Hillsides Launches Adopt-A-Family Program for 100 Families

Alisa is a sweet, nurturing grandmother who is caring for her five grandchildren due to her daughter’s drug addiction. Alisa has fought hard to keep her grandchildren, ranging in age from 14 to 5, out of foster care. When one day she received news the children were at risk of going into foster care, she was referred to the Hillsides Family Resource Center. The Hillsides team was able to make sure Alisa kept her grandchildren in her care and also facilitated her move into a safer area and a larger home.

Alisa recently received even more good news when her Hillsides therapist let her know that Hillsides was going to provide grocery store gift cards, food, and gifts for her family during the holidays. Alisa was so touched she began to cry, knowing that on top of all the other blessings, this year, her grandchildren were going to have a merry Christmas.

Alisa’s family is one of 100 that Hillsides is hoping to bring holiday cheer to through its annual Adopt-A-Family program. The agency has set a goal of providing 100 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 14.

To adopt a family, please contact either Kelso at lkelso@hillsides.org or (323) 254-2274, ext. 1251 or Community Resources Assistant Stephanie Lopez at slopez@hillsides.org or (323) 254-2274, ext. 1258. 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 Kelso or Lopez.

Hillsides, headquartered in Pasadena, is a premier provider dedicated to improving the overall well-being and functioning of children, youth, and families in need. For more information on Hillsides, please visit www.hillsides.org.