Today we’d like to introduce you to Patty Hillkirk
Hi Patty, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story is one of resiliency and hope. I grew up in a large family, and at the same time felt alone and isolated due to the early trauma and bullying I experienced as a child. I spent a lot of time climbing trees and watching the world from afar in a place where I felt some control. I longed for safety and security. I found my safe circle when I found the Pennsylvania Gestalt Center, and while attending the three-year training, was able to work deeply on these issues. This led me to the dream of creating a therapeutic community for children impacted by HIV/AIDS and our Circle of Love has provided free trauma-informed therapeutic programs to over 6,200 youth over the past 28 years.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The one thing I knew without question was that I wanted to be a veterinarian. My relationship with animals, especially our dog, Nipper, got me through some very rough times as a young child. I told her all of my secrets and imagined my future life working with animals – like James Harriott.
My dreams were shattered on the first day of college when I was 17 years old. I had an appointment with an advisor in the basement of a building, and in a small, dark room. He sat behind a desk and didn’t look up at me and asked me “what’s your major” and I answered “pre-vet.” He then said “Patricia, look at your high school transcripts – you aren’t smart enough to do that.” Looking back, I feel so sad about that moment because I didn’t have the self-esteem, or self-worth, to disagree with him and walk out of that room. Instead, I felt devastated and confused – like the rug was pulled out from under me.
That same day, another thing happened that changed the course of my life. I walked upstairs to a room with many students and was immediately drawn to someone across the room. He and I became the best of friends, and he provided unconditional love, guidance, and support to me throughout our college years. Almost ten years later he shared the news that he was HIV positive, and I became actively involved as an HIV/AIDS Educator with the Red Cross. I went on to volunteer with an organization working with adults living with HIV/AIDS and was inspired to launch Camp Dreamcatcher after watching a “60 Minutes” segment about a camp for children coping with HIV/AIDS. Watching the children, and hearing their stories, really touched my heart and I felt a spark of inspiration to do something. One of my closest friends, who was also a therapist, called me right after the segment and said, “You have to do this.”
I believe that we all have “AHA” moments of inspiration, where something, or someone touches our heart. The difference between this moment of time, and the time when I sat across the desk as a 17-year-old, was that I was stronger emotionally, and that I had surrounded myself with people who believed in my ability to follow my dream and make it a reality.
We all have the ability to change the course of someone’s life by listening and looking for the sparks of a dream, fueling the flame, and becoming dreamcatcher in their life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
In 1996, a small group of dedicated community members came together to create a therapeutic community for children impacted by HIV/AIDS. Our programs expanded beyond the camp session, and we now offer a one-week therapeutic camp session, weekend teen leadership retreats, mentoring programs, college scholarships, restorative practice programs, a holiday adopt-a-family gift program, an emergency fund for families, and HIV/AIDS education, training, and community outreach. We offer the only therapeutic camp program for HIV/AIDS impacted youth on the east coast. Over 220 counselors, medical personnel, professionals, and community members volunteer with the organization. They have provided over 320,000 hours of volunteer service over the years and offer a safe haven for children coping with the disease.
Our volunteers truly are my heroes, and last year 44 of them became Camp Dreamcatcher Superheroes by rappelling 8 stories down the tallest building in our town to raise funds for our programs. The Catching Dreams Over the Edge event raised over $71,000 last year, and we hope to raise over $100,000 at the event on September 28th, 2024.
We are always in need of volunteers for the camp session, including health center volunteers, cabin counselors, psychotherapists, massage therapists, yoga/mindfulness instructors, and recreational volunteers. More information can be found on our website and the camp session is August 18-24, 2024, and is held in southern Chester County, PA.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I grew up in a small PA town and have an identical twin sister and we are the youngest of a total of five children. This was during the time when we, as kids, would leave the house in the morning and come back later in the day after having many adventures with other kids in the neighborhood. Not all of those adventures were good, as I was the target of a local bully who physically and emotionally targeted me starting at a very young age. My brother finally came to my aid when I told him about it and things got better for me. Even with this experience, I have other fond memories of my childhood and the friendships I made during those years.
The experience of being bullied instilled a core value of mine which is being there for the underdog, especially children who may be experiencing bullying or abuse. My work as a psychotherapist specialized in working with children and teens who experienced trauma, and I am the founder/director of an organization that provides trauma-informed programming to HIV/AIDS impacted youth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://campdreamcatcher.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/campdreamcatcher/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therapeuticcamp
Image Credits
Patty and Superheroes: Veronica Chavez
Camp Week: Veronica Chavez
Three girls walking at camp: Melissa Hewson
Hiking with backpacks and three kids watching concert: Patty Hillkirk