Many of our facilities at our Monroe Avenue campus are nearly 100 years old and are being utilized to fulfill a need far beyond their original intent as an orphanage.  Today, they must provide space where children can interact with their families and with Hillside professionals. They must be a location where children can work through complex behavioral or emotional issues and feel safe and secure as they rebuild their families and their lives. 

In 2000 we began a $22 million capital campaign to renovate and expand our facilities to provide a better environment for care. 

The first major goal of our renovation plan has already been accomplished by the opening of the Horton Family Center in August 2002. This building replaced our old Emergency Shelter and is now home to the short-term crisis residence, which can serve up to 24 children.  

The Horton Family Center includes:

• Clusters of three common areas each comprised of eight single bedrooms

• Modern health clinic with five exam and screening rooms

• Centralized nurses station

• Expanded dental clinic

• Efficient space for distribution of medications

The design of the Horton Family Center illustrates our vision for our six residential units and a number of critical concerns will be resolved by this renovation: 

Concern: Traumatized children are currently sharing bedrooms.  When one child has a problem (i.e., violent episode), his or her roommate is impacted as well.  In fragile states, this situation can be therapeutically detrimental to both. 

Solution: By renovating cottages and building connecting structures, we will provide single bedrooms for all children in need of such a setting. 

Benefit: Children, separated by age, gender, and diagnostic condition, will have the space and privacy they need to deal with powerful emotional and behavioral challenges. 

Concern: Living space is currently spread over three floors, making close supervision a physical challenge. 

Solution: Sight lines will be improved by concentrating living space on one floor.  In addition, plumbing, lighting, and fire and sprinkler systems will be updated. 

Benefit: Staff members will be better able to supervise children, enhancing safety for all. 

Concern: Children, families, and counselors do not have a designated area to meet and work through the treatment process, inhibiting the beneficial role of the family. 

Solution: Private meeting space for family counseling and family visits will be provided in each cottage. 

Benefit: In addition to the immediate benefits for the child and family, we can help reduce the length of stay of children. By doing this, we reduce the waiting list for care, allowing us to reach more children in need. 

To date, Hillside Children’s Foundation has raised over $6 million. The estimated date of completion for the entire project is Spring 2007.  We are accepting pledges that can be paid over a five year period and have a variety of naming opportunities available for gifts greater than $10,000. 

To schedule a visit of the Monroe Avenue campus, or to learn more about the campaign, please call Pamela White at (585) 256-7513.