Foster Care Home Gets Extreme Makeover by Local ASID Volunteers

A group of foster care boys were pleasantly surprised to hear that their home had been chosen to get an extreme makeover by some generous children’s charity volunteers and interior designers in Pasadena. Hillsides Guild, a volunteer support group, selected Sierra Cottage, one of three Hillsides’ foster care group homes in the community, to renovate.

With proceeds from several fundraising events earmarked towards the renovation, , Hillsides Guild approached talented experts, partnering with the Pasadena Chapter of American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) to present design concepts, including color palettes to enrich the children’s safe place.

"It was very meaningful to make several gifts to Hillsides towards the renovation of Sierra Cottage. Guild members are pleased to know these boys are safe and happy in a home created especially with them in mind," said Kristina Lomax, Guild president whose mission is to bring awareness of Hillsides programs and services. "Foster care children deserve to live in a comfortable and beautiful environment."

The third Hillsides community service project designed by Pasadena ASID, ten designers eagerly volunteered their time and talent to meet the children’s domestic needs. With a limited budget donated by Hillsides Guild volunteers, the designers tapped their sources, including Pasadena ASID industry partners, to secure additional donations or for a discounted cost.

"ASID truly put their hearts and souls into this project. It warmed me to see their enthusiasm and eagerness for creating a home these kids would love," said Lomax. She added several designers even contributed their own monies to purchase items, pictures and accompaniments they felt made this home special and unique to the Hillsides boys. "They decorated this home as if they were decorating the rooms of their own children."

Each child wanted to show the cottage social worker, Amber Rickert, their rooms including the special things added by the interior designers. Rickert said, "The boys are really proud of where they live and take better care of the home. If they happen to see a mark on the floor, they clean it up right away. It makes me feel good to see the pride in their eyes."

"Although we are not able to fix the children’s emotional problems, giving them a nice place to live is a small contribution to their lives," said Ria Jacob, an ASID member. The ASID committee agreed that the Hillsides staff’s compassionate approach became very infectious to everyone involved.

Working around the children’s schedule, the interior designers and industry partners performed daily tasks for the renovation before cleaning up at the end of the school day. The foster care boys returned to their home each day, seeing the progress being made throughout the year and a half.

"The most important satisfaction for the designers was the wonderful appreciation shown by the teenage boys that now will enjoy a more beautiful and safe environment," said Judy Kenyon Burness, ASID member and Hillsides board member.

With support of Hillsides Guild, local interior designers enriched the foster care boys’ home to positively change their surroundings. Creating an opportunity for each child to feel extra special and worthy of such a transformative experience, these volunteers can also feel just as special for warming the spirits of children in foster care.