[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 21407-21408]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO HILLSIDES HOME FOR CHILDREN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 2003

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Hillsides Home for 
Children in Pasadena. On October 5, 2003, Hillsides will celebrate its 
ninetieth anniversary with a carnival to honor the achievements of 
those who have devoted countless hours to Hillsides, as well as to 
celebrate the children who have been greatly helped by the home.
  Hillsides opened its doors in 1913 as an Episcopal Orphanage known as 
The Church Home for Children. Deaconess Evelyn Wile formulated the 
agency's mission of loving care, therapeutic healing, special 
education, family crisis intervention and children's rights advocacy. 
This vision continues to be the focus of Hillsides over ninety years 
later. Today, Hillsides is a private non-profit treatment center, but 
it is considered an official institution of the Los Angeles Diocese of 
the Episcopal Church.
  While Hillsides began its journey solely as an orphanage, the agency 
has since branched off into several other areas. For children suffering 
from abuse and mental illness, Hillsides provides them with a safe 
place that they can call home. The main campus contains six residential 
cottages for emotionally disturbed children ranging in age from seven 
to thirteen. On the campus, Hillsides provides a home and intensive 
treatment services geared to healing

[[Page 21408]]

and redirecting kids who have experienced traumatic upbringings. In 
addition to the on-campus housing, there are two off-campus group homes 
which house twelve teenagers. These off-campus facilities provide 
residential treatment, mental health care, and practical skills 
training for independent living after the youth leave Hillsides Home 
for Children.
  Hillsides has also responded to the need for counseling at-risk 
families to prevent abuse before it starts, and in 1996, the family 
center was opened. This center provides a broad range of programs from 
counseling services to classes designed to strengthen families and 
protect children. Clearly, Hillsides acts as a voice for children 
through advocacy.
  I am proud to recognize Hillsides Home for Children as an integral 
component of our community by providing a safe haven for children, 
strengthening families and advocating for children's rights.
  It is for these extraordinary achievements that I ask all Members to 
join me in congratulating Hillsides Home for Children for their ninety 
years of remarkable work.

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