Vista Maria

We Protect.  We Encompass.  We Embolden.  We Empower.

What began 140 years ago as a home for girls and women in need has evolved to encompass mental health services, foster care and adoption, and secure care for the survivors of human trafficking, along with a focus on education, independent living, and advocacy for the welfare of children.

Vista Maria embraces a trauma-informed approach — understanding that all people have experienced traumatic events, yet it is through an understanding of trauma and restorative relationships that we instill hope and enable healing within each child and family.
 

Services

FOSTER CARE TO ADOPTION | Families bring love and security so that every child knows their worth

Vista Maria offers a continuum of assistance with fostering that may lead to adoption services. There are many ways for you to help us to bring hope and security to children, from helping to raise awareness or donating time or resources to opening your heart and home to a foster child. Vista Maria is here to work together with you each day as we bring strength and love enough for everyone, so that one day they can do the same for others.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING - SURVIVOR-FOCUSED HEALING AND ADVOCACY | On the forefront of full-continuum healing and advocacy for young survivors

Our 16 bedroom DeRoy Hall opened in 2014 to address the unique needs of adolescent female trafficking survivors. We continue to expand on our campus with new stabilization housing and an Emergency Intake Wing, which centers on the girl’s safety and care by bringing law enforcement, medical, legal, and protective services professionals to her in our secure and familiar surroundings.
 

MENTAL HEALTH RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT | Highly individualized continuum of care in a residential setting

While living on campus, residents have access to physical and mental health services, on-site junior and senior high school provided by the Clara B. Ford Academy, a large cafeteria, a community and family resource center, and recreational facilities. Our clients receive an individualized treatment plan that meets their special needs, including:

• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Recreational and art therapy
• Regular sessions with a child/ adolescent psychiatrist
• Trauma-informed care
• Close monitoring of psychotropic medications, when needed
• Daily contact, care, and coordination of each youth’s health needs
• On-campus education
• Psychological assessment and testing
• Spiritual enrichment
• HIV/AIDS counseling and testing

Our Professional Team Providing Services:

• Master’s level therapist
• Bachelor’s level youth counselor
• Board-certified child psychiatrist
• A full-time nurse experienced in mental health services
• Charter School certified teacher

TRANSITIONAL AND INDEPENDENT LIVING | A safe and secure space to grow for adolescents and young adults

For young people with little or no functioning support system outside of the child welfare or juvenile justice system, and in circumstances when returning home or family reunification is not an option, Transitions is the in-between step – the passage from residential treatment to the community. We help adolescents successfully reintegrate into community independence.

Our Core Values

MERCY & COMPASSION | Love that pardons
We recognize that all people sometimes make mistakes and need the support of others to be restored to physical, psychological and spiritual health.

INDIVIDUAL WORTH | One's own worth as a person
We are passionate about people. Honoring Vista Maria’s spiritual foundation, we respect the sanctity of life, and we value the intrinsic dignity and inherent worth of each person.

RECONCILIATION | Restoration of relationships
We empower our employees, youth and families to achieve positive change and to find personal peace and peace in their relationships with family and society.

ZEAL | Love and kindness in action
We value the passionate giving of our time and talents in service of the welfare of others and the betterment of our world.