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Community volunteers and groups show support for Hillcrest through donation of time and talents in many ways — including the running of a variety of exciting Fall and Winter events.

Volunteers have always played an important role in the success of Hillcrest. Beginning with the unpaid support of the Women’s Rescue Society of Dubuque in 1896, our agency’s history is filled with stories of people who wanted to make a difference through volunteerism —

It would take an entire book to do justice to all those individuals and groups who have volunteered over the years. But, in large part because of their commitment and dedication, Hillcrest has been able to continually expand it’s programs for youth, young women and their families, and adults with serious mental illness for over 105 years.

Recent times have seen the addition of special events to the list of activities conducted by volunteers. The next few months will feature four of these special events — none of which would be possible without the support of community volunteers. We hope you will support them, also. These events include:

LITTLE DUBLIN IRISH FEST
This will be the second year for this exciting event, organized by friends, supporters, and former residents of the Little Dublin area of Dubuque.

A family celebration, this year’s event will feature a variety of bands and celtic groups, food and refreshments, games and special events. Proceeds from last year’s event went to the American Cancer Society, and organizers have selected Hillcrest Family Services as recipients of this year’s profits. Admission price for the day is $6.

MARIO'S HILLCREST ITALIAN DINNER
The annual Mario’s Hillcrest Italian Dinner will once again feaure a delicious pasta dinner prepared by Chef Mario, his family and crew. Mario, of Mario’s Italian Restaurant in Dubuque, has been sponsoring this event for 17 years. It has become a family tradition for many people each year on the Thursday before Thanksgiving Day. Attendance has grown yearly, and now includes nearly 1,000 diners.

Proceeds from the dinner are used to purchase Christmas gifts for the children and adults living at Hillcrest. Admission to the event remains at $7 for adults and $4 for children (12 & under)

SEASON OF LIGHTS
Hillcrest is partnering with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to bring an exciting new holiday lights event to the Cedar Rapids/Marion area. The major media partner for Season of Lights is KCRG-TV and their “Show You Care” sponsors.

The event will feature larger-than-life displays (many animated), plus tree and other special lighting. Admission price will be $7 per private vehicle. Squaw Creek Park is located on Highway 100 & 13/151, just south of Marion, Iowa.

REFLECTIONS IN THE PARK
During its first six years, Reflections In The Park has established itself as the premier holiday event in Northeast Iowa. More than 370,000 have visited the event since it began. The seventh year will feature many new displays and animation, as well as creative special-effects lighting. Admission price remains at $7 per private vehicle.

I have been focusing on a number of Hillcrest issues lately, including funding cuts, need for salary increases, rising insurance, new programs, facility repairs, endowment growth and other strategic needs of the agency. These issues are of utmost importance for the present and future success of Hillcrest’s endeavors. As I was becoming even more involved and worried about these issues, the tragedy of September 11, 2001, occurred.

Like the thunderstorms in Carlin’s routine, I now found that my worries and Hillcrest needs seemed inconsequential in relation to the worries and needs of the thousands of people directly and indirectly impacted by these terrorist acts. For more than a week, I was virtually obsessed with the tragedy. Through prayer and the support of friends, I started to focus on the love of God and the many gifts that have appeared in my life. I am now glad that I have fellow employees and buildings to worry about, budgets to balance and a future to secure.

It continues to be a personal and professional paradox that I struggle to resolve. The professional resolution for me comes in the realization that the work of Hillcrest balances the evil that can and does appear in our world. The many services of Hillcrest provide hope for children, adults and families. Our caring staff bring Christ’s message of peace and love alive. They put lives back together rather than tear them apart.

Many resources will go into fighting terrorism. These resources will come appropriately from private donations and from our tax dollars. Protecting our public safety is our expectation and our demand. There is a real possibility that the need to financially support services, such as those provided by Hillcrest, will be forgotten.

As we unite to strengthen our nation and to counteract evil, it is important to remember that Hillcrest Family Services continues to need your support. Advocate for us by contacting your county supervisors, state legislators, governor, senators and congressmen and asking them to not lessen their support for those in need.

The focus on treatment for the youth in the Hillcrest residential treatment program involves largely the behavioral, emotional and academic facets of life. While there had been a limited vocational component to their treatment, for the most part it consisted of learning communication skills and acceptance of authority. The Building Community program is an innovative step toward providing training and experience that will assist young people in becoming motivated, contributing members of society.

Joe, who spent four years of his twenty year Air Force career teaching carpentry and construction to his fellow cadets, says, “This program is really important for these young people because it gives them the opportunity to really pitch in and see if this is a career they may want to pursue someday.”

Variety of community projects
Not only are the youngsters learning valuable carpentry skills in the Building Community program, they are also getting the opportunity to contribute to the community. Their most recent project was for a disabled veteran in the Hillcrest neighborhood who needed a bathroom for his kids remodeled. As in all of the projects, Joe and the youth worked together in all phases — planning, determining material needs, traveling to the store to select and purchase the materials, and doing the remodelling itself.

The group gets involved in projects for low-income individuals and non-profit, community-based groups. Their work has included tearing down and rebuilding walls, reroofing a house, installing insulation and constructing computer desks. They recently painted the entryway and upstairs rooms for the Dubuque Rescue Mission, and built candle holders and plant stands for use by a local church.

Lauds program
A recent letter to Hillcrest from Sr. Inez Turnmeyer, OSF, director of St. Mark Community Center in Dubuque describes the impact the program is having in the community. She writes:

“I am writing on behalf of your Building Community program at Hillcrest Family Services. I feel it is a wonderful program and the Center has benefitted from Joe and his workers, time and again. Joe really pitches in and works alongside the kids as he instructs them in what they are going to do, how to do it, and then actually do the work together. He even took the kids shopping for the materials needed. What a wonderful experience for these kids as they learn a trade by going out into the community to do the work!”

Joe also takes his charges on field trips to visit actual construction sites where they can ask questions of the professionals and gather information.

I have discovered a treasure: Hillcrest Family Services. The faces of the youth at Hillcrest are the faces of our children everywhere. But their needs are great. Their hearts are hungering for a sense of spiritual grounding, help and hope. As I write this, we are only a few days from the terrorist attacks on America. On Tuesday, when you heard the news, what did you do? I got in touch with my children, my parents, my siblings, my husband’s family, and friends far and near. I needed to check my roots to make sure they were still there.

When these attacks hit on Tuesday — our Hillcrest youth gathered with the staff; they gathered with board members, and in a time of prayer. What you do when you support Hillcrest Family Services is . . . well . . . it is great. You do the work of Jesus Christ. You provide for the very souls Jesus himself sought out and chose to accompany throughout his ministry here on earth.

To the staff; to the board members; to you, as a supporter of this work and ministry: thank you for being (or providing the resources that are) the family these youth hunger for in their moment of greatest need. It is a great privilege to be working with Pastor Jamie as United Methodist chaplains in this time and place.

$1,500 grant from Target Stores to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dubuque (a program of Hillcrest Family Services) to support intervention, referral and family support services.

But even in this hour of greatest need, you should be aware that an unscrupulous few scam artists are seeking to make a quick buck at the expense of others.

Giving over the phone, e-mail, or website can be legitimate and safe ways of giving, but take a few steps to make sure your gift will reach its intended target.

Our thanks goes out to these volunteers who helped us spread the word about the ministry and mission of Hillcrest today: