Janelle was doing everything right.

At 23, she had aged out of foster care, enrolled in college, and moved into her first small apartment. She had a part-time job and big plans for her future. 

Then life got expensive all at once. 

Her work hours were cut. Then a routine prescription refill, her internet bill, and the need for a monthly bus pass all landed at the same time. On their own, none of these needs were huge, but together they were overwhelming. 

Janelle didn’t need a miracle—she just needed a little help at the exact right moment. She didn’t have support. She didn't have loved ones to call. 

That's when she reached out to Vista Maria, her family.

Through Vista Maria’s Client Emergency Fund, you can help cover essential bills and everyday needs. It’s a vital resource for current and former clients that allows us to respond immediately when these young adults don’t have anyone else to turn to. Those simple, practical supports helped Janelle stay on track in school, at work, and on the path toward her goals. 

When families and young people reach out for help, its your acts of kindness that make it possible for us to say "yes". 

A day when we celebrate the power of simple gestures. For some, that means paying for someone’s coffee or shoveling a neighbor’s sidewalk. For the youth and families at Vista Maria, kindness often shows up in very practical ways: a bus pass so a young person can get to work, groceries for a family in crisis, or help cover a utility bill to keep the heat on during a difficult month. 

Your simple act of kindness can mean safety, stability, and relief for someone who needs it right now 

Will you commit to a Random Act of Kindness today by giving to Vista Maria’s Client Emergency Fund?

Every dollar makes an immediate impact. And every act of kindness reminds youth and families in crisis that they are seen, supported, and never alone. 

Thank you for being the reason we can say yes when someone asks for help today. 

With gratitude,

Kathy Regan

CEO, Vista Maria

 Janelle is based on a real client, with some details modified to honor her privacy.