Hillsides in Pasadena turns 100 in 2013

Hillsides, a premier provider dedicated to improving the overall well-being and functioning of vulnerable children and families, is celebrating a major milestone in 2013 -- it is turning 100 years old.  Over the course of a century, Hillsides has provided quality, progressive and collaborative programs and services to more than 110,000 individuals in Southern California.

From its inception in 1913, Hillsides broke the mold.   Hillsides was founded by a compassionate young Deaconess, Evelyn Wile, who was on a mission to reform the orphanages of her day.  She took it upon herself to open a home for neglected and abandoned children that rejected the typical institutional model of care at the time.  Instead she preferred a campus setting with cottages so the children could live and flourish in a loving, home environment.

Over the years, Hillsides developed the capacity to always look for additional ways to best serve children and bring out their full potential.   The organization relocated to 17 rolling acres in Pasadena and switched from being an orphanage to a residential center that provides specialized care for at-risk and fragile children and youth.
 
In addition, Hillsides established the Education Center, which offers individualized educational plans for students with special needs or behavioral problems.   The organization also launched several Family Resource Centers that offer crucial mental health services to families throughout Los Angeles and Pasadena.  And it created an innovative program, Youth Moving On, to help former foster children successfully transition to adulthood.   These four core programs of Hillsides revive spirits, renew trust, and restore hope to over 7,000 individuals a year.

In order to mark 100 years of service and to develop a strategic roadmap to the future, Hillsides has created a new mission statement, which is: to provide high quality care, advocacy, and innovative services that promote safe, permanent environments where young people can thrive.   Hillsides has also redefined and recommitted to the core values it was founded on:  Individual Integrity, Quality Care, Innovation, People, Impact, Advocacy, and Accountability.

“Much has changed in the last century,” said Joseph M. Costa, Hillsides chief executive  officer.   “Pasadena has grown into a large, thriving metropolis, our campus has expanded  to include numerous new buildings, and we’ve developed an extensive network of services throughout the community.  Yet some things remain the same – quality care, innovation, and advocacy.  These  principals are the foundation for  the next 100 years.”

Hillsides has dozens of exciting events planned for 2013.   One of the biggest of the year is just around the corner:  Hillsides Centennial Gala, held Saturday night, February 23, at The Langham, Huntington, Pasadena, which will feature celebrities such as Emmy award-winning actress Jean Smart, NBC4 weathercaster Fritz Coleman, comedian George Lopez and talk show host Dr. Drew Pinsky.

Hillsides will also be launching a social media campaign, “100 Faces of Hillsides,” where it will feature 100  individuals who have a connection to Hillsides, and a “100 Ways to Give” campaign. To learn more and be a part of the centennial celebration, visit www.Hillsides.org.

A Short History of Hillsides: 

1913:   Hillsides began as an orphanage for 13 children in a home on Avenue 28 in what is now Highland Park.   The founder of Hillsides, a Deaconess  in the Episcopal Church, Evelyn Wile, scrubbed the house herself to prepare it for the children.

1918:  Hillsides moved to three homey cottages on the site of our current Residential Treatment Services on Avenue 64 in Pasadena.   Here, on 17 rolling acres, the children could receive the fresh air, space, and loving care they needed to thrive. 

1927:    The Administrative Building was completed.

1942:   Due to World War II, the number of children at Hillsides surged.   Despite food rationing,    Hillsides’  kitchen passed inspection by the state dietitian with flying colors – an A+.

1960:  The home began  to shift from an orphanage to a safe refuge for children in the foster care system or those suffering from abuse or emotional troubles.   This new focus was heralded as “a revolution in child agencies.”

1962:   Hillsides celebrated its 50th birthday by ground-breaking for a new junior boys’ cottage and a swimming pool.

1973:   Hillsides opened  a satellite house for teenage girls.  A second off-campus home for boys opened  two years later, in 1975.

1982:   Hillsides opened  its Education Center.  That same year it also created the Family Resource Centers to address the needs of the children’s families.  Eight years later, in 1990, it created its first off-campus mental health facility in Echo Park to expand its aid to the community.

2000:   The campus added a children’s resource center, library, health services, new classrooms and two new cottages. 

2004:  Youth Moving On began.  

2007:  Hillsides integrated “Wraparound”  Services  as an added layer of support to keep children in their homes and find children permanent homes.

2013:  Hillsides, which now provides educational and behavioral services throughout Southern California,  celebrates 100 years of helping at-risk children and families.