Macy’s has awarded Hillsides Education Center $3,500 for art and music education. The check presentation was recently made at the Macy’s Lake Avenue store in Pasadena. Alice Santos, VP/Store Manager of Macy’s Pasadena, presented the check to Hillsides chief advancement officer Carrie Espinoza at a pre-store opening rally of Macy’s employees.

“We are so appreciative of Macy’s for supporting our arts program because the arts are so important for the emotional healing of the Hillsides children,” said Espinoza. “Many of the children have expressed how art and music has helped them recover from past traumas and pain, and with Macy’s support, our arts and music program can remain vital.”

Hillsides Education Center is one of Hillsides four core programs. The school serves some 125 students who experience emotional, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities. Many of the youth are in foster care. The art and music program supports the students’ progress in their academic, behavioral, and therapeutic goals. The art and music curriculum consists of graphic arts, visual arts, drama, and music courses and classes are aligned with California’s educational standards.

Hillsides, headquartered in Pasadena, is a child welfare non-profit organization serving children in foster care and families in crisis throughout Los Angeles County. Besides the Hillsides Education Center, Hillsides also maintains a residential treatment services program for children unable to live at home, Family Resource Centers for families in crisis, and Youth Moving On, a program helping youth formerly in foster care or probation transition to successful adulthood. For more information, please visit www.hillsides.org.