DEARBORN HEIGHTS, Mich. – The holidays are a bit brighter for young girls looking for a fresh start in life.
Vista Maria works with vulnerable children and human trafficking survivors. In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, CEO Megan Zambiasi navigates the decked-out halls of Brennan Hall.
“We have a lot of gifts. I mean, this becomes kind of North Pole central -- they’re piled high up to the ceiling,” Zambiasi said.
With each donation, holiday dreams come true for more than 100 girls who have experienced adversity.
For some, a difficult life is all they’ve ever known so the idea of a wish list seems foreign.
“Everyone likes to give at Christmas which is so great but being super thoughtful and really answering the prayers of a child for something specific that they want -- is so much nicer,” said Emma Bergg, a Vista Maria board member.
In the more than 100 years of service, Vista Maria has seen a lot. Sometimes, the girls are not even quite sure what they want.
“We help them come up with a few things that would be just for them and help them resist the urge to ask for something for somebody else because believe it or not they often do that,” Zambiasi said.
Once the wish list is done, people sign up to fulfill every item. Some lists include simple requests like clothes.
“A lot of the times they’ve suffered severe trauma and we’re really working again with their mental health treatment to work through that trauma and equip them with the tools that they need,” said Kirsten Adgate, a grants and compliance manager at Vista Maria.
Many of the girls will spend the holidays on-site.
Sometimes, the season is not so much about giving. It’s also about receiving.
Donor Leah Cameon hopes the girls feel loved. Last month, the senior student set up a Christmas tree with ornaments highlighting a wishlist item at River Community High School.
She estimates the collection drive fulfilled over 300 items.
“That someone loves them,” Cameon said. “That someone is here for them.”
Last year, donors provided $28,000 worth of gifts and an $24,000 in stocking stuffers and donations for the Vista Maria boutique, which supports young people throughout the year.
