Hillview

Jeannine Dorton came to Hillview at 11yrs old in 1979. Her mother overdosed on some medication and went into a coma. She didn’t have anyone to take care of her so child protective services sent her to Hillview. It was suppose to be for only 2 weeks until her mom was well. Unfortunately her mother never fully recovered and 2 weeks turned into 6 yrs. During the time at Hillview Jeannine got to know the system and the whole program. As she made friends in one cottage she would change cottages to be with the friends she wanted to stay with. She went to public school and never let anyone know she lived at Hillview. If friends called it was just like a regular home. She went to church every Sunday and participated in activities just like any other kid would. Life at Hillview was as normal as anyone else’s home only she had 30 or so brothers and sisters. They would go to school, come home do homework, play outside, eat, take a bath, watch TV and then go to bed. They went to summer camp and other activities. Since she was there so long, many kids would come to her for advice and a listening ear. They would come to her for guidance. Sometimes the house parents would say, “Why are they going to Jeannine instead of me”. Jeannine had that kind of spirit that the kids could just open up to. Maybe it was because she herself was a kid. She had compassion for them and was just open to be a big sister. Some of the kids would actually call her mom. The hardest thing for Jeannine was that she would get use to a house parent or friend and they would eventually leave. As they left Jeannine would go to the cottage she liked best. Jeannine stayed at Hillview until 1985. When Jeannine grew up and had her own children she came back to Hillview. Hillview was her home. One day she was at Hillview and her son who was 2yrs old at the time was outside playing with the other children. He was all dirty and having fun. Inside Corky was having a meeting with a gentleman from the IRS. There were some problems and Hillview was in danger of closing. Little Josh just wandered in the office where they were going over the future of Hillview. Little Josh knew Corky but instead or going to Corky, Josh climbed up on the lap of the IRS Representative. The man looked at Josh and said what ever help you need to keep open you have it. That was the day that God used the heart and smile of a child to do His work. Josh is now 17yrs old and Hillview is still going strong building a home for children like his mom had. Building a home where love, kindness and compassion cover their lives. Where children are shown that somebody cares and the way a normal life should be. Where they can trust adults and know that they are going to be well taken cared of in love. Jeannine had all of the love and kindness that every child should have. Jeannine didn’t grow up in the average home that many of us have. She didn’t have the problems with her own mom as many of the kids did at Hillview. She was there because her mom’s condition didn’t allow her to take care of Jeannine. God used Jeannine’s compassion at a young age to minister to other kids and Jeannine was open to be used. Today Jeannine works with disabled adult. She teaches them to function in everyday life skills. She teaches those able to work how to work on a job and live as a normal person. She says they want so bad to learn to be normal. She gets excited to teach them because to them it’s as if they struck gold. She gets attached to them and she has learned to let go as they go on to their future. She has been helping others and letting them go all her life. Today Jeannine says she is a better parent because of the experiences she had seen and learned at Hillview. God used Jeannine as a child to help other kids. Then He used her own child to save Hillview.   Now today He is still using her to fulfill His Glory. We should all be open to be used by God. Jeannine took her own situation and made a better life for herself and others because she was open to be used by God.

Hillview continues to be a safe haven for children to be safe and loved.  Many children come to Hillview just like Jeanine.  They may have had a hard time but at Hillview they will find there is hope.