Our Founder

In 2010, Mary Toews noticed something that weighed heavily on her heart. In her own community, she saw children carrying an invisible burden—a quiet sense of hopelessness, as though their dreams had no place to grow. She knew these children were full of untapped talents and abilities, but without opportunity, those gifts might never come to light.

At the time, families facing financial hardship had no access to affordable programs that nurtured creativity or provided cultural enrichment. For many, simply covering daily necessities was already a struggle. Mary believed that should never mean a child goes without a safe place to belong, a space where imagination can flourish and confidence can take root.

Determined to change this, she began reaching out to volunteers who could share their skills—painting, dance, music, performing arts—anything that would spark joy and open doors for children. The response was heartfelt, and little by little, something beautiful began to take shape.

By 2011, Mary officially founded a nonprofit organization. When it came time to give it a name, she turned to the children themselves. Without hesitation, they called it “Mari’s Place for the Arts,” the name they had already been using.

From the beginning, Mari’s Place for the Arts has been more than classes or activities—it has been a home for creativity, laughter, and belonging. Mary, a respected voice and trusted presence in the community, poured her life and resources into making sure children would always have a place to discover who they are and what they can become. She even sold all of her assets in Mexico to support this dream, and worked as a translator to help provide for the children at Mari’s Place for the Arts. Her personal sacrifices stand as a testament to her unwavering belief that every child deserves the chance to thrive.

Today, walking into Mari’s Place for the Arts  is like witnessing a dream alive with color and movement. Children find joy, families find hope, and the community finds strength. What began as one woman’s vision has grown into a lasting legacy: a place where art is not just taught, but where lives are transformed.