The Hillman-Norberg Family's Connection to Rosecrance Traces Back Nearly Two Decades.
The Rosecrance Hillman House is a long-term residential recovery home program for boys ages 14-18. The program develops independent living skills and provides ongoing support, safety, and counseling in a drug-free environment.
In 2002, Rosecrance purchased a beautifully restored turn-of the century home built by Rockford Industrialist Swan Hillman. Swan's daughter, Margo Hillman-Norberg, supported Rosecrance over the years, and was the inspiration for the Friends of Margo campaign to support Rosecrance's youth recovery homes.
Swan and Margo have since passed away, but Margo's children Kyle and Karl Norberg have continued to support Rosecrance, the Hillman House and other mission programs with generous annual personal gifts and gifts from the Hillman Charitable Trust. Recently, they were instrumental in including The Rosecrance Foundation in a gift of over $100,000 through the estate of family member Wayne Cowan. The family worked with The Foundation team to designate the support to help projects that would have been meaningful to Wayne; the gift will support Hillman House, upgrades to the Healing Garden at the Rosecrance Griffin Williamson Campus and the Rosecrance Foundation Endowment.
"We grew up in Rockford and we still feel a pull towards it," says Kyle of herself and her brother, Karl. "I want to support what my grandpa started, what my mom supported, and keep touches with my family along the way."
She adds, "I've witnessed the impact of Rosecrance and the Hillman House. I've seen kids shake loose substance abuse and flourish. It's incredible."
Karl has five years of sobriety and he explains that recovery means something extra special to his family:
"I think it's so important that people in recovery are given a chance, especially at a young age. To be able to help give someone that chance, there aren't words."
Kyle and Karl donate support and funds to a multitude of charities each year, but when it comes time to decide where to give, they say—Rosecrance is always at the top of the list.
Making a planned gift to our organization isn't complicated and you don't have to go it alone. Contact Sally Draper at 815-387-5608 or sdraper@rosecrance.org to learn how you can make a gift for the future of those we serve.