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“We’re near 100% capacity in our programs” says Don Keck, Supervisor of Residential Youth Services for the agency. “The referral numbers seem to continually go up . . . and right now we’re waiting for state funding to come through for a couple more youngsters.”

Keck, who has been with Hillcrest since 1992, took over the top supervisory job in residential youth services in late May of this year. Prior to that, he was a supervisor of various residential treatment houses. He began his new position shortly after a major change in two of the agency’s residential programs.

In early March, a decision had been made to discontinue our former Riverview program after state referrals into that program had slowed significantly over a period of time. The 12 bed facility had been down to 4 residents for a number of months, with no new referrals on the horizon. In the meantime, Hillcrest has never had enough space to handle the increasing number of referrals to our Pathways program, which works with boys having emotional and behaviorial problems in addition to having to function with borderline IQs. At the time the Riverview program was closed, Hillcrest had a waiting list of 14 boys for the Pathways program. New Pathways program

The former Riverview residence was converted into a program named New Pathways, which gives Hillcrest flexibility and an increased ability to handle this population that never existed here before.

According to Jim Unsen, Director of Children and Family Services, “We have one of the best reputations in the state of Iowa for dealing with lower functioning boys. So, we’ve really built on that strength by setting up the New Pathways program. In fact, within one day of opening this program, we already had eight referrals for it.”

One of the first boys to enter the new program was Benjamin (not his real name). Benjamin was transferred to the New Pathways program the day after the doors opened — and the transfer has worked wonders for him.

“I really like it in the New Pathways program,” he says. “I’m doing a lot better here. I know I’m making more headway than I was in the other program I was in, and I can work closer to my own pace. I’m a lot more comfortable in the group therapy sessions here, too.”

Location creates ideal situation
The New Pathways house is located adjacent to the building which houses the original Pathways program. This really makes it an ideal situation as far as Jim Unsen is concerned.

“That part of our campus is really now set up to lend support and backup to both of the Pathways programs,” he says. “It greatly increases our flexibility as far as treatment is concerned. It has allowed us to consolidate our use of house therapists and counselors, and makes it possible for our family centered therapists to provide comprehensive therapy at both units.”

Reflections House adds to program
Both Keck and Unsen point out that another positive step for the adolescent residential treatment program will take place in October, with the opening of our new Reflections House. This facility will make it possible for more families to directly participate in their child’s treatment while they’re at Hillcrest. Reflections House will provide a ‘no-cost’ place for out-of-town families to live while meeting with family therapists who work with their child.

The house will include five bedrooms and a fully functioning kitchen. At times, it will also be used to help adolescents acquire independent living skills which may be utilzed once they leave residential treatment.

I am extremely proud of our successes and our stature in the professional community. I realize that our success breeds our reputation. There are many factors that contribute to these achievements. They include our expertise, agency history, religious affiliations, and facilities. These factors have a bearing on our success, but it is the dedication, commitment, and experience of the over 350 employees of Hillcrest that has the biggest impact.

Our country celebrates “Make A Difference Day” on October 23. At Hillcrest, everyday is “Make A Difference Day” because of the efforts of our staff. Of course, not all of our staff provide direct services. Many are also needed to support our ministry. I would like to focus on one employee who has made a difference for almost 11,000 days at Hillcrest.

On October 31st Paul Porter, our Director of Finance, will retire from Hillcrest after exactly 30 years. Paul came to Hillcrest on November 1, 1974, when the annual budget was around $500,000. Today we have an annual budget in excess of $11.6 million.

Paul was not the only reason that this budget has grown, but he skillfully managed this fiscal growth with a steady and trusting hand. Three Executive Directors have come and two have gone during Paul’s tenure. All three of us have put our trust in Paul, and it was well invested. Hundreds of Hillcrest staff and people throughout Iowa have worked with Paul during these 30 years. They experienced his kindness, his honesty and his commitment to the mission of Hillcrest.

During his tenure at Hillcrest, Paul has also seen the number of programs/services offered by the agency increase from nine to twenty three. The number of people served has grown from 7,000 to more than 14,000.

Paul was the sole member of the accounting staff back in 1974, and used his trusted printing calculator to keep track of all of the financial matters of the agency. Today, the business office at Hillcrest — which now includes a staff of five in addition to Paul — uses a sophisticated computer system to keep track of the increasingly complex financial matters at Hillcrest.

“Paul is widely respected by everyone he has come into contact with over the years,” says Gary Gansemer, Executive Director/CEO of Hillcrest. “He has always carried out his duties in a highly professional and ethical manner, and it has been an absolute joy to work with him. He has never hesitated to contribute additional time during evenings and on weekends to ensure that the financial information he handles is accurate and timely.

The dinner will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dubuque.

Funds from the Italian Dinner are used each year to purchase Christmas gifts for the residents of Hillcrest’s residential treatment programs.

In addition to Monticello and the main on-campus school in Dubuque, the Hillcrest school also has classrooms in Bettendorf, Clinton, Maquoketa and Postville.

$10,000 from Big Brothers Big Sisters of America - for increasing the number of school-based matches by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dubuque County for the 2004/2005 school year.

$5,000 from the John N. Bergstrom Foundation of Neenah, WI - For technology needs.

$5,775 from the Dubuque Racing Asociation - To Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dubuque County for the purchase of hardware and software for implementation of Agency Information Management System.

$1,800 from the Dubuque Council for the Prevention of Child Abuse - for purchase of food items served at Parent Anonymous meetings.

Reflections in the Park has drawn more than 523,000 visitors since it first opened in 1995, and has raised over $701,000 for the programming and capital needs of Hillcrest. One of the premier holiday events in the entire midwest, Reflections continues to draw visitors from around the United States and a number of foreign countries each holiday season.

Beginning with 27 sponsors and 30 displays during its first year, it will feature a minimum of 64 major displays, 8 animated arches, hundreds of over-sized stars and special tree and park lighting this year. With the support of more than 200 sponsors and over 300 yearly volunteers, Reflections has transformed Dubuque’s Murphy Park into a winter wonderland of sparkling animation and beauty. Visitors can also enjoy special holiday music on their vehicle radios (via a private broadcast system) as they wend their way through the park.

Additions to the event this year include a group of Victorian displays, Fairy Tale scenes, and Santa riding on a number of different things, including a horse, a Harley, a fire truck and a tractor. One new scene features him working on his own computer.

Nearly 26,000 candy canes will be handed out to kids who visit — some personally by Santa himself, who visits each Monday evening prior to Christmas. Canine visitors even receive doggy treats! There will be special prizes for visitors, awarded through a series of weekly drawings.

Formerly the Director of Development for Area Residential Care in Dubuque, Ken has 33 years experience in the human services field. He is active in a number of community organizations including the Dubuque Community Schools Foundation, Iowa/ Regional Leave-a-Legacy, Dubuque Rotary, Make A Will Committee, Tri-State Gift Planning Council and Tri-State Estate Planners.