tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48194171747161359012011-07-08T00:51:43.611-07:00Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-1139539780066468812010-01-22T16:28:00.000-08:002010-01-25T13:41:27.096-08:00

I am very pleased to let you know that with unanimous and enthusiastic support from the Board of Directors, Mary Denton has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer of Sunny Hills Services.Mary came to Sunny Hills in 2000 to serve as Chief Financial Officer, and subsequently consulted with Joe Costa in the agency’s strategic and business planning. During her tenure, she has worked

elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04797541343426566783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-4583993758284378772010-01-03T22:18:00.000-08:002010-01-03T22:22:20.314-08:00

It is with a flurry of mixed emotions that I let you all know of my departure from Sunny Hills at the end of 2009. After eight years as Chief Executive Officer at Sunny Hills Services, I have made the decision to accept a new challenge and become the CEO at Hillsides in South Pasadena. Like Sunny Hills, Hillsides is a multi-service agency for at-risk children and youth with a century-long track

elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04797541343426566783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-27101674238605986552009-12-11T12:22:00.000-08:002009-12-11T12:27:04.146-08:00

Earlier this month, BAYC graduate Tia Tonne was selected by the San Francisco 49ers to receive a prestigious Community Quarterback Award. This honor is given out to five people each year who have devoted their time to volunteering in the Bay Area, and includes a grant for the charity where they volunteer.Tia’s own experience as a graduate of BAYC’s programs makes her an especially insightful and

elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04797541343426566783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-78631975182909199382009-12-04T10:00:00.000-08:002009-12-04T10:00:02.790-08:00

As I think about things I am thankful for this year, I am especially thankful for the community of supporters that surrounds Sunny Hills. This includes our wonderful donor community of foundations and individuals, all of the various referring agencies and other service providers who work in tandem with us, the staff who work with our kids each and every day, and of course those kids themselves; I

elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04797541343426566783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-37850653173992040512009-11-20T09:30:00.000-08:002009-11-20T09:56:50.279-08:00

As we enter Thanksgiving week, we at Sunny Hills Services have a lot to be thankful for. Each of our programs and services continues to help the most vulnerable children and families in California, and we continue to receive tremendous support from all of the communities we are part of. In a particular way, I am thankful this year for Bay Area Youth Centers, or BAYC. BAYC became part of the Sunny

elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04797541343426566783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-43690323209730456262009-11-13T11:09:00.000-08:002009-11-13T12:41:48.126-08:00

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elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04797541343426566783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-39908143890444677412009-11-06T09:49:00.000-08:002009-11-06T10:11:23.005-08:00

I wanted to draw your attention to a recent two-part article that appeared in the New York Times. Running in the Shadows addresses the growing number of young runaways in the United States, exploring how they survive and efforts by the authorities to help them. Part one, Recession Drives Surge in Youth Runaways, follows Betty, a 14-year old who had run away from home a week earlier after a

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-11681989434177873042009-10-30T11:14:00.000-07:002009-10-30T11:14:52.123-07:00

Sunny Hills celebrated the members of the Auxiliary and Guilds of Sunny Hills Services at a luncheon on Wednesday, October 28th at the McInnis Park Golf Club in San Rafael. This esteemed group of individuals has provided generous and loyal support to the agency for decades, helping us to raise financial support and community awareness on behalf of the children and families we serve. We were

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-86736985357314547192009-10-23T08:54:00.000-07:002009-10-23T08:54:45.707-07:00

Earlier this month, the US Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) published "Children's Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey." The survey was designed to measure children's exposure to violence across the country, in their homes, their schools, and their communities. It spanned across all age groups, ethnicities, and income levels and was the first of its

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-88953086403122288532009-10-16T10:32:00.000-07:002009-10-16T10:34:16.041-07:00

Last night, Bruce and Theresa Raabe hosted a lovely reception at their home in Kentfield in honor of the Sunny Hills Services Leadership Circle, a donor society honoring benefactors who have given generously to Sunny Hills over their lifetime. We are grateful to Bruce and Theresa for opening their home to us. The acoustic melodies played by guitarist, Clay Bell offered a lovely backdrop to this

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-32432843726052644322009-10-09T16:01:00.000-07:002009-10-15T08:48:16.386-07:00

Sunny Hills is pleased to announce Annette Bekowich and Jay Cahan have joined the Board of Directors. The elections increase the size of Sunny Hills’ Board to 25 members. Annette’s involvement with Sunny Hills began a number of years ago through her volunteer service with Sunny Hills’ Belvedere Guild, an auxiliary group of women dedicated to volunteering and raising financial support on behalf

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-79207628542729681702009-10-02T09:23:00.000-07:002009-10-02T09:25:35.074-07:00

Bay Area Youth Centers (BAYC) hosted a successful symposium on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at Preservation Park in Oakland. Titled “The Needs and Experiences of LGBTQ Youth in Out-of-Home Care,” this day-long event featured a keynote presentation by a former foster youth who began his transition to a male while still in care. The remainder of the day was marked by a balance of informal dialogue

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-33274257395318387962009-09-25T09:20:00.000-07:002009-09-25T09:20:57.771-07:00

As part of the state budget, a 10% cut in reimbursement rates for care of children in nonprofit group homes was approved. This cut was enacted by the state legislature and is not part of the Governor’s controversial line-item vetoes; it is set to go into effect October 1st. Carroll Schroeder, Executive Director of CACFS, said, "With this cut … agencies will be forced to choose between seriously

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-39866623675912856402009-09-18T08:59:00.000-07:002009-09-18T08:59:33.417-07:00

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, October 13, 2009 and join the Greenbrae Guild and friends at 11:30 am for an afternoon of fine food, festivities and fabulous fashion at Deer Park Villa in Fairfax. Feast your eyes on the latest in contemporary women's apparel courtesy of Anne's Secret Hangups of Novato. Tickets are $45 per person and all proceeds benefit Sunny Hills. The luncheon includes your

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-32101827391905769842009-09-11T10:19:00.000-07:002009-09-11T10:19:09.829-07:00

Optimism is a core value we hold at Sunny Hills Services. It is something that we bring to every facet of our work. For us, optimism is equal parts hope, hard work, consistency, and a relentless commitment to helping young people realize their full potential. At Sunny Hills, our youth come to us with enormous challenges. Life hasn’t always been fair to them. Their young lives have been scarred

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-3031996565964649302009-09-04T09:36:00.000-07:002009-09-04T09:37:01.797-07:00

In 2004, Sunny Hills Services established the Leadership Circle to honor members of our donor community whose significant support has helped to sustain the important work of this agency. Today, membership in the Leadership Circle is comprised of more than 100 diverse and dedicated individuals who have pledged their commitment to the children of Sunny Hills through generous contributions of

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-29959773861047032262009-09-04T09:16:00.000-07:002009-09-04T09:16:27.930-07:00

Looking for an easy way to give back? Then join us for dinner on Friday, October 2, 2009 between 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm at Sam's Anchor Café, a favorite waterfront restaurant on San Francisco Bay. Sam's will donate 20% of food and wine purchases to Sunny Hills' Marin Academic Center which provides a therapeutic education to vulnerable youth ages 5-14. No need to purchase any tickets. Simply call (415

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-1987079187464510862009-08-28T09:14:00.000-07:002009-08-28T09:16:37.971-07:00

Several weeks ago, I blogged about Sunny Hills’ approach to nonprofit M&A and, specifically, how it plays a critical role in our organization’s strategic planning. For any nonprofit organization considering an affiliation, or perhaps a merger, I highly recommend David LaPiana’s body of work as a valuable tool to organize and guide the planning process. LaPiana’s The Nonprofit Mergers Workbook,

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-16904257829019531702009-08-21T09:21:00.000-07:002009-08-21T09:24:31.699-07:00

This is the time of year when many families are sending their children back to school. I think most parents would agree that finding the right academic environment for their child is essential—one that supports their development and encourages their continued growth, both academically and personally.But when your child has special needs, finding the right placement can be challenging. For many

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-89886311371340774582009-08-14T09:02:00.000-07:002009-08-14T09:21:22.546-07:00

Recent articles in the San Francisco Chronicle and the New York Times address the strain on juvenile correction systems as they are increasingly relied upon to handle a growing population of youth offenders with mental health issues. The situation is becoming even more perilous as cash-starved states are slashing funding for mental health programs in communities and schools.It is not atypical for

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-54141233657012914012009-08-07T09:09:00.000-07:002009-08-07T09:14:52.602-07:00

Sunny Hills Services has appointed agency veteran Brad Freed to assume the new position of Director of Mental Health Training & Education. Brad brings a tremendous depth of knowledge and experience to his new position having served in the field of child and adolescent treatment services for more than 20 years. As Sunny Hills has transitioned from being principally a provider of residential

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-15810077738011957992009-07-31T08:59:00.000-07:002009-08-07T09:09:38.506-07:00

The distressed economy has brought to the surface the topic of non-profit mergers and acquisitions/affiliations (M&A) as a means by which struggling nonprofit organizations could survive the economic downturn. A recent Bridgespan study, Nonprofit M&A: More Than a Tool for Tough Times, polled 117 nonprofit executives on this very issue and found that 20 percent stated that it could play a role in

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-82073506708563195402009-07-24T09:16:00.000-07:002009-07-24T09:22:18.491-07:00

Bay Area Youth Centers, Sunny Hills’ East Bay division, is hosting a symposium on the experiences and needs of LGBTQ-identified youth in the foster care system. This forum will provide an opportunity for foster care providers to engage one another around issues related to the delivery of care, specifically how to increase the competency, safety and accessibility of services for LGBTQ youth in

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-51264647880655287842009-07-17T09:04:00.000-07:002009-07-17T09:48:31.131-07:00

As some of you may know, Sunny Hills has undergone significant changes over the last several years as we transitioned away from being principally a provider of residential services to severely emotionally disturbed youth to what can be characterized today as a diversified agency offering a range of programs to families with children with special needs.Until recently, the most visible

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-24062243949127139702009-07-10T08:41:00.000-07:002009-07-13T08:20:19.429-07:00

After legislators and the governor failed to reach an agreement on a revised budget, the state began issuing IOUs approximately one week ago on Thursday, July 2, 2009. This move by state Controller John Chiang is an effort to conserve cash to be able to make payments mandated by the state constitution, federal law and court orders. Democratic leaders and Governor Schwarzenegger remain at odds

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-92082376816978011532009-07-03T08:28:00.000-07:002009-07-03T16:55:57.032-07:00

July 1st is an important inflection point in our year at Sunny Hills. As the agency closes out the previous fiscal year and begins anew, this is typically a time for reflection and renewal in our community. This past week I assembled senior staffers to share their program’s accomplishments as well as their challenges from the previous year, and articulate their goals for 2009-2010. It is an

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-27126169475126542442009-06-19T12:33:00.000-07:002009-06-19T12:35:20.567-07:00

As the school year draws to a close, our many programs begin the transitions of summer. Each of the children we serve will experience a commencement this year; for many, it will be a traditional graduation from high school, middle school, elementary school or even kindergarten. For others, their commencement will be less traditional; some of the children we serve will be taking the summer off

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-38822286109404041272009-06-12T16:08:00.000-07:002009-06-12T16:10:25.577-07:00

I am pleased to announce that on June 4th, foster youth with disabilities were awarded an additional year of benefits by San Francisco Superior Court Judge Peter Busch. Judge Busch ruled in Leonard v. Wagner that California state foster care officials in the AFDC-FC program, which provides support for children in foster care, must comply with state and federal disability laws. Josh Leonard,

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-78946573535399678252009-06-12T16:03:00.000-07:002009-07-03T08:35:25.756-07:00

According to a recent New York Times article, “Charitable giving fell last year by the largest percentage in five decades, according to a new study by the Giving USA Foundation.” It was the sharpest drop in the history of the survey, and confirms what those of us ‘on the ground’ in the fundraising world already know; private donations are down, and human services organizations are taking the

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-60865011645275386342009-06-05T15:00:00.000-07:002009-06-05T15:00:00.536-07:00

As we near the end of our fiscal year at Sunny Hills, we prepare for the annual transition in the leadership of our Board of Directors. Deborah Hoke Smith has provided exemplary leadership over her term as President this past year, and she will continue serving on the Executive Committee of the board in the 2010 fiscal year as Vice President. We are lucky to welcome Lydia Cameron as Board

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-41305579677165639042009-06-05T09:57:00.000-07:002009-06-05T10:28:03.075-07:00

On May 28th Patti Faraday and the Glenwood Guild took a small group of Sunny Hills friends for an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of Thomas Keller’s French Laundry. Attendees sipped champagne and sampled delicious hors d’oeuvres, and participated in a lively discussion with the restaurant’s popular maitre d, Lawrence Nadeau. After meeting the chef and master gardener during a private tour of

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-88991091699758660772009-05-22T20:29:00.000-07:002009-05-22T21:02:31.431-07:00

For more than a century, Sunny Hills has been a beacon of hope for families and youth with special needs. While we have served thousands of youth over the course of our history, each young person who comes to us has presented with a particular need; as their lives unfold, we find solutions to their struggles that are as unique as they are themselves.For many families, finding the right solution

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-75130753678523742822009-05-15T16:00:00.000-07:002009-05-18T09:03:27.558-07:00

In April, I shared with you the agency’s difficult decision to close Red Hill Academy. I’m pleased now to be able to share our agency’s plans about how we will utilize our San Anselmo campus going forward. <?xml:namespace prefix = o />First, Sunny Hills has entered into an agreement with Oak Hill School to lease space on our campus beginning in July. <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Oak Hill School

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-55486287198907099682009-05-15T13:00:00.000-07:002009-05-15T13:11:18.120-07:00

The 8th Annual Sunny Hills Council Gala, White Nights City Lights: Helping Children Reach For The Stars was held last Saturday at The Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco and was once again a spectacular evening and a successful fundraising event for our agency. A hearty thank you to each of the Council members who made the night so special, with particular thanks to Rhonda Shipley, this year’s

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-1064990210835559302009-05-08T13:30:00.000-07:002009-05-08T13:30:00.351-07:00

It is no secret that California is in the midst of a budget crisis. According to yesterday’s San Francisco Chronicle, the state will have to borrow more than $20 billion dollars if legislators cannot close the multibillion-dollar deficit. Most analysts predict that this deficit will then worsen if voters reject the special election budget-related ballot measures on May 19th. According to the

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-7826331307954440132009-05-05T13:58:00.000-07:002009-05-05T13:59:55.615-07:00

There is still time to get tickets to the 8th annual Sunny Hills Gala this weekend! White Nights, City Lights: Helping Children Reach For The Stars will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2009 at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. This is one party you won't want to miss! Click here for details and information about the event - you can register online for underwriting or tickets! We also

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-25351494648239022802009-05-01T11:12:00.000-07:002009-05-01T11:17:32.122-07:00

National Foster Care Month began in 1988 as an effort to acknowledge the tremendous contributions of foster parents and foster families around the country. In the 1990’s, National Foster Care Month evolved and brought into sharp focus the needs of the many older youth in foster care, particularly those on the verge of ‘aging out’ of the foster care system at the age of 18. With this focus and

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-12003364416634924822009-04-24T15:24:00.000-07:002009-04-30T14:08:49.593-07:00

Sunny Hills Services is a member-agency of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services (the Alliance), a statewide association over 130 private nonprofits that serve children and families. The Alliance has advocated on behalf of California's most vulnerable children and families and the organizations that serve them for over 60 years. They provides legislative and regulatory advocacy on

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-81734377678142959182009-04-22T21:57:00.000-07:002009-04-22T23:19:16.942-07:00

This past Sunday, I participated in the first annual Marin Marathon! (No, I did not run the full marathon … but I did participate in the 10K, and I personally raised $2600 to benefit Sunny Hills through the event!) This fully sustainable event benefitted several community agencies, including Sunny Hills Services. As an agency, we were thrilled to be selected as a beneficiary; many of our

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-44126347290998796062009-04-19T21:05:00.000-07:002009-04-22T23:20:06.039-07:00

I am very excited to announce that among Sunny Hills’ new donors thus far for our current fiscal year are two prestigious foundations, the Irene S. Scully Family Foundation and the Albert & Elaine Borchard Foundation. As new supporters of the agency, both have given significant gifts to programs at Sunny Hills. The Irene S. Scully Family Foundation has donated $10,000 for program support at

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-2101602737292454902009-04-10T22:25:00.000-07:002009-04-10T22:26:37.792-07:00

It is with great sadness that we announce the closure of Red Hill Academy. (Click here to read Executive Director Brad Freed’s statement about the closure).In 2008, Sunny Hills launched a new educational program, expanding our treatment spectrum to include a whole new service area. We opened Red Hill Academy because we envisioned a new kind of learning environment—an environment that was

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-60911738010967429662009-03-27T16:51:00.000-07:002009-03-27T16:55:28.165-07:00

Fostering Connections at the Federal Level Last week I co-hosted a luncheon for Christine James-Brown, CEO of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA). The Hon. Peter Breen – Mayor of San Anselmo and a CWLA fellow and longtime child welfare advocate – joined us to welcome Chris, and representatives from fifteen regional nonprofits came to learn more about how they can support the federal

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4819417174716135901.post-79228804970381592832009-03-06T16:16:00.000-08:002009-03-06T16:23:49.327-08:00

Sunny Hills Services is a non-profit organization serving vulnerable youth and their families. Founded in 1895 as the Presbyterian Orphanage & Farm in Marin County, Sunny Hills is now a regional child welfare organization dedicated to protecting, serving, nurturing and healing at-risk children and adolescents.For more than a century, Sunny Hills has been at the forefront of creating best

Mary Dentonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12056044016404582201noreply@blogger.com0