Local Girl Scout Brightens Building that Serves Emancipated Foster Youth

Pasadena Girl Scout AnaLara Vinci spent much of her free time recently painting a supersized Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services logo at the organization’s Transitional Independent Living Program facility (851 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena). The teen, who is a junior at Immaculate Heart High School, initiated the artistic endeavor in an effort to earn the Girl Scout Gold Award – the highest achievement available in Girl Scouting.

Vinci was introduced to Hathaway-Sycamores, one of Southern California’s leading children’s mental-health and welfare agencies, by Pasadena resident and Hathaway-Sycamores’ Board Member Bessie Ruiz-Ramirez. Vinci was drawn to the organization’s Transitional Independent Living Program (TILP) site because it serves teens and young adults, not far from her age, by meeting a critical need for housing and supportive mental-health services for youth who are transitioning from foster-care placements to adulthood and independent living. This is an extremely vulnerable population; according to the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, 45 percent of youth emancipated from LA County’s foster-care system become homeless. Hathaway-Sycamores’ TILP is dedicated to preventing the youth in its care from falling into this statistical category by providing them with subsidized housing, financial assistance, job experience, and training in the skills needed to live independently as adults.

Vinci, who is a member of Girl Scout Troop 3571, said that her goal in painting the mural-sized logo was “to create a bright and inspiring environment for the teenagers and young adults who come to the facility for services. I think by doing so it will help make Hathaway-Sycamores the happy sanctuary these young people need.” Vinci added that she hopes the new “artwork will be meaningful to them and will inspire them to continue working, studying, and thriving in their lives.”

As part of earning her Girl Scout Gold Award, Vinci additionally plans to paint a second inspiring mural at Hathaway-Sycamores’ TILP facility. She also is going to develop a reference guide that lists free and low-cost art classes available throughout Pasadena. The guide will then be distributed to youth served at all Hathaway-Sycamores’ locations. Vinci was motivated to create the guide because she believes that engaging in artistic activities is a therapeutic form of self-expression that could benefit those receiving services from Hathaway-Sycamores.

Commenting on Vinci’s efforts, Hathaway-Sycamores’ President and CEO William Martone said, “It’s always heartwarming when young people reach out to other young people in an effort to have a positive impact. We’re very fortunate that AnaLara decided to share her artistic talents with Hathaway-Sycamores.”