Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
November 23, 2009 Terry Grahl
734-776-0848
Enchantedmakeovers@comcast.net
2009 Vision Project at Vista Maria’s Myriam House Highlights Love’s Power in Detail
TAYLOR, MI — At Vista Maria’s Myriam House on Sunday, Nov. 15, the excitement was palpable. Over the past two months, dozens of local volunteers had given of their time to paint, sew, hang mirrors and inspirational signs, and install new lighting fixtures and closet doors in 11 bedrooms for at-risk, abused and neglected teens; dozens of others from across the nation and around the world had lovingly created beautiful handmade gifts such as slippers, dolls, stuffed animals, journals and embroidered pillowcases. The entire project was almost a year in the making. It was time for the big reveal.
The 20 girls ranging from ages 13 to 18 raced up the stairs and into their completely transformed rooms shrieking with laughter. “Look at this—you have to see this!” the girls exclaimed, pulling the volunteers and dorm leaders by the hand to point out details such as a fairy’s delicate shoes on the hallway mural, lace trim on the newly painted pink closet shelves, decorative wood towel racks and butterfly wall appliqués. One girl giggled as she mimicked making a snow angel on the plush, brightly colored polka-dot rug. Some had tears streaming down their cheeks as they hugged each of the volunteers in turn.
For Terry Grahl, founder and president of Enchanted Makeovers, it was a poignant moment. “We’ve spent so much time here this year getting to know some of the girls,” she said. “It’s rewarding to watch a dull, dreary dorm metamorphose into a beautiful, welcoming, homelike environment, and I thoroughly enjoy the physical transformation that we were able to accomplish with all of the donors and volunteers. But being able to see the impact of this transformation on the girls who live in the dorm is the heart of Enchanted Makeovers. It’s all about using beauty—down to the smallest of details—to show each girl that she’s worthy of love.”
More than 200 volunteers, businesses and individual donors—some from as far away as Singapore—participated in the project, and gifts ranged from handmade hope chests and new bedspreads to books, jewelry, celebrity swag bags and other personal items.
The dorm transformation marked the final chapter in the 10½-month-long project that included a Celebration of Cooking Event in June, sponsored by Hiller’s, Meijer, C&N Party Rentals, The Detroit News and other organizations, at which the girls were both the gourmet chefs and the belles of the ball. The ordinary dining area and kitchen at Myriam House were transformed into an enchanted fairy garden with ribbons, lace, pretty tablecloths and fresh flowers. Each girl was given a unique handmade apron made by talented Etsy sellers, and local singer and musician Jill Jack charmed her young audience with ballads focusing on hope and inspiration. Enchanted Makeovers volunteers also helped the girls plant and harvest a vegetable garden over the summer.
“It’s important to understand that Enchanted Makeovers isn’t just about dorm makeovers and pretty gifts,” Grahl said. “Although that’s probably the most visible of our outreach efforts, we’re also involved in numerous other events throughout the year that are designed to build strong relationships and great memories with the women and children who live in the spaces we transform.”
For the girls living in Vista Maria’s Myriam House dorm, Enchanted Makeovers’ 2009 Vision Project was a powerful statement about the generosity of strangers and the unlimited potential of the human spirit. “Many of these girls haven’t experienced much love in their lives, so this project means so much to them,” said Amy Adamson, unit manager at Vista Maria. “I’m so amazed with what Terry through Enchanted Makeovers and her team of volunteers has been able to accomplish! We expected a fresh coat of paint and maybe some new curtains—but the makeover has far surpassed anything I could have dreamed. I have no doubt that it will go a long way toward giving the girls hope and inspiring them to reach their potential.”
About Enchanted Makeovers:
Enchanted Makeovers, headquartered in Taylor, Mich., is a nationally recognized non-profit organization that transforms shelters for women and children into heartwarming havens. Serving as a catalyst for change since 2007, Enchanted Makeovers relies on donations of time, talents and funding from individuals, businesses and corporations to realize each shelter makeover. The organization seeks to inspire individuals to realize their dreams by helping others. For more information about the organization and how you can help, visit www.enchantedmakeovers.org.