The Marla Kantor Butterfly Sanctuary and Tranquility Garden at Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services

On Wednesday June 3rd, 2015, on the verdant campus of Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services in West Los Angeles, Michael Kantor honored his wife, Vista board member Marla Kantor, with the stunning donation of The Marla Kantor Butterfly Sanctuary and Tranquility Garden, reflecting her boundless passion for and work on behalf of Vista‘s children and families.

Vista Del Mar’s Leadership Advisory Board (LAB), devoted to optimizing the lives of those most in need, spearheaded this extraordinary Horticulture Therapy-inspired celebration for emotionally challenged youth.
Members of LAB, Vista’s Board of Directors, Vista’s Inspired Teens and Vista’s residential youth came together with gusto and gratitude to thank the Kantors and to participate in planting a flourishing garden. Designed to invite butterflies, this beautiful area outside of Vista’s Special Care Facility, was filled with seeds and native plants provided by Margaret Oakley-Otto of Oakley Gardens.

This life affirming gift, created for Vista’s most vulnerable youth who face issues of unparalleled complexity, was thoughtfully innovated to cultivate a sense of healing, peace, security, focus, joy, hope, and connection to earth and nature. The Kantor’s donation will enable Vista’s kids a loving place to process thoughts and feelings in times of emotional pain, as they witness seeds rooted and rising reflecting the cycle of life.

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Vista Del Mar is a proud recipient of Charity Navigator’s highest rating