In Memoriam: Audrey Geisel, Vista Hill's Biggest Donor Passes Away at the age of 97.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Audrey Geisel. She is Vista Hill’s largest donor and made so many dreams possible for our organization and the families we serve. We were thrilled to honor Mrs. Geisel with the IMBY (In My Back Yard) Award in 2007. Her generosity inspired others in the San Diego community to give to Vista Hill. As the first line of the 2011 New Vistas article says, “A wonderful angel has been watching over Vista Hill for two decades and her name is Audrey Geisel.” (Pictured with Vista Hill President and CEO, Robert Dean.)

Geisel, who was a registered nurse earlier in her life before marrying the late Theodor "Dr. Seuss" Geisel, was frustrated in the 1970s and 80s when she had trouble convincing anyone to pay attention to mental health causes, let alone contribute to them. "To be honest, I felt like I was fighting the battle alone and actually gave up for a number of years. I never understood how people could ignore their fellow human beings as they struggled with mental illness, substance abuse issues and other problems that are part of the human condition. But, I found out about Vista Hill and all the tremendous things they were doing. I was thrilled to discover an organization that was really helping to serve the toughest of the tough, and I was excited to help expand their resources and ability to assist even more people. While I enjoy donating to the arts, education and science, I will never forget that there are countless numbers of human beings living at the edge of our society who are equally deserving of assistance. Unfortunately, to this day we still battle indifference and ignorance. But thankfully, with the caring support of an organization like Vista Hill, we've made real progress in providing the kind of help that truly transforms lives and strengthens our community. I'm honored and blessed to have played a role in the remarkable process," said Mrs. Geisel in the 2011 New Vistas Article.

She will be greatly missed and forever remembered.

Vista Hill's Stein Education Center Adult Services partners with the San Diego Art Institute to Create Masterpieces.  

Through a generous grant from the California Arts Council, San Diego Art Institute's (SDAI) goal is to provide high-quality arts programming for under-served and vulnerable communities. SDAI's Art Access Programming is specifically designed to engage diverse audiences with high quality, yet accessible, contemporary art experiences. The Stein Education Center Adult Program were delighted to receive the art classes and display their masterpieces at Vista Hill's "Building Stronger Families and Brighter Futures" fundraiser. The art class format allowed each participant to experiment with a variety of mediums to fine the one(s) that best helps them transmit their own unique messages.  

SDAI’s Art Access Programming challenged and empowered the adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and helped each participant grow as an individual, give them a platform to demonstrate their enthusiasm for life, and allowed them to practice their skills and abilities and show how they can make a positive contribution to the community. View Video