Alison Bell

Alison Bell is a communications and development associate at Hillsides, a Pasadena-headquartered non-profit organization serving vulnerable children, youth, and families, many of them in the foster care system. Hillsides, which began as an orphanage 101 years ago, serves more than 7,500 individuals a year throughout Los Angeles County. It offers mental health services, residential treatment services, a therapeutic residential and day school, and a program for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood.

Alison is also a freelance journalist, the author of five fiction books for children (the “Zibby Payne” series), and a college essay coach. She has written for many publications including the Los Angeles Times, Parenting, and Modern Bride. She is the mother of three children, two in college and one a freshman in high school. She and her husband are also the “parent” of a rescue golden retriever, Charlie, who she’s sure will make a wonderful surrogate child when their last one heads off to college in four years.

For more information on Hillsides, please visit www.hillsides.org.