Our Biggest Family Engagement Weekend Ever! | |
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Justina is bouncing excitedly on the couch in the common room. "They're coming at 1:00! What time is it now?" It's 11:05.
She is buzzing with anticipation like a kid on Christmas morning, but it's the middle of March, and she's not waiting for Santa—she's going to see her dad and baby brother at this month's Family Engagement event on Vista Maria's campus.
Each month, these Family Engagement events provide residents and their families a chance to bond in a safe, fun, low-stress setting. The March gathering was the biggest one yet, filling the entire room! Each event offers games (giant Jenga, anyone?) and activities, but around the room, we mainly see families enjoying sharing a meal, asking about their child's week at school, and, of course, giving lots of hugs.
Building on the success of these events, we recently introduced monthly parent support groups. With topics like self-care, work-life balance, and coping with guilt and shame, this group gives parents a comfortable space to discuss some of their unique challenges. This group averages about five parents per meeting and is already growing!
We know that parent involvement is vital for youth success. When their families are involved, youth tend to have higher aspirations and motivation and achieve better treatment results overall. This is why Vista Maria uses a Family-Driven Youth Engagement Model to empower youth and families to be agents of change in their own lives and build healthier communities for the next generation.
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A Spring Break Field Trip to the DIA | | |
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At Vista Maria, we believe in fostering holistic growth and providing opportunities for our students to learn and thrive, beyond the classroom walls.
So, over spring break, we embarked on an enriching journey – exploring the culture, history, and creativity on display at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Our youth got a tour of the museum and had the opportunity to make their own art. All of which were, of course, masterpieces.
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THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
One Campus Martius
The registration deadline is fast approaching! Be sure to get your tickets by May 3!
Please join us for a dinner, silent auction, and an inspiring program celebrating stories of healing, triumph, resilience, and victory at Vista Maria.
In its 25th year, the Fearless Heat Gala honors Vista Maria's impactful programming and the extraordinary accomplishments of the youth we serve. We hope to see you there!
Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available with prices starting at $250 per person.
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Monday, June 24, 2024
Tam-O-Shanter Country Club
As a member of Vista Maria’s Advisory Board, Mr. Blaha and his celebrity friends have built High Hopes into the event it is today.
Held at the beautiful Tam-O-Shanter Country Club, the day includes lunch, 18 holes of golf, silent and live auctions, and dinner with entertainment by the Simone Vitale Band. The event provides an upscale golfing experience for community business leaders and celebrity athletes while supporting the youth of Vista Maria.
Sponsorship opportunities and tickets are available with prices starting at $1,950 per foursome.
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Coming Soon:
The Donald and Mary Kosch Foundation Pavilion | |
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Now that the stakes are in the ground, we are excited to announce the construction of The Donald and Mary Kosch Foundation Pavilion!
This space will be a hub of connection and healing for our campus.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of The Donald and Mary Kosch Foundation, this vibrant outdoor venue will serve our families, staff, and youth.
Equipped with power, Wi-Fi, and built-in grills, the pavilion is designed for multifaceted use – from joyful family BBQs to peaceful staff breaks and, of course, fun outdoor programs for our youth.
As we eagerly await its completion, we will continue to share updates and photos of the newest addition to our beautiful campus.
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Current Needs: Summer Fun | | |
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We're gearing up for a fun summer at Vista Maria! We have lots of outdoor space and our youth LOVE a good water balloon fight or a Slip and Slide race!
You can help make this the best summer ever by shopping our Amazon wish list, and your gift will be delivered directly to our campus:
- Water balloons
- Sunscreen
- Sprinklers
- Water blasters
- Bubble wands
- T-shirts
- Lightweight pajamas
Contact Maddie Phillips at 313-271-3050 x221 or mphillips@vistamaria.org for more information.
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Partnership Highlight: Ally Financial | |
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Ally Financial has been a strong supporter of Vista Maria since 2010. Last month, in partnership with the Detroit Pistons, Ally selected Vista Maria as their nonprofit Relentless Player of the Game for the In It for My City game on March 15th.
As their chosen nonprofit, Vista Maria received a generous financial donation, a promotional booth during the game to share our mission with the Piston's fans, and 4 tickets to the game, courtesy of Ally.
We were thrilled to be able to surprise one of our Wraparound families with the tickets so they could attend the game and make fun memories as a family.
Thank you, Ally Financial, for your relentless support of our mission and the youth and families we serve!
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It was the first warm, sunny day all week, so the youth and staff in Freedom Center decided to head to the playground! It was a great afternoon of swinging, running, spinning, and dancing... and the kids had fun too! | | | | |
