The Loop - Nevada (March 2024)

THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND NEVADA

MARCH 2024

ISSUE 36

Greetings from WestCare Nevada, I am proud to announce that the Loop Newsletter for this month will focus on just one event - an event that began with discussions approximately 10 years ago, then with more specific planning taking place over the past several years, and finally culminating with an epic groundbreaking event.

On February 22, 2024, another WestCare Nevada beacon of hope emerged with the groundbreaking of The Village at the Women and Children’s Campus (WCC) transitional living facility. This spectacular event marked not only the inauguration of a physical space, but also the beginning of a new chapter in the lives of the women and children served by WestCare Nevada who are seeking stability, support, and a path towards a brighter future.

The Village at the WCC will stand as evidence of the power of collaboration and collective action. This facility has been funded through partnerships with local, state, federal government, and private donors, and is designed to provide a safe and nurturing environment for women with and/or without children so that they may have the opportunity to continue to work on the Social Determinants of Health once they have completed residential treatment.

What sets The Village apart is its holistic approach to addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by those in transition. We at WestCare recognize that stable housing is just one piece of the puzzle, so this facility will offer comprehensive supportive services tailored to the individual needs of each resident. So, whether it's assistance with employment, navigating legal matters, or accessing educational opportunities - a dedicated team will provide guidance every step of the way.

Now back to the groundbreaking - the order of speakers exhibited the true importance of this project to our community at large, and what you see in the photos included in this newsletter is an event that went off without a hitch.

Speakers included Mr. Jim Wadhams, our WestCare Board of Directors Chair; remarks from United States Congresswoman Susie Lee; and video remarks from United States Congressman Steven Horseford.

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We also heard from our esteemed Mayor of the City of Las Vegas, Ms. Carolyn Goodman, who has remained a staunch supporter for decades of the work we do here at WestCare. Mayor Goodman reminded everyone in the audience how important this project was and how important it is for the entire community, including the private sector, to get involved in and support projects such as these. We also heard remarks from our First Lady of the State of Nevada, Ms. Donna Lombardo, from our Director of Residential Services, Ms. Irma Magrdichian; and finally closing remarks from another remarkable woman, a longtime supporter of our women in treatment, and Chair of our Community Action Council, Ms. Marilyn Moran.

The entire groundbreaking event created a palpable sense of optimism, a reminder that no one is beyond redemption and that with the right resources and support, lives can and will be transformed. The Village at the Women and Children’s Campus will serve as a lifeline for those in need, offering a sanctuary of stability, and once completed, stand as a shining example of what can be achieved when communities come together toward the purpose of Uplifting the Human Spirit. I can guarantee that WestCare Nevada has every intention of expanding transitional living opportunities to other populations such as families and single fathers as well, and once we successfully demonstrate the impact of this project, those services will be planned next. In addition, if you know me, then you know that Harris Springs Ranch is also a priority for rebuild, which includes adjunct therapies such as Equine Therapy. So, pray for horses and stay tuned.

Once again, we cannot thank everyone enough who made it possible for this day to come to fruition. From our longtime supporters to those who helped us with the preparations day-of, you had a hand in us being one step closer to the ribbon cutting of The Village. Thank you.

Leo Magrdichian, LCSW, LCADC, Vice President

w e s tcarenevada . c o m

84 Transitional Living Units 2 Multipurpose Rooms

4 Children's Play Areas

6 Community Gardens

1 Children's Learning Center

This Groundbreaking is Only the Beginning

By Andrew Moran, Development Director, WestCare Foundation On February 22, 2024, WestCare Nevada broke ground on The Village at the Women and Children’s Campus. The Village is an 84-unit transitional living community for women and women with children to reside after their successful completion of residential treatment either with WestCare or another community provider. Services to be provided include case management, peer recovery support, parenting classes, family reunification, vocational and financial literacy training, reentry services for criminal justice involved individuals, and more.

This has been a dream 10 years in the making, and countless people have given their time and energy to this much-needed project. The Village will have supportive services and will provide a safe and nurturing environment specifically designed for families experiencing trauma, abuse, drug and alcohol, mental health illness, and homelessness. We want to create a sense of belonging and teach financial literacy and life-skills education classes. The Village will also have two multipurpose rooms and four playgrounds with gardens full of vegetables and fruits.

I was proud to be part of this celebration and part of the development team to help raise the funding to secure this Groundbreaking. The entire community was brought together for the fundraising effort, and I am pleased to say we received support from both private and public funding. From a small GoFundMe donation to support from an Angel Investor, we are humbled and grateful for our community, our city, and our state’s support of our vision.

This event was amazing and we had symbolic representations from all the major politicians from Congressmen Susie Lee, Mayor Carolyn Goodman, First Lady Donna Lombardo, and (virtually) Congressmen Steven Horsford. Staff from Senator Rosen’s office and Senator Cortez's office also joined us to deliver Proclamations.

The Groundbreaking is only the beginning, and we look forward to a ribboncutting in early 2025. We will continue our mission in the community to Uplift the Human Spirit.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE VILLAGE,CONTACT ANDREW AT: (702) 279-9366 | andrew.moran@westcare.com

westcarenevada.com

The Vi

AT THE WOMEN

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N & CHILDREN'S CAMPUS

Uplifting the Human Spirit

Services to be provided: case management, peer recovery support, parenting classes, family reunification, vocational training and financial literacy, reentry services for criminal justice-involved individuals, and more!

As a Survivor of Traumas Myself, the Groundbreaking was a Triumphant Day

By Irma Magrdichian, Director of Residential Services The Groundbreaking for The Village at the Women and Children’s Campus was a triumphant day filled with joy and satisfaction for me and many others who have diligently worked to make this dream a reality. I am privileged to be part of this collaborative effort to ensure that women and children are provided with a safe and stable living environment for an extended period and receive guidance and support in the early stages of their recovery.

As a survivor of many traumas myself, I am proud to be part of providing a solid foundation for families to thrive and achieve their desired goals as they prepare to live independently and free from negative relationships and abusive behaviors. The Village will significantly increase opportunities for child reunification, strengthen familial relationships, provide continued education, employment opportunities, money management, responsible living, and, most importantly, caring individuals to Uplift the Human Spirit as they navigate their chosen journeys into long-term sobriety.

My Spirit Uplifted, My Dedication Strengthened

By Andrea Raney, Assistant Director, Women and Children’s Campus To experience the groundbreaking for WestCare Nevada’s The Village at the Women and Children’s Campus was truly an honor. There was a huge community involvement presence from a host of WestCare affiliates from around the globe and a vast diverse group of people - everyone from interested individuals, invested groups, organizational partners, and politicians.

To be a part of something that was so highly spoken of uplifted my spirit and strengthened my dedication to assisting individuals on their path to sobriety and selfsufficiency. The excitement and anticipation that was expressed by everyone in attendance, and still to this day, further supports the need for this development of transitional housing to assist those in continuing their growth towards recovery and stability. I am grateful to be a part of WestCare, a beacon that has paved the way in recovery efforts, helping those in our communities for many years.

It honestly was exciting – even after. People were so invested and interested in what we do here overall. It was definitely memorable!

@westcarenevada

Uplifting the Human Spirit Excited for the Future

By Edgar Salcido, Program Director, Harris Springs Ranch The Groundbreaking event at the Women and Children’s Campus was an extremely special event and one that I was excited to be present for. It was inspiring and encouraging to see all the support WestCare received from all levels of our Nevada community. It was encouraging to know that the vision that WestCare has to Uplift the Human Spirit is recognized, shared, and supported. Listening to the speeches from Irma Magrdichian, Director of Residential Services, to everyone who assisted in making the groundbreaking possible spoke to all the work that WestCare does for the community and the efforts we have put in to get to this point. I am extremely excited to see this property develop and how it is going to benefit the members of the Las Vegas Community.

Our WestCare Board Members Break Bread with The Women of the WCC

By Nou Her, Marketing Specialist The Village’s Groundbreaking ceremony coincided with our WestCare Board Week, where WestCare leadership and board of directors from across the state and overseas travel to convene at our Henderson, Nevada Headquarters. We were honored that they could attend the groundbreaking ceremony in support of what WestCare Nevada strives to do with this new project. The morning of the groundbreaking, our board members joined the ladies at the Women and Children’s Campus for a morning breakfast where they interacted with the women we currently serve and those who will benefit directly from the construction of The Village.

A Truly Remarkable Day

By Rhonda Davisson, Transitional and VA Programs Coordinator On February 22, 2024, we had a very good day. We saw local, state, and Federal government officials as well as community partners representing education, health care, spiritual ministries, private enterprises, and our recovery community join with our WestCare Family at the Women and Children’s Campus to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for The Village. This was a very good day, indeed. To know the vision and watch the commitment of our stellar Community Action Council (CAC) members and the entire WestCare Family become a reality is exciting. To see the extended community support from the public and private sectors was also invigorating. WestCare Nevada is committed to delivering high-quality services that empower people to transform their lives. I am honored to share a small part of this newest opportunity to empower our clients in transforming their lives.

Continue the journey online!

westcarenevada.com

Follow WestCare Nevada on social media to learn more about our team and the work we're doing in our local community! #WestCareNevada

WestCare Nevada

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@westcarenevada

@westcarenevada