September 2024

Volunteer News

You protect. You encompass. You embolden. You empower.

Hello friends!

Fall is in the air, and we are so excited about all the opportunities this season brings! As we gear up for one of the busiest (and most fun) times of the year, we’ve got plenty of ways for you to roll up your sleeves and get involved.

From Trunk-or-Treat to Dolly Drive, donating jeans, becoming a Mentor, or adopting a wish list, there’s a special place for everyone to make a difference and help our youth create lasting, joyful memories.

We can't wait to share this season of fun and generosity with you—see you soon!

Jessica Marcetti, MA, CVA

Senior Manager, Community Engagement

Volunteer Spotlight:

Lear

We're sending a big thank you to the amazing women from Lear who spent time with our youth in Deroy Hall! They really made the most of these last days of summer with a fun afternoon of activities. They played an energetic game of "This or That," painted vibrant suncatchers, and covered the courtyard in beautiful chalk paint designs. Thank you for helping our youth celebrate the simple joys of summer!

Volunteer Opportunity:

Trunk-or-Treat at Vista Maria

Monday, October 28

5:30pm - 7:00pm

Our Foundress, Sr. Mary Euphrasia, was known for sharing candy with the youth she cared for—even throwing it from her office window as youth walked by. In this spirit, we host our annual Trunk or Treat!

Staff & volunteers will park our cars on the road around campus as residents and foster families visit each vehicle for a spooktacular treat!

This event is rain or shine. However, a rain date will be identified if there are storms in the forecast.

Notes for Volunteers:

Please be parked along the route by 5:15pm, so there are no moving vehicles while the kids are walking.
Volunteers are welcome to arrive any time from 3-5pm to set up.
Volunteers are responsible for providing candy or a treat for the kids.
Plan for 2-3 pieces of candy or one treat (such as a bag of chips) per client. (Approx. 150 participants)
Please, no gum, nuts, lollipops, or taffy. Many variety packs have these items, so please remove those candies if you use these.
Non-edible treats like stickers or small toys are great, but please be sure to get them approved by Maddie!

Want to join the fun?

Contact Maddie Phillips at mphillips@vistamaria.org or sign up below:

Get Ready for Wish List 2024!

What kind of elf are you?

Every year, our volunteer "elves" generously go above and beyond to provide stocking stuffers for each youth, fulfill individual wish lists, and get everything organized, wrapped, and festive in our Vista Boutique. We hope you'll join us this year!

Shopper Elf

Grant the wishes of an individual child, or several children, by purchasing all four items on their personalized Wish Lists. Shoppers can expect to spend between $200 to $300 on each child’s list. This is a great holiday activity for families or groups to do together!

Lists for 2024 will be available in early November. This program fills up quickly, so be sure to sign up soon. Email Jessica or...

Adopt a Wish List

Stocking Elf

Purchase items from our stocking stuffer list to help fill our youths’ stockings with extra goodies. These items can be found at most stores and on our Amazon and Target wish lists.

Angel Elf

Sponsor the Holiday Wish List Program by providing gift cards to stores like Kohl’s, Meijer, Target, and Amazon to help us fulfill last-minute wishes for the youth who come into our care in December.

Workshop Elf

Our Vista Maria Boutique and offices become the epicenter of holiday cheer every December! Help sort and inventory gifts and organize “Santa’s Workshop” right here on Vista Maria’s campus. Volunteer times are 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday.

Contact Maddie at mphillips@vistamaria.org to volunteer!

Volunteer Opportunity:

Dolly Drive

Thursday, October 17

at The Whiskey Factory

This event is a lot of fun, and it benefits our foster care and adoption programs.

You can help us make it the best one ever by volunteering for one of these available volunteer shifts!

Contact Maddie to sign up: mphillips@vistamaria.org

Set-Up - 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Help set up a balloon arch
Prepare Wine Pull materials
Set up Step and repeat
Along with various other requests.

Event Support - 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Sell Raffle Tickets
Greeters/Wayfinders
Wine Pull Assistants
Toy Set up

Tear Down - 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Take down balloon arch and decorations
Organize and load all toys/materials to staff cars at the end of the night

Volunteer Opportunity:

Be a Residential Mentor

One of our greatest needs, we currently have 4 youth on our waiting list who would like to be matched with a mentor.

Mentors must be women, who are at least 20 years old, and can commit to meeting with their mentee on Vista Maria's campus for 1 hour each week.

Contact Maddie Phillips at mphillips@vistamaria.org for more information!

Boutique Needs

Imagine not having something as basic as a pair of jeans. Right now, that’s the reality for many of the youth living at Vista Maria. As we move into fall, our stock is very low, and we have an urgent need for new jeans!

Help us change that by shopping our Amazon and Target wish lists to buy brand-new, straight-legged jeans in women’s sizes 10-22. Your donation will help our youth feel seen, confident, and cared for.

Wear Your Fearless Heart on Your Sleeve

There are some new designs, colors, and styles in our Bonfire store! Be sure to check it out and stock up for fall. We've tried to keep the prices low and any profit from the sales comes right back to Vista Maria, so you can look good and DO good at the same time!

Stay in Touch!

Jessica Marcetti

Sr. Manager, Community Engagement

313-203-4990

jmarcetti@vistamaria.org

Maddie Phillips

Mentor & Volunteer Coordinator

313-271-3050, ext.221

mphillips@vistamaria.org

Becky Hermann

Sr. Manager, Activities & Academic Support

313-203-2027