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Countless courageous associates lent their creative talents to transform ten hospital rooms at the Detroit Medical Center’s renowned Children Hospital of Michigan.  The result – accommodations that are distinctive, colorful and soothing – was inspiring.

The MotorCity Casino Hotel employee volunteer-based Helping Hands committee and the Wish Upon a Teen organization teamed up on Friday, Nov. 8 to makeover the rooms with a unique array of décor. The committee decorated the individual rooms in themes chosen and curated by the children, who drew inspiration from storybook characters to superheroes.

Wish Upon a Teen, which provides resources, time and opportunities to teenagers with severe life-limiting medical conditions, aims to help normalize their environment and rebuild their self-esteem using creative, social and educational opportunities as they transition to adulthood.

Organization founder Michelle Soto drew from her extensive background as a Child Life Specialist caring for children and teenagers at Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA to launch the group in spring 2011.

Through this experience, she learned that the special needs of critically ill teens are often overlooked in the medical community.  That, coupled with normal teenage stressors and the impact of a severe life-altering medical condition or injury, can make the transition to adulthood extremely challenging. 

Today, Wish Upon a Teen continues to provide ongoing support, age-appropriate programs and a variety of fun events to these brave teenagers throughout the United States. 

The MotorCity Casino Hotel Helping Hands (MCCHHH) committee was formed in 2003 with the expressed intent of establishing the casino as a good community partner. The group is comprised of MCCH associates who guide and direct the company’s philanthropic resources, with support from the company’s ownership and executive leadership.