With rain clouds parting as a sign of meteorological support, an event today at Hillside’s Golisano Campus at Crestwood celebrated the first completed new build in a multi-year Transformation & Modernization Project designed to meet the evolving needs of youth and families served at the campus.
Amid an assembly of several dozen donors, project partners, regulatory partners, Board members and Hillside staff and leaders, Hillside President & CEO Maria Cristalli announced the opening of the all-new Jenkins Cottage—a living, dining and recreational space for youth ages 5 to 14 who receive residential treatment at the campus.
The “kid-friendly” environment of the Jenkins Cottage features “ample space for youth and their families to connect with each other,” Cristalli said. “Hillside is a family-driven organization, and that priority can be felt throughout this new cottage.”
The design principles reflected in this new build will next be incorporated into other existing cottages on the campus, she added; other improvements planned as part of the Transformation & Modernization project include enhanced green space for stronger therapeutic recreation opportunities; a second campus entrance for increased access; and a host of other improvements that are research-proven to increase the level of care provided.
The three-year, $7 million project was launched in August 2025 in a ceremony at which the campus was renamed the Golisano Campus at Crestwood, in honor of a $5 million gift to Hillside by entrepreneur and philanthropist B. Thomas Golisano. Representatives of The Golisano Foundation were present at this morning’s ceremony, as well as donors and partners including The Charles Fund; the Davenport-Hatch Foundation; LeChase Construction; The Bonadio Group; James Haefner, Chair of Hillside’s Board of Governors; the Charles J. & Burton S. August Family; Bill and Rhonda Goodrich; SWBR; Reliant Credit Union; Mike Stapleton and Mary Eagle; M&T Bank; Rochester’s Cornerstone Group; and Liz August.
Cristalli offered particular praise for these and other donors and partners whose dedication, generosity and vision continue to make this important project possible. “To do this in partnership with the community is critical to our work,” she said. “We couldn’t do this without you.”
Even the cottage’s name is reflective of community support. During a lifetime dedicated to philanthropy, Amy Jenkins Cutler (1874-1934) made a significant gift to the facility now known as the Golisano Campus at Crestwood. “Naming this cottage in her honor is an important way of celebrating her commitment to the work that makes a difference in so many lives,” Cristalli said.
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