PASADENA, CA November 21, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- At seven years old, Daniel* was feeling the burden of trying to replace the responsibilities of his late father, who died tragically in a random act of violence. Seeing that his mother was struggling with the loss and the task of being the sole provider, Daniel constantly thought about how he could help his mother and brothers, ages 3 and 1. Daniel was having trouble concentrating in school and would frequently become emotionally overwhelmed.
"He never felt the carefree spirit and joy in his heart that most seven year olds experience," said Janis Reid, coordinator of school-based mental health program for Hillsides, a foster care charity that serves children and families living in Los Angeles County, including Pasadena. "The holidays are always a difficult time for families who have experienced such an immense loss like Daniel's."
The foster care children's charity, located in Pasadena, is able to lift the spirits of these children and their families for Christmas with the help of generous donors who adopt these families one time a year.
For Daniel who was referred to Hillsides, whose therapist started working with him and his three-year-old brother, the charity has provided a safe place for this family to heal and for Daniel's mom to take charge of her family. With support from the therapist, Daniel's mom recently joined the sessions along with the youngest brother, who has a serious medical condition.
"The holidays make it brighter for families like Daniel's who will know that there are people who care about their well-being and that there is hope for the future," said Laura Kelso, director of community resources for the foster care children's charity in Pasadena.
"During these times, it is important that the family knows that people support and recognize their efforts and that they have not been forgotten, when all around they see images of perfect families having perfect holidays," said Reid. "It is also meaningful to have that little extra help with food, clothing and toys at a time when resources barely cover the necessities."
Families living in Los Angeles County like Daniel's rely on the generous support from the community through the Los Angeles children's charity adopt-a-family program. To learn more how you can help families experiencing crisis this holiday season, contact Kelso at 323-254-2274 and visit http://www.Hillsides.org.
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*Names of clients have been changed to protect their identities.
About Hillsides
As a Pasadena charity founded in 1913, Hillsides creates safe places for children in foster care living in its residential treatment center and is a community treatment center preventing the cycle of abuse for children at risk and their families. To learn more about Hillsides, visit http://www.Hillsides.org.
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