exceed the harvest of this once abandoned parcel of land.

For many of us, this week is a time of religious celebrations recalling our own efforts to be transformed in heart and spirit to lead fuller lives. In our own way at Hillsides, we join with all who cherish this great season of new birth, confident that our many efforts to transform the lives of those we serve will lead to a new life for them filled with hope.

Happy Easter and a Blessed Passover!

Wish List for 2012

 The start of 2012 feels more like ground hog day than the beginning of a great new year. As 2011 came to an end, word came from Sacramento that a short fall in state revenues will require $1 billion in budget cuts in 2012! And where will these cuts come from? Schools, libraries, prisons and services for the disabled, leaving me to think that the Mayan prediction of the world ending in 2012 just might be true!

All joking aside, this news is a sad start to the year for our great state and as Gov. Brown has said the solution lies not just with cuts, but indeed raising the much-needed revenues that would allow us as a community to fulfill our many responsibilities to the State’s most vulnerable.

Some would argue at this time of political impasse at both the national and sate level that there is little that can be done. I argue that it is precisely at this moment that our voices must be raised loud to be heard over all the political vitriol to advocate for the children, youth and families we serve.

So I offer the following wish list as a point of reference for all that we hope to accomplish this year in spite of considerable odds.

1. Keep all we serve safe and healthy, free of harm and hopeful for a better life
2. Provide our dedicated staff with a supportive work environment, honoring their commitment and dedication
3. Continue to cultivate our network of dedicated volunteers
4. Secure adequate public funding for all our services, but especially the education programs
5. Encourage a commitment on the part of our public policy and elected officials to address the needs of children, youth and families we serve
6. Develop a clear and compelling plan to bring Hillsides into a new century of service as we anticipate our centennial anniversary in 2013
7. Strengthen Hillsides’ recognition in our community and in this field
8. Develop a Master Plan for the revitalization of the campus
9. Introduce new donors to the Hillsides mission and successfully raise $2.5 million in private funds
10. Identify opportunities to further fulfill our historic mission

 The one thing we can not afford is to lose our resolve to make 2012 better than 2011 for all those we serve. Join me in making our many wishes for 2012 come true.

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!

Reason to be proud…

Folks often ask me how we measure success for the children and youth we serve. Certainly we can point to any number of outcomes or achievements that demonstrate improvement whether it be in their emotional well-being, social skills or educational performance. But the true measure is ultimately expressed in the success of each and every individual we serve. The challenges that are addressed must never be underestimated and as a result their achievement is made only more remarkable.

Recently Thomas Lee, the director of Hillsides’ transitional housing and services, Youth Moving On, shared with all staff the remarkable story of one of our residents. What follows is Thomas’ presentation of Victor a young man who all of us are very proud.

Just over a year ago, Victor was an undocumented immigrant living at Optimist Homes, in need of housing and a path that wouldn’t jeopardize his probation and the attendant likelihood of deportation hanging over his head like the sword of Damocles.  He applied to Youth Moving On (YMO) for housing and services and was accepted because he only had six months more of probation which would then determine his ability to obtain residency.  All he had was a high school diploma and a fire in his eye that said: “All I want is a chance.”

Victor joined the YMO program and promptly began an internship at one of our best sites: A4 (a team sports and athletic apparel company).  While in the internship, he improved his English, business math, and job seeking skills.  He also enrolled full-time into Pasadena City College and started working toward his associate’s degree. 

Within six months, he gained his residency, helped co-found the Indigenous Peeple Clothing Company, and was hired and given full employment by A4. 

With all those accomplishments, Victor didn’t stand pat.  He travelled to Le Blanc, France with YMO’s internship abroad program, saved over $8000, and was honored by Optimist Homes, Michaela Pereira from KTLA Channel 5 Morning News, and given a commendation by Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe. 

Through it all, Vic has remained humble and hungry for more.  He’s successfully completed his first year of college and is continually looking for more opportunities to make the most of his time at YMO. 

We measure success for Victor and all we serve when they can stand on their own, full of confidence and claim a hopeful future.

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.