Leonard W. Smith Award Honoree Meredith Reese Finds Purpose in Healing and Hope at Vista Maria
Meredith Reese says she lives her passion every day as chief operating officer at Vista Maria, a Dearborn Heights-based nonprofit organization that provides support and trauma services for youth and families in southeast Michigan. She also says she was “speechless” when she learned she was selected as a Flinn Foundation Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award honoree.
We checked in with Reese to learn more and discover how she wants to recharge and reset, thanks to the Mental Health Hero Award.
Q: You have advanced to the chief operations position at Vista Maria. What have you learned about yourself through this process?
Reese: Being in mental health has always been my passion. I was born and raised in Kentucky and I worked at a psychiatric hospital there for numerous years before I came to Michigan in 2003.
When I found Vista Maria, I learned that the power of family is real. We can’t give up on family, regardless of what has happened. Kids tell me no matter what mom has done or dad has done, they’re still my mom. They’re still my dad. You can’t take that away from anyone.
What we glean from folks in our support system is whether it’s mom or dad or an aunt, grandma, a family friend or whomever — family are those who are trustworthy, reliant and give grace because we may make a lot of mistakes. When we really emphasize those family connections or social support for our kids and for our families, that’s where we get the ultimate superpower because those things equal resilience. How do we bounce back when life gets hard? We lean on others to help us through.
Q: Your background is in marriage and family therapy. What skills did you learn through that speciality that you use in your role right now?
Reese: Communication and stating the issue at hand. Not hitting below the belt. Then, how do we set a time limit? We have to be strategic with what’s the problem, the root cause, what I own, what you own and how we need to work together toward the solution, so let’s put a time limit on this.
Q: How does it feel to be recognized by the Flinn Foundation as a Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero?
Reese: This means so much. But this is what I do. This is day-to-day work for me. I didn’t do anything special, but you know, to hear I was recognized, it just really hit home. With all the other recipients, we continue to do this amazing work. My husband jokes that I need to slow down and stop being superwoman. But then he says, wait a minute, why would you do that?
But this is a very humbling experience for me. I feel like my work has been a calling for me and this is the right thing to do. I want to make sure that everyone knows that Vista Maria is here for the community.
Q: The Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award comes with a month-long break to re-energize. What plans do you have for that time?
Reese: I think about taking a little time without what I call all the “noise” and what it means to be present in the stillness. I think I will take joy in planning a vacation with my husband. There are some wellness resorts in Hawaii that I want to partake in.
One thing I do recognize is that I am doing family things but am I truly present? There’s a difference in just being there with everyone and being truly present in the moment with my loved ones. I want to take this time not only for myself but with my husband and then with my son, who’s 13. My mom and my sister are in Kentucky so I want to spend time with them also.
Q: That connects back to what you said earlier. We don’t stand alone. But those family connections just don’t happen.
Reese: They take work, yes.
Q: How will this break support your own mental health?
Reese: I want it to be a little bit of ‘what does Meredith want to do today and this week?’ I’m going to do my walking, my massages. I want to be intentional and say these are the things I want to do as I make my list. It’s Meredith’s personal wellness list.
Q: If you were not serving as COO of Vista Maria, what other job do you dream of doing?
Reese: I’m a big fan of dance — dance theater, choreography and expressive body movement have always interested me. I cannot carry a tune whatsoever, but I love that energy and motivation. That carries a lot of weight for me.
Q: What do you do on a regular basis to care for your own mental health?
Reese: It’s me watching reality cooking shows on the couch, comfy in a jogging outfit. I love baking competitions!
About Vista Maria: Vista Maria traces its roots back to 1883, when it was founded by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd as a refuge for young women in need. Over the years, it has evolved into a multifaceted nonprofit organization dedicated to helping vulnerable girls and young women navigate the effects of trauma, neglect, and abuse.
Today, Vista Maria offers a wide range of services, including residential treatment, foster care and adoption support, education and transitional living programs. Through specialized counseling, vocational training and ongoing mentorship, the organization empowers youth to develop resilience, confidence and a clear path toward independence. By combining its rich historical legacy of compassionate care with evidence-based, trauma-informed methods, Vista Maria continues to uplift those it serves, ensuring they have the tools and support necessary to build healthier, more successful futures.
Learn more about the Leonard W. Smith Mental Health Hero Award and each of the inaugural honorees at flinnfoundation.org.
