Dear Friends,

It is thanks to the generosity of individual donors that we have the honor to serve students like Kawii.

Her story is made possible because our community comes together to support our young people. 

We serve over 650 students a year and the average cost per student is $2,200. Our tuition-free programs pair experiential learning with wraparound services that meet the unique needs of our students – from learning differences to access to basic needs.

Whether you can give a little or give a lot, your contribution counts. 

Your support means students like Kawii have a safe place to express themselves in a healthy and caring community. 

Kawii’s Story

If you’ve met Kawii, you know she has an amazing smile; she radiates with kindness.

You would never guess that her positive outlook is forged in determination and is a purposeful antidote to the challenges she has faced.

Kawii blows glass in the hot shop with the help of instructors

Kawii credits the opportunity to be a Hilltop Artist as the force that has helped her change her mindset.

Her example highlights how donors like you make a difference.

Your investment provides our young people with tuition-free glassblowing instruction, positive adult mentors, and a robust network of vital resources.

When Kawii started glassblowing in middle school, it was the only thing she liked.

She didn’t always want to go to school, but access to the hot shop and the opportunity to create inspired her to attend.

“Glassblowing motivates me to go to school, work hard, and be successful all around.”

Kawii finds stress relief and creativity when feeling the heat of a 2,000 degree furnace and molding and shaping heavy, molten glass. She also finds relief from stress by helping others. She pays attention to when new students are struggling and doesn’t hesitate to check in and show them the steps.

Kawii works on a glass piece in the hot shop

Kawii says she supports others because she knows how important it is to get help from someone who understands where you’re coming from. This ethic also applies to the more difficult aspects of her life, and is the reason Kawii wants to be a lawyer for victims of domestic violence.

At Hilltop Artists, Kawii has found a safe place to share her story. Here, she has many adult mentors who check in with her regularly and drop whatever they are doing if she needs to talk.

For the past three years, Kawii has faced ups and downs in her life, but Hilltop Artists has remained an important constant.

“If I wasn’t in glassblowing,” says Kawii, “I don’t know where I would be mentally and physically. It’s had a huge impact on my life. It puts potential into my life.”

This is the community Hilltop Artists has been building and growing for 25 years. Thanks to you and so many more, we invest in bright futures.