On June 9, Hillsides broke ground on its $12 million capital project, Creating Lasting Change, during a well-attended groundbreaking ceremony on its Pasadena campus. Hillsides donors, volunteers, employees, and children donned hard hats and shoveled dirt in anticipation of the first stage of improvements, which will include a new swimming pool and cabana and an outdoor recreation area that will feature a grassy play area, basketball courts, a large sand box, and swing sets. The road leading to campus will also be reconfigured and a welcoming entrance kiosk will be built.
“Our capital campaign to improve and reimaging our campus began three years ago,” Hillsides Chief Executive Officer Joseph M. Costa told a crowd of 75. “At the heart were our goals to ensure our children’s safety, improve their well-being, and secure permanency so they can continue to thrive as they return home.”
Among others who spoke during the ceremony was Hillsides capital campaign co-chair, Debbe Booth, Hillsides incoming board chair, Donna Ford, and outgoing chair, Brent Mason. Mason thanked the audience for its support of the capital project, giving a nod to the Hillsides board of directors for stepping up to raise the initial $4 million needed for the project.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich was also in attendance. He presented Hillsides with a congratulatory proclamation for the groundbreaking on behalf of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Hillsides Creating Lasting Change capital project has been made possible by numerous individuals and foundations. To date, Hillsides has raised over $9.7 million toward its $12 million goal. The agency expects funding to be completed by the end of 2016. The second stage of the renovations will begin in September, 2016, and include new art and music studios, a large indoor gym and recreation room, a modernized kitchen, and a spacious new dining commons built above a subterranean garage. All renovations should be complete by June, 2018.
Hillsides Pasadena campus consists of residential treatment services for 125 children and 300 family members annually and a therapeutic residential/day school, Hillsides Education Center, that offers academic support with psychological and clinical services to 130 students and some 260 family members annually.
Hillsides, founded in 1913, serves more than 6,200 children and families throughout Los Angeles County, including the San Gabriel Valley and Echo Park. For more information, please visit www.hillsides.org.
