A BIG thanks to all of our sponsors!

The day is finally here!

A sincere thank-you to EVERYONE who is working hard to make this event possible!

Additionally, we reached our goal with the DTE Energy Challenge Grant!

DHDC staff, clients, and supporters were able to raise an extra $16,000 to be matched!

We would not be able to provide our services without the support of people like YOU.

Jose Salas, DHDC Artist, Inspires Hope

If you have ever visited DHDC, you were most likely greeted by Jose J. Salas at the welcome desk.

Born May 23, 1971, this Detroit Native has been visually handicapped for more than 10 years due to diabetes.  Despite this significant challenge, his life-long love for art has helped him express his feelings and share his vision.

Jose has studied different mediums of art, including charcoals, oils, inks, pencils, and more.

"I find peace and harmony using these mediums to express my view of the world. I can paint for hours with my headphones on--with music and art, the world feels right."

In addition to using his art to decorate DHDC and raise discretionary funds, Jose has also done school and art projects with his children to help them learn to express themselves as he has.

Jose touches the lives of everyone here at DHDC because he is committed to helping anyone who walks through the front door, and he understands that part of that can be done by donating some of his art.  He has graciously donated two beautiful pieces of art for the Gala, pictured below.

 

 Mystic Owl

Distorted Culture

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank Jose for inspiring a shared vision of hope in our DHDC community.

Jose's pieces of art will be on display at our Silent Auction and Raffle at the October 24 Gala.

New Sports Memorabilia!

Authentic Major League Autographed Photo, signed by Detroit Tigers Pitcher Joaquin Benoit!

Thank you to Detroit Tigers Community Affairs!

1 More Week Until the 2013 Challenge Grant Closes!

Folks, there are 9 days left until the 2013 Challenge Grant by DTE Energy closes. 

Make your donation TODAY!

More Silent Auction and Raffle Items - Frank's Prizes!

Heather Janson, Vice President of Marsh National Brokerage and Frank Venegas, Chairman of DHDC's Board of Directors took a shopping trip yesterday to Best Buy to acquire some of the latest and hottest tech items. Check out this great picture!

We can't wait to see what other great items pop up for October 24!

Dream Maker's Gala Entertainment

The DHDC is excited to announce Mark Randisi as the entertainment for the evening. As his bio reads below this is be a truly unique and memorable event and we can't wait for you to join us on October 24th!

Mark Randisi

When Andrea Bocelli first heard Mark Randisi sing, he believed he was listening to a Frank Sinatra recording. That's a common response, but Mark is modest: "I'm flattered when people say I sound like Sinatra. I developed a love for the music and I respect those who created it. However, I am being myself ..."

Close your eyes or turn your head. You'll swear the voice you hear is the original Chairman of the Board, it's really the voice of Mark Randisi, keeping the classic sound and style of Sinatra alive.
What Mark does is an incredible tribute, not a mere imitation. His devotion to the music is apparent, and you'll be swept up in the emotion he brings to each of his quality performances.

Raised in an Italian family in Detroit, Mark was surrounded by a passion for music. His father was a trumpet player and his grandfather an opera singer. After working in a family-owned painting business- As Casy Kasem would say, Mark "put down his paint brush and picked up a microphone."

According to Mark, it was Joe Vicari, CEO and owner of the Andiamo's restaurant dynasty who really gave Mark his first shot at entertaining in the public. A loyal friend, Mark has never forgotten those who have helped him along the way. He can still be seen as a featured performer (along with other headliners such as, Regis Philbin, Tom Jones, Howie Mandel, Natalie Cole, Paul Anka, Gladys Knight, Lou Rawls and more) at Andiamo's Celebrity Showroom in Warren Michigan.
Mark has appeared on stage with diverse performers and celebrities such as Ray Charles, James Darrin, Don Rickles, Joan Rivers, Debbie Reynolds, Fabian, Connie Stevens, Rich Little and more. He gets lavish praise from other performers and observers; some kudos are especially interesting - for example, Paul Rosenberg, producer/manager for rap star Eminem, wanted Sinatra music at his wedding. Mark was the only "Live" entertainer considered for this star-studded event. He was hired and was an instant hit!

It's not only celebrities who appreciate Mark's classic style, well known people in the media sing his praises as well. Author, radio and television host Mitch Album has been to Mark's shows, and insisted Mark be a first guest on his television show. He proclaims, "Mark's show is a must-attend!"
Whether accompanied by big band music or a full string orchestra, a Mark Randisi concert is pure magic. His smooth vocal stylings and engaging stage presence has taken him across the U.S. and Europe, performing with world-class musicians and singing with accompaniment by a single piano up to a 63-piece orchestra.

Mark's entertaining personality, sense of humor and rich voice make him an ideal choice for events of all kinds. People who attend a Mark Randisi concert go away smiling, knowing "The best is yet to come."
-source, http://www.markrandisi.com/bio.html

Please welcome Grace Lieblein, this year's Gala Keynote Speaker!

We are so happy to welcome Grace Lieblein, an impressive Latina leader, as this year's Keynote Speaker! Here is some information regarding her achievements, responsibilities, and interests.

Grace Lieblein

Vice President, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain

Effective December, 2012, Grace Lieblein was appointed to the position of Vice President, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain.  In her new role, Lieblein is responsible for GM’s purchasing activities and supply chain and logistics operations worldwide.  Lieblein was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for Honeywell International as well as the Advisory Board of Focus: HOPE. 

Previously, Lieblein was President and Managing Director of GM Brazil where she oversaw the launch of 9 new products in 15 months, and was part of the unit’s Transformation.  Before coming to Brazil, Lieblein was President and Managing Director of GM Mexico, and the first woman to serve in this role.  While in Mexico, in addition to her position at GM, she was appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Chamber Mexico, and in May 2010, she was named Vice President of the Board.

Grace began her career in 1978 as a co-op student at General Motors Assembly Division in Los Angeles.  She later progressed through a number of positions including manager of GM’s Desert Proving Ground in Arizona and director of Engineering Design for GM’s North America Car Group.

Grace received a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering University) in 1983 and a master's degree in management - materials/logistics from Michigan State University in 1987.  She also holds a certificate from Thunderbird’s Global Leadership program from 1998.

Widely recognized for her achievements, Grace’s most recent honors include:

·         In 2012, she was featured on CNN as part of their “Leading Women” series.  She was also named Executive of the Year by TopCar TV in Brazil.

·         In 2012, she was added to Hispanic Business Magazine's 2012 Corporate Elite 25

·         In 2011, she was recognized by Fortune magazine on their list of “50 Most Powerful Women in Business – International”, ranked as #22 overall, and one of “10 Global Women on the rise”.

·    In 2010, she was recognized by Financial Times magazine, as one of the top 100 women in world business in a group of “The Ones to Watch”.

·         In 2010, She was Second on the list of the Most Powerful Women CEOs in Latin America by America Economy Magazine

·         In, 2010 She was recognized as one of the top 100 Women in the Automotive Industry by Automotive News

·     In 2010, Expansion Magazine placed her in the second position of the “Top 50 most powerful women in Mexico”

When she is not working, Grace enjoys exercising, cooking, reading and traveling with her family.

Sponsor Updates!

So, it's been a few weeks since the last post, but here is our updated list of sponsors for this year's event! We have had many companies join our mission, but we still need more!

Let's make certain that YOUR company joins before the 24th of October!