FALL 2015
Smooth Pavement and a Bright Future Ahead
Working endlessly to prepare our youth for success requires hope, patience and
determination. With the right tools and the care of loving adults, youth like Iclund are able
to pave their own way to a brighter future. Iclund, a resident at Vista Maria, was unsure
about her first days here. Now, she says, “It’s been a life-changer.”
As a victim of sexual and emotional
abuse, Iclund was untrusting of
adults in her life. When she met her
primary care worker at Vista Maria, it
was patience, time and continuous
care that allowed Iclund to trust him
and begin to work through her past.
Because of their shared experiences
and similar backgrounds, she felt like
she could relate to him. Soon, “he
became my inspiration,” Iclund says. “I
thought, if he could do it, I can do it.”
Iclund’s family has been an important
part of guiding her path. With her
sister in the hospital, Iclund knew
that there was the possibility that
she may be a full-time caregiver to
her nephew. Her goal became clear:
to finish high school, start college
and create a solid foundation for her
future. This past June, Iclund moved
to a new building on campus and
received her degree from Clara B.
Ford Academy. She registered for all
of her college classes at Henry Ford
Community College and created a
schedule that would keep her busy
and preparing for her future.
“I can’t wait to start college in the
fall!” Iclund says with a big smile. The
organizational skills she has learned
at Vista Maria have helped her to
stay focused and make calculated
decisions. She hopes to own her
own restaurant one day. She also has
dreams of becoming a community
activist and making change through
her actions. Her creativity, passion and
leadership skills shine through as she
walks through campus these days.
Iclund and President and CEO Angela Aufdemberge
attend KidSpeak Youth Public Forum at Wayne State
University College of Law.
Continued on page 2
From the President and CEO
Back to school was
always preceded
by shopping for
new school clothes,
shoes, and various
supplies during the
late summer months. There was
always the excitement of a new school
year with new classes, teachers,
activities, adventures and new friends.
Vista Maria News | FALL 2015
Everything seemed possible. My
memories of heading back to school
each year and the new experience
brings a gentle smile. The end of
summer brought new beginnings.
A similar smile occurs as I reminisce
about the summer activities here at
Vista Maria. We have been blessed
with many activities, events and
programs that engaged our youth
in very positive ways. We started
the summer by celebrating with the
graduates of Vista Meadows and
Clara B. Ford. Of course, graduation
was just the beginning. Our students
actively learned through our Journey
to Success summer program and
experienced summer employment
through our Grow Detroit Talent grant.
Continued on page 2
www.vistamaria.org
Smooth Pavement and a Bright
Future Ahead Continued from page 1
Faith, family, and the many support systems that Iclund found
at Vista Maria have helped her to make tough decisions that will
change her life for the better. Iclund is now a confident leader
who follows her passions without fear. She is so thankful that
Vista Maria gave her the time and support she needed to focus
on herself. “I worked so hard, and the staff, supervisors, case
managers, therapists were always here for me through the good
times and the bad. I realized that’s what I’ve needed my whole
life. It’s been a rocky road, but the pavement is getting pretty
smooth now.”
Iclund, speaking at this year’s Clara B. Ford graduation
ceremony, is an avid member of the Journey to Success
program. In the 2014-15 school year, JTS students showed a 59%
improvement in school attendance and an 11% increase in GPA.
From the President and CEO
It was also amazing to see our
college students return for summer
employment opportunities and
to just lend a hand. The Dearborn
Heights Soccer Club led clinics
capped off by our first annual
soccer tournament. Volunteers
of the Lost Voices engaged our
students through music therapy
and the final concert, eliciting
tears of sorrow and joy, was an
unforgettable event. These are just
a few of the high points that Vista
Maria youth explored. Our pool
was open and ready on Memorial
weekend and has been in steady
use all summer long. I treasure
hearing the laughing and shouts
of joy that come from the pool
area when I left work during the
warm summer evenings. And as
always, some of our dearest youth
graduated from their treatment
2
Continued from page 1
programming and were reunited
with family. We think of them often
and pray for continued growth and
happiness.
As you read through the Fall
Newsletter, you will notice many
program highlights as well as the
outstanding efforts of our summer
fundraising events. I would like to
send my personal thanks to our
volunteers and Board members for
their work to help us raise needed
funds and bring awareness of the
challenges vulnerable youth face.
Many of us had the opportunity to
have new clothes, school supplies
and fall activities each year when
we headed back to school. We were
fortunate. The Vista Maria team is
dedicated to creating that same
sense of hope and new beginnings
for all of our youth, but we need
Vista Maria News | FALL 2015
help. We cannot bring the amazing
programming and activities to our
youth without your support. We
hope that you will respond to our
request for fall funding through the
recent Back to School mailing or by
sending a donation in the envelope
enclosed in the newsletter. A
fifty dollar gift provides school
supplies, school shirts and slacks,
transportation for a college tour, or
materials for after school programs.
May your fall be filled with exciting,
engaging and special moments
with your children and family.
Angela Aufdemberge
President and CEO
www.vistamaria.org
JTS Youth Learn,
Work and Play Before
Heading Back to School
Vista Maria’s Journey to Success Program (JTS) kicked into high gear
over the summer for Wayne County youth.
Students and clients traveled to Cornell University, our
residential girls participated in a soccer league held on
our Dearborn Heights campus, and over 7,200 hours of
employment were offered to 100 youth through a summer
jobs program.
University freshman and 2015 Vista Maria Journey to
Success student. The JTS juniors and seniors were selected
based on academic potential and need. This was their first
visit to Ithaca, NY. Cornell will host more JTS students in
August and early 2016.
JTS staff, in partnership with Grow Detroit’s Youth Talent |
City Connect Detroit identified summer jobs and activities
where our students received hands-on experience through
paid internships, learned about career options and met
professionals in the STEM field. Summer jobs students,
ages 14 to 19, benefited from paid work experiences at
locations in the Detroit area including Vista Maria, Hype
Community and Recreation Facility, Buffalo Soldiers Horse
Barn and the National American Indian Association. All
working students attended weekly workshops led by JTS
staff to enhance their education and leadership skills. “JTS
gave me my first real work experience, like applying for a
job online and going to a job orientation,” said 17-year-old
Mike R. “I felt like it was a double benefit for me because I
enjoyed taking care of the horses at the barn and I got paid
for my work. Every dollar I earned will help me with my
college costs this fall.”
During the cooler evenings of August on campus, we
welcomed the coaching staff of the Dearborn Heights
Soccer Club to our campus. Club President Danny Torres
and his coaching staff ran a six-week soccer program for
125 girls living on our campus. The goal of the program
was to build character and self-esteem, and increase social
skills while promoting the importance of exercise and
healthy living.
In June, Cornell University Lab of Ornithology hosted five
of our JTS students for a Birds, Careers and Conservation
Youth Workshop. “It was great to talk to the professors,
library staff and students. I could see myself working in
science as a career,” says Charlaine S., a Michigan State
www.vistamaria.org
Torres and Vista Maria appreciate all of the sponsors from
Soccer World in Canton, who donated the team shirts for
the girls, as well as Dearborn Sausage, Body Armor and the
Southfield High School Marching Band, who all turned the
final game of the season into a massive celebration for our
girls and staff.
Congratulations to the many volunteers, community
partners and donors for contributing to successful summer
programs for our JTS youth. The team building, life skills
and overall discipline to achieve success will help our
youth remain on track for the new school year.
The JTS Program benefits at-risk teens who reside in
Wayne County by giving them guidance to improve
school attendance and academic skills, reduce risktaking behaviors, and build essential life skills while
proactively planning for their futures. With support
from donors and volunteer mentors, the program
served over 600 at risk youth in 2014.
For more information about the Journey to Success
Program, contact Adnan Khalil at 313-271-3050 or
akhalil@vistamaria.org.
Vista Maria News | FALL 2015
3
Vista Maria’s Amazing Allies
For over five years, Ally Financial has partnered with Vista Maria to grow and sustain our
Shepherd Hall Transitional Living Services Program. Last year found their employees
making Ally’s biggest impact on our campus yet!
Ally Financial and its employees strive to strengthen
the communities where they live and work through
volunteerism, charitable contributions and financial
education. Their focus is always on addressing vital needs
in the community, such as homelessness, community
services and financial literacy. In the hopes of making a
bigger impact on the youth in our programs, the Women
of Ally reached out to Vista Maria to launch engaging and
exciting events.
The Women of Ally’s first event was an ice cream social for
the girls of Beata Hall. From there, they were hooked! Since
that first visit, Ally employees have become Vista Maria
mentors, run financial workshops and host spa days with
our girls. They’ve also engaged other employees through
campaigns on their own campus in Southfield, including
Jeans Days and collecting hygiene items for the Vista
Boutique. Ally takes it a step further by making matching
gifts to all of their employees’ contributions. Because of
their amazing commitment to the community, the Ally
Financial family has given nearly $60,000 to Vista Maria!
Vista Maria is so grateful to have an ongoing relationship
with Ally and its employees, and for all of the amazing
work they do with our youth. Thank you, Ally!
Your gift may be eligible for a matching gift
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable
contributions made by their employees, and in some cases retirees and spouses.
The impact of your gift to Vista Maria may be doubled
or possibly tripled! If your company is eligible, request
a matching gift form from your employer, and send
it completed and signed with your gift to Vista Maria.
For more information, contact the Fund Development
Department at 313-271-3050 ext. 343 or
ksholty@vistamaria.org.
Delphi Accelerates and Excels
Delphi Automotive of Troy revved up their engine this summer
by celebrating their Excellence Week at Vista Maria! The team
volunteered their time at Vista Maria, cleaning up our campus in
preparation for a beautiful summer. They also hosted a vendor fair,
silent auction and family fun days at their Troy site. These outstanding
employees raised over $12,200 for Vista Maria! Thank you, Delphi, for
all that you do!
4
Vista Maria News | FALL 2015
www.vistamaria.org
Having Fun and Feeling Good!
As the sun sets on summer, we say “Thank You!” to all of the incredible support we have
received from our special event sponsors, volunteers and champions.
Our events saw higher attendance rates, new
donors and sponsors, and venue changes that
sparked an inspiration in supporting the youth of
Vista Maria. Because of your support, our special
events had their best year yet!
Vista Maria’s 16th Annual Celebrating
Women event on May 7, 2015 at The Henry,
Autograph Collection featured the premiere of
Vista Maria’s Girls of Achievement video project
and a new Presidential Ballroom setting.
George Blaha’s 26th Annual High Hopes
Golf Invitational on June 15, 2015 at Knollwood
Country Club supported Journey to Success
programming this year. Golfers and guests enjoyed music
and mingling with celebrities, all while making a difference.
Vista Maria’s Dolly Drive on August 20, 2015 at
Blackfinn Ameripub in Royal Oak was a fun girls night out
chaired by Shannon Murphy of Mojo in the
Morning on Channel 955. Of the event, Shannon
said “I’m so excited to be a part of this year’s
Dolly Drive! After spending some time at Vista
Maria, I knew that I needed to do SOMETHING
to be a part of this incredible place and to
help these incredible young ladies.” Joining
Shannon on the committee was Erin Nicole,
an Entertainment Reporter from WXYZ/WMYD
television.
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
While it may not look like Christmas just yet, Santa’s
workshop at Vista Maria is calling out to our friends and
supporters to ensure another amazing Christmas season
for the children at Vista Maria. Do you have what it takes
to be one of our Most Valuable Elves (MVE)?
To be an MVE, all you will need is the desire and drive to give
our youth a special and memorable Christmas! Last year, we
had nearly 120 individuals and groups, just like you, who
spread holiday cheer around campus by hosting parties,
wrapping presents, decorating campus and purchasing gifts
www.vistamaria.org
for our kids. We are
looking for even more
fun memories and look
forward to turning
more Christmas wishes
into realities this year!
If you feel inspired to honor the spirit of giving and make a
difference for our children this Christmas, please call Vista
Maria’s Volunteer Resources department at 313-203-2027
or rhermann@vistamaria.org to get started.
Vista Maria News | FALL 2015
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Thank You to our Generous Event Sponsors!
AJAX Paving Industries, Inc.
Johnson Controls, Inc.
Priority Health
AT&T
Elite Netowrking and
Consulting, LLC
Juvenile Law Group PLLC
Lynn M. Quigley
Angela M. Aufdemberge
Epitec, Inc.
Keil and Associates
Roy O’Brien Ford
Avis Ford
Family Heating, Cooling
and Electrical, Inc
Donald and Mary Kosch
Pratap R. Sathi
The Kroger Co. of Michigan
Brent and Lori Kuhn
Shore to Shore Community
Federal Credit Union
Joe Lalik
Sherry L. Soenen
John Lazet
The Sports Bar and Grill
Lear Corporation
Starr Vista
Ann Loftus
Strategic Staffing Solutions
Garden Fresh Gourmet
Marsh & McLennan Agency
Goldfish Swim School
Meijer
Success Unlimited Holistic
Therapies
Gordon Food Service
Warren Morche
Grant Thornton, LLP
O’Brien Construction
Co., Inc.
Heathor Balazy
BDO USA, LLP
Brothers Fine Jewelry
Burroughs, Inc.
C.A. Hull Co., Inc.
Citizens Commercial
Banking
Cognitus Consulting
Comerica Bank
CS Partners
Data Consulting Group, Inc.
Delta Dental of Michigan
Detroit Wayne Mental
Health Authority
Doeren Mayhew
DTE Energy Foundation
Matt & Sue Dubois
Els Ferguson
Anthony Fischer
Ford Motor Company Fund
Fox Hills Golf and Banquet
Center and Clips & Clamps
Industries
Griffin, Smalley & Wilkerson,
Inc. / Hastings Mutual
Insurance Company
T.H. Marsh Construction Co.
Talmer Bank and Trust
Total Health Care
Katy O’Brien Jallad
Julie Truskowski
Pepsi Beverages Company
Varsity Lincoln
Humboldt Merchant
Services
Pete’s Place Inc.
The Visionary, Allen Park
James Burg Trucking
Company
Patricia Pitts
PK Contracting
Benije Vista at Total Home
Lending
James Group International
Plastipak Packaging, Inc.
Wealth Strategy Partners
We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for
getting deals. Now, we have #GivingTuesday, a global
day dedicated to giving back.
On Tuesday, December 1, 2015, charities, families, businesses, community
centers and students around the world will come together for one common
purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give.
By coming together with your family, friends and community to support Vista
Maria, you are creating the same trust, confidence and positive change that we
guide our youth to achieve. Tell everyone you can about how you are giving
by using #GivingTuesday on your social media pages. Join us and be a part of a
global celebration of a new tradition of generosity!
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Vista Maria News | FALL 2015
www.vistamaria.org
Qualified Charitable Distributions
from IRA’s in 2015
By John D. Selesko, Esq.
Board Advisor, Vista Maria
Counsel, Butzel Long
41000 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
248-258-2524
Individuals who are age 70 ½ must
usually start withdrawing money from
their Individual Retirement Accounts
(IRA’s) by their required beginning
date, typically April 1 of the year
following the year in which they turn
age 70 ½. The withdrawal is referred to
as the Required Minimum Distribution
(RMD). The RMD is taxable income to
the individual. Failure to withdraw the
RMD can result in significant penalties.
If a taxpayer makes a charitable
donation to a qualified charity such
as Vista Maria, the taxpayer is entitled
to a charitable income tax deduction
in the form of an itemized deduction
which reduces the taxpayer’s
adjusted gross income for income
tax purposes. However, because of
various tax rules which may limit the
amount of the charitable income tax
deduction, the income tax deduction
is often less than the actual amount
of the charitable donation. This
phenomenon is referred to as “tax
slippage”. It occurs because taxpayers
often do not itemize their deductions,
or the level of their adjusted gross
income either causes certain phaseouts of itemized deductions or does
not permit the taxpayer to take
full income tax advantage of the
charitable donation.
The Pension Protection Act of 2006
introduced a new tax planning
opportunity known as a Qualified
Charitable Distribution (QCD) from
IRA’s. This new opportunity allowed
www.vistamaria.org
a taxpayer over the age of 70 1/2
to make a charitable donation of
up to $100,000 directly from an IRA
to a qualified charity such as Vista
Maria, and avoid any taxation on the
income at all. The donation is not
claimed as a charitable income tax
deduction and the distribution is
not reported as taxable income. This
results in a perfect offset of income
and deduction so no “tax slippage”
occurs. By not having the distribution
included as part of adjusted gross
income, any tax deductions that
may be limited by adjusted gross
income levels are maximized. Also, the
charitable contribution is treated as a
partial distribution to the taxpayer of
that year’s RMD. This results in a better
result for the taxpayer than merely
donating cash to a charity and taking
an income tax deduction for the
donation.
Unfortunately, the problem with
the QCD is that the tax laws keep
changing so there is no consistency.
The QCD rules were instituted for
2006 and 2007 at which time they
lapsed. They were reinstated in 2008
and extended through 2009, only to
lapse again after 2009. QCD’s were
once again reinstated in 2010 and
2011, but only 2 weeks before the
end of the year, leaving little time to
actually plan in advance on making a
QCD. This pattern was repeated again
in 2012 and extended through 2013
but only at the last moment. In 2014,
this pattern was once more repeated
where the reinstatement of the QCD
rules was made in mid-December,
2014 retroactive for the entire
year. The QCD rules have not been
extended into 2015 leaving taxpayers
uncertain once again about whether
the rules will or will not be reinstated
for 2015 and if reinstated when will
the reinstatement occur.
If taxpayers are considering a
charitable donation in 2015 and must
also take an RMD from their IRA, what
to do? Should they wait until late
in 2015 to see if the QCD rules are
once again reinstated or should they
proceed anyway?
This author believes that the proper
answer is to just assume that the QCD
rules will be reinstated for 2015 and
proceed accordingly. If the rules are
reinstated retroactively, the taxpayer
gets the full benefit of the QCD rules.
If the rules are not reinstated, the
taxpayer is in no worse position than
if the rules had never existed. So, don’t
wait to see what will happen with
QCD’s. Go ahead and take advantage
of a QCD by directing your IRA
custodian to transfer funds directly to
charity as part of your 2015 RMD. Vista
Maria or any other charity of choice
will benefit and so will you.
As with any tax planning
technique, individual
circumstances will vary and
what may be appropriate
for one person may be
inappropriate for another.
This article is not intended
as tax advice but is merely
informational. Each reader
is encouraged to consult
with their own tax advisor or
professional for advice.
Vista Maria News | FALL 2015
7
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Dearborn, MI
Permit #1308
20651 West Warren Avenue
Dearborn Heights, MI 48127
www.vistamaria.org
Return Service Requested
Board of Directors
Board of Advisors
Russell F. Agosta,
Board Chair
Retired Partner, Grant Thornton
Patricia Aberlich
Deanna Arnott
Mohammed Arsiwala, M.D.
Kathleen Aznavorian
Michelle Bain
Andrew Behm
George Blaha, Honorary
Norbert Boes
Maria Bowles
Kevin Braye
Evelyn Brown
Cindie Bucks
Barika Butler-Quarles, M.D.
Philip Cavanagh
Patricia Claramunt
Katherine Crossley
Paul Dalpiaz
Angelique Day
Tammi Dukes
Laura Eisele
Donna England
Elaina Farnsworth
Ermal Faulkner
Karen Harry-Tolbert
Hon. Catherine Heise
Maureen Huber
Jumana Judeh
Gary Kabzinski
Amy Karaban-Finley
Hon. Mary Beth Kelly
Jamie Kliebert
Ashley Kuruvilla
Gale LaRoche
Michelle Lemerond
Nicole Lewis
Jeanne Martens
Bill McCurdy
Sheila Minetola
Andrea Moody
Magda Moss
Michael Neel
Harold Dubrowsky,
Vice Chair
Retired Partner, Grant Thornton
James Gouin,
Treasurer
Tower Automotive
Denise Kurowski,
Secretary
Strategic Staffing Solutions
Sr. Dorothy Doyle,
RGS Representative
Sisters of the Good Shepherd
Lynn Quigley,
Member at Large
Ford Fund
James Bernacki
Comerica Bank
Barbara Boroughf
Lear Corporation
Norma Jean Evans
Cranbrook Educational Community
Josie Hunwick
Grant Thornton
Elizabeth James
Automotive Professional
Paul Morris
Alix Partners
Patricia Pitts
Consultant
Jeffrey Sokolowski
Robert Half International
Gregory Spinazze
Wealth Strategies Partners
Carol Taylor
Amerisure Mutual Insurance
Margaret Warner
Retired Director,
Wayne County DHS
Mary Williams
Insurance Exchange Agency, Inc.
Thomas Nolte
Gail O’Brien
Hon. Daniel Paletko, Honorary
Erin Patrick
Lt. Denise Powell
Shannon Quinn
Referee Kelly Ramsey
Michael Rennick
Dina Richard
Sr. Janice Rushman
Lisa Sasaki
Sue Ann Savas
Elizabeth Schmidt
John Selesko
Marisa Spinazze-Main
Beverly Stovall
Thomas Sullivan
William Swift, Honorary
Aaron Tate
Daniela Tomatti
Marcey Uday-Riley
Eileen Vernor
Sr. Anna Wallette, Honorary
Andy Zaleski
Executive Leadership
Angela Aufdemberge
President and CEO
Kathy Regan
Chief Financial Officer
Meredith Reese
Vice President, Treatment Programs
Mary Treder-Lang
Vice President, Development Programs
Karen Hall
Director, Quality Improvement
Judy Willard
Director, Human Resources
How to Reach Us
For additional information on any of the articles in this
issue, please contact the Marketing and Fund Development
Department at 313-271-3050.
@ Lauren Elizabeth, Manager of Events, ext. 190
@ Becky Hermann, Manager of Volunteer Resources, ext. 114
@ Kristine Sholty, Annual Fund Associate, ext. 343
@ Kelly Small, Interim Director, ext. 304
@ Mary Vogt, Grant Writer, ext. 165
Our Mission
We deliver innovative care, support,
treatment and education to vulnerable youth
so that they heal, believe in their worth,
and build the skills needed to succeed.
Our Vision
We will ensure that vulnerable youth and
families are supported, prepared and
equipped to achieve lifelong success.
If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please call 313-271-3050, ext. 343.