Tom Johnson

A recent UCLA graduate, Johnson took a friend’s recommendation to visit Hillsides, a Pasadena-based residential and community treatment center that creates safe places for at-risk children and their families.  “I immediately liked it here,” Johnson recalled. 

Susanne Crummey, associate executive director of Hillsides, hired the young, enthusiastic Johnson.  “Lots of people kind of stumbled in here just wanting a variety of experience,” Crummey said, “but he was a strong advocate for what he believed should happen for the kids.” 

That kind of dedication helped Johnson become director of program services only four years later.  The new position was created out of the agency’s need for central leadership.  As director, Johnson still works closely with the children, but now functions much like a school principal.   

“He has to discipline the children as well as encourage them, so you hear some children complain,” said John Hitchcock, executive director of Hillsides.  “But they will also go to him to seek help and advice.” 

Johnson’s programs have dramatically improved the quality of care provided to these children.  “We used to have to discharge children because we couldn’t meet their needs,” Hitchcock said.  “Tom created programs to keep this from happening.  We have not had to call for the sudden removal of a child in ten years.” 

This type of success, according to colleagues, is a result of Johnson’s dedication to Hillsides’ mission and philosophy.   “He has a deep concern for the children,” said Director of Operations Gerri Monohan, who has worked with Johnson for 22 years.  “He cares a lot about what he does.” 

Monohan noted that under Johnson’s leadership, Hillsides’ entire residential program changed.  A new emphasis was placed on behavioral programs and a system of rewards.  Johnson also helped create a new consistency between the residential cottages.  “There was more pulling together,” Monohan said. 

On the other hand, Johnson was also committed to ensuring the individuality of each child living in the cottages.  “Tom had a strong belief that children’s individuality should be respected and encouraged,” Crummey said.  “He really raised the level of care of the children in the cottages in that way, ensuring that their individual needs and their talents and experience were encouraged.” 

In his thirty years on campus, Johnson has seen many changes at Hillsides, including the creation of the Hillsides Education Center and the dedication of the Children’s Resource Center.  The biggest change, according to Crummey, has been the advent of the mental health program at Hillsides, which altered the structure of the agency.  “The change required thinking in terms of systems, not just daily problem solving,” Crummey noted.  “Tom’s job grew, both in the way programming was done and in the number of people he supervised.” 

Years later, Johnson is still working on new programs.  Hillsides recently expanded the Independent Living Program, which teaches children real-world skills prior to their emancipation from residential care.  “We help them learn the self-care skills needed to transition to young adulthood, such as applying for jobs or using mass transit,” Johnson said with his typical enthusiasm. “So far it’s going great.”  

Founded in 1913, Hillsides is a residential and community treatment center that creates safe places for children at risk and their families. Visit us at www.Hillsides.org.