Twilight Benefit Foundation

09/11/2015

Our final honoree is an organization, The Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Foundation .

The Detroit Metropolitan Bar Association Foundation established For The Seventh Generation in 2005 to provide metro Detroit's foster children with goods and services that aren't available by other means. The program works by matching donations with foster children and families in need, providing everything from orthodontic care and beds to Prom dresses and tickets to sporting events. In 2014 alone the program served more than 1,000 children through programs including the Help Closet, Prom Palooza, and the winter Holiday Bazaar. By making it possible for those in the community to change the life of one child at a time, the Foundation works to help "our" children in foster care thrive.

Come celebrate with us next Saturday at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Check out event details online at twilightbenefit.com

09/09/2015

Our next Civic Award goes to Michelle Busuito. Michelle Busuito began volunteering in Detroit in 2010 as a co-founder of Hostel Detroit, where she remains an active board member today. In 2013, after hearing disturbing statistics that thousands of collected r**e kits in Wayne County were shelved and unprocessed, Michelle joined efforts with the newly formed Sexual Assault Free Detroit (SAF/D) coalition. Michelle supported SAF/D by fundraising and event planning. The success of these efforts led to the eventual founding of the Michigan Women’s Foundation’s Enough SAID (Enough Sexual Assault In Detroit)initiative. . Michelle remains actively involved with Enough Said, helping raise funding and public awareness to this jarring public safety concern. As an Advisory Committee member, she’s dedicated to ensuring that each r**e prosecution is funded and that each victim receives justice.

Come and celebrate Michelle and our other four civic award honorees on Saturday September 19th at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. You can purchase tickets at http://twilightbenefit.com/EventTwilightBall.aspx

09/08/2015

On September 19th, come celebrate our next Civic Awards Honoree, Delphia Simmons.

Delphia Simmons began volunteering in Detroit in 2009, when she joined up with the COO of HPRP (Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program Initiative). In 2011, while still helping with HPRP as program director, Delphia founded Thrive Detroit. Thrive Detroit is a Low-profit Limited Liability Corporation that helps people of every economic class create income, which helps prevent homelessness and even ends homelessness for some. While helping with both of these programs, Delphia was also part of the Leadership Team for Coalition on Temporary Shelters (COTS). Cots also works to alleviate homelessness, as well as help with the reasons individuals are homeless in the first place. In 2012, Delphia became an Evaluation and Data Quality Director, and in 2014 became the Passport to Self-Sufficiency Director. She now is employed full time by COTS and spends the rest of her time focused on Thrive Detroit.

The event is open to the public. By tickets at http://twilightbenefit.com/EventTwilightBall.aspx

09/03/2015

Congrats to Detroit Lion Kyle Van Noy and his wife Marissa. They are being presented with a Twilight Gala Civic Award on September 19th at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. Please Join us. http://twilightbenefit.com/EventTwilightBall.aspx

Kyle Van Noy was born and raised in Nevada where he showed great athletic abilities in all sports and even led his high school football team to an undefeated season and to a state championship in 2008. Following his tremendous success, Kyle was ranked the 63rd best high school athlete by ESPN. He attended the Brigham Young University football program where he gave a record breaking performance. After graduating with a Bachelor’s in History, Kyle was drafted in the second round by the Detroit Lions in the 2014 NFL draft. Kyle is now married to his college sweetheart Marissa Powell.

Marissa was Miss Utah USA 2013 placing 3rd runner-up in the Miss USA pageant and won Miss Photogenic USA 2013. Marissa is currently signed with Elite Modeling Agency out of Miami. Along with her successful modeling career, Marissa also has a blossoming acting career and has appeared on shows like ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ and NBC’s ‘The Today Show'. On top of her modeling and acting career, Marissa is dedicated to giving back to others. She is on the board of directors for Best Buddies Utah and works as an Ambassador for Healing Hands for Haiti, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing rehabilitation medicine to Haiti. She is also an advocate of adoption and works closely with 'Pound the Pavement for Parenthood'- an organization that raises money for families to adopt a child into their home.

Together, Kyle and Marissa have been working closely with local Detroit charity, For The Seventh Generation, working as honorary board members for their annual fundraiser to help aid foster children in the area. The couple also worked on Prom Palooza which helped 50 foster children in Detroit attend their prom.

09/02/2015

Introducing the first of our Twilight Benefit Civic Award Honorees, Tyree Guyton of the famous Heidelberg Project.

As a native to the city of Detroit, Tyree Guyton could not stand to see the neighborhood he once grew up in crumble to the ground so he decided to take action. In 1986, Tyree began work on the now world famous Heidelberg Project with the objective of using art as a catalyst to create positive change in his childhood neighborhood but it ended up becoming much more than that. As of today, the Heidelberg Project has become a staple to the city of Detroit. The vividly colored houses and salvaged items turned into an array of art displays have put a tremendous spotlight on the block which in turn have helped deter crime and gang violence from the area. As well as turning this once desolate vicinity into a work of art, Guyton has reached his ultimate goal of raising awareness to Detroit’s dilemma of abandoned neighborhoods by giving tours, lectures, and even holding art workshops with children from the area. All of these initiatives have turned the Heidelberg Project into the cultural hub of Detroit.

On September 19th, come celebrate the work of Mr. Guyton and four other fantastic people/ organizations giving back to our community. Tickets available at http://twilightbenefit.com/EventTwilightBall.aspx

07/21/2015

10/03/2014

09/24/2014

Thanks to all of you who came out to support the gala!!! Hour Magazine was there too and here are some highlights.

Hour Detroit Magazine brings you stories of regional interest along with the best restaurants, clubs, events and useful resources.

09/11/2014

Congratulations Kristin Lusn! 2014 Twilight Civic Award Honorees!

Kristin Lusn began volunteering in Detroit by joining the Marketing, Communications and Community Outreach committee of the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy in 2006. The following year, she was invited to join the Board of the Detroit Historical Society. During her time at the Detroit Historical Society, Kristin was asked to spearhead a young professionals group, which was named Detroit 313 Society, holding events for young professionals and exposing them to the history of the city - promoting networking while giving back on a smaller financial level to the Historical Society. The idea is to cultivate the next generation of donors.

After the success of the young professional organization, Kristin was asked by Detroit RiverFront Conservancy’s then-CEO to create a similar organization for the riverfront as well. Enter the creation of Riviere28, beginning in 2012. Riviere28 creates inviting experiences for the younger generation to enjoy different spaces along the footprint of the river. Holding two signature events, Light Up the Riverfront and Soiree on the Greenway, Riviere28 partners with other organizations across the city in various events.

Kristin is also on the young professional board of the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Founders Junior Council. The group raises significant funds and awareness for the museum and its arts through signature events, Cirque and Fash Bash, and a preview Art Seen events along with Behind the Scenes tours. This year, Kristin was on the committee for the Annual Meeting Summer social which was held at the Rossetti headquarters balcony with guest speaker Fernando Palazuelo, the developer and purchaser of the Packard Plant. This event was a record breaking sold out event and wonderful showcase of Detroit with its 4th level rooftop on Fort Street and Shelby.

09/09/2014

Congratulations Amy Peterson! 2014 Twilight Civic Award Honorees!

Amy Peterson and her partner formed Rebel Nell to employ, educate and empower underprivileged women in the community - hiring women directly out of the shelter, providing them with employment, financial management, business education and life wellness so that they can transition to an independent life. Rebel Nell teaches them to make jewelry from fallen graffiti; this jewelry is very important to restoring the confidence in the women that are hired. After the brief training period, each woman is given the job title of “creative designer”. The women are able to create whatever shapes and sizes of jewelry that speak to them. Each pieces is a true reflection of the personality of the woman who made it.

In addition to the skill of making jewelry and restoring confidence, Rebel Nell provides the women with bank accounts, financial management classes as well as a personal financial advisor. They are given the knowledge on how to run a small business by being involved in every detail of the company and take life wellness courses (including everything from cooking classes, yoga and zumba, legal aide, women’s empowerment seminars and family outings). Rebel Nell believes that all of these things help provide the foundation for living an independent life.

09/05/2014

Congratulations Stephen Tulloch! 2014 Twilight Civic Award Honorees!

Detroit Lions’ captain starting linebacker, Stephen Tulloch, is expanding his Operation 55 program to help local students across Detroit. Tulloch is known for his community efforts off of the field and has put together a CrowdRise campaign to take his community support and involvement to another level.

Stephen Tulloch has helped thousands of families and individuals over the past three years since signing with the Detroit Lions. The Operation 55 program has taken over 1500 kids and families to Detroit Lions home games, provided free dental and vision services to children without health insurance, adopted families affected by cancer for the holidays, granted wishes for children affected by cancer with the Make a Wish program, assisted in health and funeral payments for families that are financially unable to afford specific services for their children.

“I’ve always been involved with the community both in Tennessee, where I played for 6 years, and now here in Detroit. Detroit has really embraced me and my foundation and everything that I’ve done while playing here,” says Tulloch. “This year, I felt it necessary to help the city on another level, so we decided to raise funds and help the schools in Detroit. I’ve been to a lot of the high schools and elementary schools around the city and I see that there are things that need to be improved or kids need computers, so this will give me a chance to really get into the schools, meet the students and teachers and make a difference.”

The Stephen Tulloch Foundation was launched in 2009 and is dedicated towards helping underprivileged youth achieve success and have the same opportunities as other children. Tulloch’s goal is to supply these children with the necessary tools to build self-esteem, achieve goals and unlock their potential. The Stephen Tulloch Foundation provides help and support in education, health and athletics. The Stephen Tulloch Foundation has been selected as one of the top five foundations in the NFL for the past two years and Stephen has been a finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the year award in 2012 and 2013.

09/04/2014

Congratulations Chelsea Neblett and Becki Kenderesh! 2014 Twilight Civic Award Honorees!

Chelsea Neblett and Becki Kenderes are community organizers by trade. Over the past few years, they organized tens of dozens of community clean-ups in their neighborhood on Detroit’s Northwest side. The duo quickly noticed some recurring problems at these events; oftentimes more volunteers showed up to participate than they had tools to go around, and those in the area who owned their own equipment (such as lawn mowers) had trouble transporting them to volunteer sites. Chelsea and Becki put their heads together and determined that it wouldn’t take much to acquire a truck and enough tools to “share the love” across the city.

Since Chelsea and Becki operate Lots of Love as volunteers, clean-ups must occur on the weekends (they have to keep their day jobs). However, the two aim to squeeze in as many clean-ups as possible and have already booked out virtually every weekend between now and October.

These women have led numerous efforts to advocate for demolition of dangerous buildings in their neighborhood. Approximately 30 of these properties were recently demolished. As a result, the pair got to work on fundraising and have now raised $30,000 to install low maintenance, green infrastructure on these aggregated vacant lots. The green infrastructure will include trees, urban prairies and wild flowers, adding beauty and safety to the neighborhood.

Lots of Love Detroit, is a tool lending library on wheels, free to Detroit residents and volunteers to use for community improvement projects. A volunteer-powered operation, Lots of Love is operated entirely by co-founders Chelsea Neblett and Becki Kenderes during their spare time. The two acquired a used ice cream truck, filled it with a wide range of lawn care tools and hit the streets each weekend to support volunteers and non-profit organizations in cleaning up abandoned properties across the city. The goal? To promote resident engagement and community care through the tactical transformation of vacant lots into productive community spaces. Hosting a surplus of vacant lots and abandoned homes, Detroit holds an enormous amount of under-utilized land. Lots of Love is turning that state of affairs around by lending communities all the tools they need to complete their projects, for free! The service takes time, money, and transportation out of the equation, giving residents open access to the tools needed to take care of their city.