Hathaway-Sycamores Receives Support from Banking Industry
Right Image: Jill Barnes
Pasadena Outlook
February 4, 2010
As a general rule, the word "banking" isn't automatically associated with nonprofit organizations that care for troubled youngsters. In the specific case of Pasadena-based Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, however, financial institutions have provided steady support over the years. Just recently, for example, CapitalSource Bank—with two of its branches in Pasadena and Arcadia—funded a series of print ads designed to increase awareness of Hathaway-Sycamores' adoption, foster-care, and mental-health services for children and families.
Previous banking-sector supporters of Hathaway-Sycamores, which is one of Los Angeles County's largest, nonprofit, private children's mental health and welfare agencies, include Fremont Investment & Loan and IndyMac Bank. In addition to being financial institutions, CapitalSource, Fremont, and IndyMac, have another characteristic in common: longtime Altadena resident Jill Barnes.
With some 25 years of banking experience, Barnes previously worked for IndyMac and Fremont; currently, she serves as president of CapitalSource's Retail Banking Division. During Barnes' tenure at IndyMac, she became a member of Hathaway-Sycamores' Board of Directors, and thus began a Barnes-driven partnership between banking and the nonprofit.
While at IndyMac, Barnes participated in several Hathaway-Sycamores' fundraisers. Upon joining Fremont Investment & Loan, Barnes introduced that institution to Hathaway-Sycamores; in short order, Fremont became an active corporate sponsor of several agency events. When CapitalSource acquired Fremont, Barnes seized another opportunity to introduce Hathaway-Sycamores.
CapitalSource proved to be extremely receptive. "CapitalSource has a history of philanthropy and of supporting nonprofit organizations in the communities it serves," Barnes says. "So when I suggested that all of our 22 Southern California and Central Valley branches use some advertising dollars to support local, nonprofit agencies, I didn't encounter any objections." For CapitalSource's Pasadena and Arcadia branches, Hathaway-Sycamores was the ad-dollar recipient.
Although Barnes' involvement with Hathaway-Sycamores now spans several years, her commitment to the nonprofit has not waned. "I know it sounds cliché, but taking care of children in need really should be our top priority as a society," she observes. "And that's what Hathaway-Sycamores does, and it does it incredibly well."
Although Barnes volunteers her time at Hathaway Sycamores, she feels she gets back more than she gives. "Family is very important to me," she explains, "and when I'm surrounded by my family, that's a source of tremendous joy. Hathaway-Sycamores is dedicated to helping others have this same experience, and being part of this effort is truly rewarding."
Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services provides a comprehensive continuum of services to more than 11,000 children and families annually. To learn more about the organization go to www.hathaway-sycamores.org.
