Teen Gifts Needed To Fulfill Holiday Wishes at Hillsides Charity

(PASADENA) Sarah*, 16, never had a real childhood. The eldest of four, she was thrust into the “mom” role at age 10 when her father abandoned the family and her mom went to work full-time. Sarah took care of her siblings -- making dinner, giving baths, and changing diapers. Money was tight, and there was no cash for extras, such as holiday gifts.
When Sarah came to live at Hillsides Residential Treatment Services program when she was 15, her therapists were determined to give her a happy Christmas. They asked her to write a holiday wish list, which included a coat, nail polish, art supplies, and a scarf. But now the challenge was, who would fulfill these holiday wishes?
Every holiday season, generous donors provide gifts for the children of Hillsides. However, “it is a challenge for us to find gifts for the teens because many people prefer to give presents to the younger children. This leaves us scrambling to fulfill the holiday gift wishes of the older children,” said Joseph M. Costa, Hillsides chief executive officer. “We are therefore asking the community this holiday season to consider giving to the many teens in need who live at Hillsides or who we serve through our Family Resource Centers located across Los Angeles County.”
With this in mind, Hillsides has created a Hillsides Holiday Giving Teen Wish List. Items on the list include pastels and watercolor sets, purses, skateboards, soccer balls, tennis rackets, books, Forever 21 gift cards, journals, sunglasses, wallets, journals, and jewelry.
To donate these or other gifts this holiday season to the teens of Hillsides, please visit https://hillsides.org/holiday-giving or contact Laura Kelso, director of community resources, at 323-254-2274, ext. 251 or lkelso@hillsides.org.
Hillsides is a premier provider dedicated to improving the overall well being and functioning of children, youth, and families in crisis. For more information, please visit our website

*Name and details changed to protect client’s privacy.*

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 at-risk children and youth we serve. We provide high quality care, advocacy, and innovative services that promote safe, permanent environments where young people can thrive.

Hillsides has four main programs:
Family Resource Centers, which offer numerous community based programs and services that provide parenting classes, mental health support and additional crucial resources for vulnerable children and families throughout Los Angeles County.
Residential Treatment Services, which provide a safe and stable environment where children and youths, who cannot live at home, suffered trauma, or have severe emotional or behavioral challenges, can thrive.
Education Center, a therapeutic residential and day school that offers individualized education for students with social-emotional, learning and/or behavioral challenges for children in kindergarten through 12th grade.
Youth Moving On, which provides former foster youth affordable quality housing and numerous support services to help them become responsible, self-sufficient adults.

Hillsides
940 Avenue 64
Pasadena, CA 91105
323-254-2274
Company Contact/Press Contact:
Marisol Barrios
mbarrios@hillsides.org
323-543-2800 ext 128
815 Colorado Blvd, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90041

This release was published on openPR.