A Passion for Caring for Those Living with Disabilities

In the early 1940s, Hollywood director George Cukor brought his ailing nephew over from England, along with a nurse. His nephew had been suffering from cerebral palsy. Cukor got an up close look at what it was like to care for someone with a disability. He soon realized that there would be value to having a dedicated facility equipped to provide the best care for people with varying abilities. 

In 1945, with the help of Cukor, the nonprofit Hillside was created, a residential facility for children with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Over time, the organization transitioned into serving individuals over the age of 18. Presently, diagnoses range from moderate to severe and commonly include: cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome, and epilepsy. In 2025, Hillside will celebrate their 80^th anniversary. Eighty years of providing exemplary medical support and empathetic caregiving to help those with I/DD extend and enrich their lives.  

Since Hillside opened its doors, the organization has played a huge role in the community, standing as a beacon of hope and help for families no longer able to care for their loved ones at home. Over the years, Hillside has become a leading advocate for the rights of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

Hillside provides a residence and fully integrated community that includes 24-hour nursing care and a range of therapeutic programs in a loving, nurturing environment. Their programs range from sensory motor training to independent living skills training to occupational therapy. So, whether it’s beach wheelchairs for those who may have never been near the water or felt the sand, or speech or aquatic therapy that allows for personal growth and independence, Hillside is on the cutting edge of every kind of innovation and advancement that allows their residents, family members, and community the chance to reach for their goals and dreams.

“One of the most exciting things about Hillside is how it continues to evolve,” says Michael Rassler, president and CEO. One of Hillside’s newer partnerships is with Move Santa Barbara (Cycling Without Age), another local nonprofit. Move SB has bicycles equipped to transport people in wheelchairs, which allows not only for beach access, but provides outdoor time that residents thoroughly enjoy. 

Hillside has plans to transform their model of care by creating a new, integrated, mixed-abilities neighborhood on their Hidden Valley property. A key component of this new model will feature building residences for seniors and the general public alongside new, adaptive homes for Hillside residents, which will encourage greater community integration and increased independence. 

With your support, Hillside can continue to foster abilities, create community, and provide enriching care for another 80 years.