Hillsides Community BlogAt the recent conference of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, a keynote speaker addressed the impact of trauma on the children and families we serve. She began with a powerful exercise that asked each of us to recall a trauma…
About
Hillsides is a premier provider dedicated to improving the overall well-being and functioning of vulnerable children, youth, and their families. Our vision is to create lasting change in the lives of all at-risk children and youth we serve. We provide…
What’s new
We’ve expanded our blog to include wellness topics, covering mental well-being, fitness, and nutrition, and community resources penned by Hillsides staff. Complementing the weekly blog, “Costa’s Call,” Hillsides CEO Joseph M. Costa discusses pressing and newsworthy issues that impact child welfare.
Contact
Hillsides 940 Avenue 64 Pasadena, CA 91105 323-254-2274 Support Services 815 Colorado Blvd., Ste. 300 Los Angeles, CA 90041 323-543-2800
Costa's Call
How One Family Opened Their Hearts and Their Home to Four Siblings in Foster Care
The Alvarados’ home is filled with the voices of happy children calling “mom” and “pa.” These words may not seem special to the average family, but to Rosalinda and Carlos Alvarado, they mean everything. Four of their seven children…
A Startling Substance Abuse Statistic That Can No Longer Be Ignored
Recently I attended a conference on Substance Use Disorders, and I left the gathering stunned by how pervasive this disorder is in our society. It is not only ubiquitous, but, like mental illness, often not addressed adequately, underreported and misunderstood….
How understanding trauma gets to the cause of behaviors
At the recent conference of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, a keynote speaker addressed the impact of trauma on the children and families we serve. She began with a powerful exercise that asked each of us to recall a trauma…
Why our Brains Crave Novelty and How to Get More in Your Life
By Alison Bell A few months ago I decided to return to school after 30-something years out of the classroom. I have now been a Cal State LA English graduate student for three days. In that time I’ve spent hours…
What it Takes to Beat a Dysfunctional Family, Foster Care, Homelessness, and Poverty
By Michael Gallardo, Youth Moving On intern Some people never make it. My father never made it: neither did my mom. I have seven sisters and five brothers and know the foster care system like the days of the week….
