Greetings from WestCare Nevada,
There are two separate, yet connected (in my opinion) occasions related to the month of May that require specific attention, awareness, and even commemoration. First off, the entire month of May is Mental Health Awareness Month and we at WestCare believe in the need to continue to foster the shared commitment and effort towards transforming our communities by de-stigmatizing mental health related issues. We can do this by talking openly about mental health. We can do this by continuing to educate ourselves and others about mental health. We can do this by paying attention to our language so that we do not discourage those needing help from seeking it. We can do this by showing love and compassion to those who are experiencing mental health issues, and we can do this by meeting them right where they are.
From a theoretical perspective, we know that mental health stems from both genetics and from environmental factors. So, when it comes to how an individual’s environment impacts their mental health, we must remain mindful of how important the role culture plays, and then use one’s culture as a strength to move individuals and families toward healing.
While attending the National Council for Mental Wellbeing (NatCon23) conference in Los Angeles, I was astounded to find out that out of the 198,811 therapists in the United States, only 21% of them are people of color. It can only make one wonder if that is part of the reason why certain cultures choose not to seek out mental health help in the first place and although there are now specific efforts taking place to address this disparity and use cultural strengths of facilitate healing - specifically in relation to building supportive communities and using subgroups such as the faith community as a bridge to service providers, more still needs to be done.
This month’s Nevada Loop newsletter discusses NatCon23 and how well WestCare was represented at this event. You will also read about our
attendance at the world’s #1 fundraising conference, the AFP Icon Conference WestCare Nevada, specifically our Spiritual Care Chaplaincy Program, also celebrated eight years in service this month and part of that celebration was an event at Patriot Park. Members of our Connections Program (Fatherhood F.I.R.E.) team also attended a community BBQ event hosted by the City of North Las Vegas. This event provided the opportunity for young adults and their families to hear inspiring stories of courage by those who have overcome challenges associated with substance use and mental health.
As you know, In May, we also celebrate Mother’s Day Maya Angelou was quoted as saying “A mother’s love liberates," and I cannot think of a better way of expressing how I believe these two separate occasions are connected. Imagine if we took the time to address mental health with the same care and concern displayed by the mothers in our lives. As society deems that our nation is experiencing a mental health crisis, we must alter that perspective by changing our own perception and instead view this so-called crisis as an opportunity. An opportunity to liberate people just as a mother’s love does… by helping, serving, loving, and nurturing those in need. Therefore, by Uplifting the Human Spirit as we at WestCare do so eloquently.
WestCare Nevada Joins their Fellow Operations to Attend and Present at NatCon 2023
By Andrew Moran, Development Director, WestCare Foundation
From May 1st to May 3rd, over 50 members of leadership from WestCare attended NatCon23, hosted by The National Council for Mental Wellbeing This is the largest conference in mental health and substance use treatment where all participants were committed to bettering the lives and the communities they served We were able to network with over thousands of healthcare professionals from across the country and world Hundreds of sought-after speakers in the healthcare industry spoke at the conference and we participated in deep-dive discussions about the future of our field while exploring new technologies and trends within the healthcare industry
This was a monumental opportunity for WestCare to not only learn from other experts and organizations, but to also share our knowledge and expertise On behalf of WestCare Nevada, our Vice President, Leo Magrdichian; Director of Residential Services, Irma Magrdichian; and myself presented at the conference about how public and private dollars can be successfully combined to build supportive communities and spaces for those in recovery With our presentation so aptly titled “It Takes a Village: Successfully Integrating Public and Private Funding to Build a Supportive Community,” we hoped to give insight on our success to help other organizations succeed and through our combined effortsimpact the lives of all those who seek services like ours
Additionally, WestCare’s additional operations were represented by Chief Officer for Resource Development and Program Support for WestCare Foundation and Senior Vice President of WestCare Texas, Beverly Watts-Davis, and Vice President for WestCare California, MaryAnn Knoy, both spoke as part of impromptu audience member interviews about their experiences and service during the opening session Meanwhile, WestCare CEO, Ken Ortbals along with Chief Information Officer, Dwayne Stevens and Deputy Chief Information Officer, Jim Workman, presented on cyber security Jennifer Hilton, WestCare Foundation’s Director of Training and Technology Transfer, spoke at the Mental Health First Aid Summit on instructor-led training while Beverly-Watts Davis presented on engaging communities of color, and Chief Administration Officer for WestCare Foundation, Savannah Jones, led an interactive “poster presentation” on exciting new strategies being implemented by our Human Resources department to increase employee resilience and retention
On top of serving as a showcase for all that WestCare is doing nationwide and abroad - this conference was a wonderful opportunity full of learning experiences as we navigated and conversed with so many experts to understand and better expand our knowledge of the field of mental health and substance use treatment and how we can improve WestCare to create greater impact in the communities we serve
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) ICON 2023
By Andrew Moran, Development Director, WestCare FoundationIn mid-April, WestCare was proud to attend AFP ICON 2023, Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and has been considered fundraising conference. This year brought the good times (laissez French phrase for “let the good times roll”) to New Orleans for three days of learning and networking.
Among the keynote speakers for the event was Misty Copeland philanthropist. Misty Copeland's foundation is a newer foundation aims to bring greater diversity, equity, and inclusion to dance making the artform affordable, accessible, and fun.
Closing out the event was legendary chef, TV personality, and Foundation - Mr. Emeril Lagasse! BAM! Emeril shared his story many decades ago with the help and mentorship of Andre Agassi. emphasis on educating with the intent to inspire, mentor, and potential through culinary nutrition and arts education.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time there, learned many new ideas, help enhance our fundraising efforts. With exposure to exciting spent in brainstorming sessions, we are excited to bring back some our campaigns and better support the programs and services we are so proud to provide!
westcare.com
Celebrating Eight Years of the Spiritual Care Chaplain Program
By Ryan Michael Creelman, Spiritual Director, Spiritual Care Chaplain Program
May 1 marked the eighth year since the founding of WestCare Nevada’s Spiritual Care Chaplain Program (SCCP), an optional faith-based component to WestCare Nevada’s treatment program In honor of this anniversary, SCCP and the Spiritual Alumni Group partnered with faith-based service providers for a celebration at Patriot Park
The celebration included a family-style meal with delicious BBQ provided to nearly 120 attendees We let loose and enjoyed an adult bounce house, giant inflatable slide, obstacle course, and games of football and basketball, dodgeball, frisbee toss, and kickball We’d like to send a special shout-outs to Ray Wold, owner of Amazing Clowns for the bounce houses and our Native American recovery community partners at Solutions on Sunset I was honored to receive a surprise community award presentation by New Journey Church for our program’s service
We were joined by WestCare Nevada leadership and staff on behalf of the Women & Children’s Campus, Harris Springs Ranch, Las Vegas Community Involvement Center, and 4th Street Transitional Housing Their presence filled us with support and appreciation Seeing Vice President, Leo Magrdichian joining in on the festivities was very special to us
We have found great joy in supporting WestCare Nevada by Uplifting the Human Spirit these past eight years and look forward to many more!
Celebrating Eight Years of the Spiritual Care Chaplain Program (cont'd)
By Troy Walker, Research Assistant,
Connections
Fatherhood F.I.R.E.The North Las Vegas Community Correctional Restoration Through Courage event at the May 6, 2023. This event invited young adults experiences
