2023 | August

Fearless Heart Gala 2023

It was such a joy to host the 24th annual Fearless Heart Gala at our new location in the heart of downtown Detroit! The sweeping views, from One Campus Martius, provided a spectacular backdrop to honor the remarkable accomplishments of Aspen and all the resilient young people in our care.

Check out the video (which premiered at the gala) to see how Vista Maria encompasses youth through our entire continuum of care.

Watch the Video

We keep them safe, provide healing, and give space for them to grow and become stronger. You provide the tools and opportunities that empower them on every step of their journey.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this uplifting evening! Together, we raised more than $340,000 in support of our innovative continuum of care!

A very special thank you to our community sponsors, individual donors, and our woman-owned vendor partners:

Universal Special Events

Two Unique Catering

Florella Strings

We look forward to celebrating the 25^th year with you next year. Save the Date coming soon!

Client Spotlight: Aspen

"I want to ask everyone to go home and think about what I’ve said. I want everyone to think of some ways YOU might be able to make a difference. How can YOU help people like me? I know I have some ways in mind.

You could open up your home to foster kids. You could donate money. You could become an advocate. A mentor. Just someone that can help kids like me."

Aspen, 16

Vista Maria Resident

Women Fore! Women

What better way to spend a gorgeous day than playing a round at Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center for the Women FORE! Women Outing.

Elaina participates in Vista Maria’s Independent Living Program and gave a moving speech about her experience at Vista Maria and shared her triumphs of being a student at Grand Valley State University!

This event would not be possible without the long-time dedication of the Women FORE! Women committee and volunteers. Additional gratitude goes to our community sponsors and golfers for helping us raise more than $45,00 for Vista Maria’s continuum of care.

Thank You, 2023 Sponsors:

Dinner Sponsors:

Epitec

Fifth Third Bank

Jackson Dawson

Beverage Cart Sponsor:

imageOne

Golfer Gift Sponsor:

Auction.com

Breakfast Sponsors:

Cinnaire

Dunleavy Wealth Management

Get Involved and Put Your Heart to Work

Trunk or Treat

It's almost time to don your witch's hat, deck out your car, blast the Monster Mash, and join us on October 30th for Trunk or Treat!

You can help give our youth the best Halloween ever! Pass out candy and treats as our kids dress up and walk the path around Vista Maria's campus.

Click the button or contact Maddie Phillips at 313-271-3050 x221 mphillips@vistamaria.org to sign up!

Mentor

Share your individual attention, insight, and compassion to help a child heal and embrace their self-worth. A longer-term opportunity, mentors serve 1 hour a week for several months. You and your mentee can share activities, talk about the week, and build confidence along the way. We currently have six youth waiting to be matched with a mentor!

Contact Maddie Phillips at 313-271-3050 x221 or mphillips@vistamaria.org to get started!

Donate School Supplies

Vista Maria has Amazon and Target wish lists filled with items our kids need every day. By shopping these lists, your donation will be delivered directly to Vista Maria!

Current needs include:

Shop Now!

Large Duffle Bags
Coloring books
Gel pens
Markers and colored pencils
Stuffed Animals
Braiding hair

Run a Marathon

Are you running (or know of someone running) this year’s Detroit Free Press Marathon? Bring meaning to every mile by registering Vista Maria as your charity of choice! Our goal is to raise $2,500 through the fundraising efforts of our runners.

Click the link below to donate or start your own GivenGain fundraising page to support Vista Maria as you train for this year's Free Press Marathon!

Help Us Reach our Goal!

Dolly Drive 2023

Join us on October 12th for a lighthearted and fun evening, filled with incredible food by celebrity chef, Maxcel Hardy, drinks, yard games, photo booth, wine pull, and a short program about our Foster Care Programs.

Proceeds benefit the extraordinary programs at Vista Maria, including our growing Foster Care program. Each guest is encouraged to bring a toy for a child on our holiday wish list.

For more information, contact Jessie at JHarper@VistaMaria.org

Candid Campus

It took two whole days of filming to create our Fearless Heart Gala video! But our Shepherd Hall resident, Z, was loving the Hollywood life! Be sure to check out the video here:

Watch the Video