Hillsides Launches Adopt-A-Family Program for Holidays

Hillsides, a foster care charity, has launched an adopt-a-family program for the holidays. The charity has set a goal of providing 70 families with gifts and food for the holiday season, and is reaching out to the community to fulfill this goal.

“Without this program, families will not be able to celebrate Christmas or have enough food to feed their family when the children are home from school during the holidays,” said Laura Kelso, Hillsides director of community resources. “These donations will restore some sense of happiness in the families’ lives, bringing them comfort and joy and the knowledge that someone cares about them this holiday season.”

Community members can choose the size of the family they wish to adopt, ranging from small (1 – 3 people), medium (3 – 5 people), or large (five plus individuals). The cost of adopting each family member is approximately $100. The deadline for adopting and shopping for a family is December 16.

To adopt a family, please contact either Community Resources Assistant Stephanie Lopez at slopez@hillsides.org or (323) 254-2274, ext. 1258 or Kelso at lkelso@hillsides.org or (323) 254-2274, ext. 1251. Donors will receive a family profile, with specific needs and wishes of each family member, and instructions on shopping and dropping off the items.

For more information on adopting a family or for those who would like to support a family but don’t have time to shop, please visit http://www.hillsides.org/content/adopt-family-holidays. For those unable to commit to adopting a family, Hillsides is also asking for gift cards in increments of $25 to stores such as Food 4 Less, Ralphs, Smart & Final, Walmart, and Vons. Those interested in purchasing gift cards can also contact Lopez or Kelso.

About Hillsides

Hillsides provides high quality care, advocacy, and innovative services that promote safe, permanent environments where children and youth can thrive. Headquartered in Pasadena, the agency and its affiliation with Bienvenidos serves 13,000 children and families in Los Angeles County throughout its 35 sites, including school-based mental health offices in Los Angeles, Pasadena, and Baldwin Park. Foster care and adoptions services in approved resource family homes serve families in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. To learn more about both agencies, visit www.Hillsides.org and www.Bienvenidos.org. Visit Hillsides on Facebook @hillsideschildren, on Twitter @Hillsides, or on Instagram @HillsidesPasadena.