The Loop - Nevada (June 2024)

THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND NEVADA

JUNE 2024

ISSUE 39

VOLUME 4

Greetings from WestCare Nevada, June has been a vibrant and fulfilling month, packed with impactful events and meaningful engagements. As we introduce you to the events that have taken place, I cannot stop thinking about the fact that our lives, the tremendous work being done here at WestCare Nevada, and this newsletter, for that matter, are all ways of documenting and sharing this wonderful journey of life and of helping others. I can honestly say that I am grateful to be able to share this journey with you.

So, this month of June, our journey began with our participation in the Veterans Stand Down, where we had the privilege of connecting with and supporting our brave service members. The sense of community and camaraderie was truly inspiring, yet the fact that we see so many warriors in need demonstrates that there is still a great amount of work that needs to be done.

Our team, Development Director Mr. Andrew Moran, and I had the honor of delivering a presentation regarding WestCare at the Las Vegas Rotary Club. It was a fantastic opportunity to share our history, vision, and guiding principles while exchanging ideas and strengthening our ties with the many influential community leaders who are also Rotary members.

We attended a Networking Charity Luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion, highlighting the incredible work being done to support those in need. The event showcased the power of a collective effort and the future looks bright in relation to the partnerships necessary to improve behavioral health services across the state.

WestCare Nevada Leadership participated in a leadership summit that provided us with fresh perspectives, innovative strategies, and invaluable team-building experiences. We're excited to bring these new insights back to our programs and continue moving the needle forward with renewed energy and purpose while Uplifting the Human Spirit.

In celebration of Pride Month, both clients and staff attended and enjoyed a vibrant and uplifting concert that reinforced our commitment to diversity and inclusion. It was a joyous occasion that brought together our community in the spirit of unity and pride.

At our Women and Children’s Campus, we also engaged in two separate meetings with mayoral candidates for the City of Las Vegas. These discussions were insightful and crucial for understanding the future direction of our city.

I want to thank you, our readers, for being part of our June journey. Make sure you stay tuned for more updates and stories in the coming months!

Leo Magrdichian, LCSW, LCADC, Vice President

w e s tcarenevada . c o m

A Celebration of Pride, Brotherhood, and Love with the Las Vegas Men’s Chorus

By Rhonda Davisson, Transitional and VA Programs Coordinator On Sunday, June 30, WestCare Nevada Community Action Council (CAC) member, Eric Endy, gifted the women and men of the Women and Children’s Campus and Harris Springs Ranch tickets to attend the Las Vegas Men’s Chorus’ (LVMC) “Color The World” concert.

With the gifted tickets, we were also able to bring a contingent of staff and members from our community partners from The Center! Ron Schnese, Linkage to Care Coordinate Lead of The Center, said: “This was the first time my family and I had ever seen the Las Vegas Men's Chorus. The show was amazing! The arrangement of songs was brilliant, and the vocal abilities of the chorus were sublime. We will definitely be returning and looking into season tickets, too. Run, don't walk to the next show! It is with great thanks to WestCare that we were able to attend this show, and we are hooked!”

We enjoyed an assortment of selections of music and dances from around the world, truly representing, "A colorful celebration of pride, brotherhood, and love.” Our clients who were able to attend enjoyed all the dancing and singing. For some, it was their first time seeing a concert like this. We are thankful to our CAC for this opportunity!

We are also excited the LVMC will be representing Las Vegas and Nevada at the LGBTQ Chorus Olympics in Minneapolis, MN in July.

Uplifting the Human Spirit with the Las Vegas Rotary

By Andrew Moran, Development Director Leo Magrdichian, WestCare Nevada’s Vice President of Operations and a passionate advocate for community support, delivered a speech at the historic Las Vegas Rotary Club lunch meeting.

The Las Vegas Rotary Club’s legacy is amazing. Established in 1923, they have a rich history of engagement and their core mission revolves around teaching youth the necessary skills for success through literacy, education, and life skills development.

Leo shed light on the impactful work being done by WestCare and highlighted not only the significance of WestCare’s mission but also explored the collaborative efforts between WestCare and the Las Vegas Rotary Club building a brighter future for our Nevada residents. Leo’s speech emphasized the remarkable work being carried out by WestCare and how we address the diverse needs of individuals and families, empowering them to overcome challenges and improve their quality of life.

westcarenevada.com

One recent key initiative he spoke about was “Suits for Success,” a business suit drive organized by the Las Vegas Rotary Club and WestCare Nevada for the Women and Children’s Campus. By recognizing the importance of professional attire in building self-confidence and opening doors to employment opportunities, we were able to gather 50 new suits for women in need. Each of them received a personalized note of compassion and hope within the community.

This speech served as a reminder of the power of collective activity and support. Leo’s call to action encouraged us to get involved and contribute to the ongoing efforts of our organizations as we continue to uplift and empower, creating a brighter future for all.

We Uplift the Human Spirit together.

Uplifting the Human Spirit

Cultivating Excellence: New Leadership Program Launches in Nevada Recently, it was announced that WestCare has established an Organizational and Leadership Development Department, spearheaded

by Rashieda Shabazz, formerly the Vice President of Human Resources and now the newly-appointed Vice President of Organizational and Leadership Development.

With over 25 years of experience in Human Services and Human Resources, Rashieda is passionate about the potential and development of people. Her deep commitment to organizational growth aims to enhance leadership potential and drive organizational success through creative and innovative training and development programs.

In June, Rashieda launched the first of her leadership sessions for the WestCare Nevada leadership staff, which included Vice President, Leo Magrdichian as well as the state’s directors and program managers. The Nevada team invested more than 12 hours in sessions covering topics such as Leadership Competencies and Application Assessment, Leadership 101, Effective Communication, and Performance Management.

“This isn’t a one-time event,” remarked Rashieda. “This will be a process of continuous and customized knowledge development and growth for all WestCare entities.”

Rashieda is working diligently to create an engaging environment which emphasizes application and not just the general knowledge of concepts learned.

This in-depth organizational and leadership development focus is the first of its kind for WestCare.

"It was truly a pleasure to participate in this leadership training,” said WestCare Nevada’s Vice President, Leo. “Spending time building relationships while focusing on our development as leaders has significantly increased our trust in each other as a team. It has also enhanced my ability to support them more effectively by understanding their leadership styles, values, and overall strengths. This training has the potential to impact our entire workplace culture.”

Next, Rashieda will be focusing on working with the Appalachia Region’s leaders at WestCare Georgia and subsequently expanding her efforts throughout WestCare.

Charity Luncheon with Nevada’s First Lady Donna Lombardo WestCare Nevada had the honor of being invited to and attending the Networking Charity Luncheon, hosted by First Lady Donna Lombardo, at the Governor's Mansion. Governor Joe Lombardo also attended the event, which was emceed by the First Lady’s daughter, Lacey Alderson, who, among other things, shared that she was a previous employee of WestCare Nevada.

The event united non-profit organizations, charitable foundations, and corporations to improve the connections and partnerships needed to improve behavioral health outcomes across the Silver State.

WestCare Nevada is grateful that we have a First Lady who is using her platform to benefit behavioral health for some of our most vulnerable citizens.

Thanks for the invite! @westcarenevada

Uplifting the Human Spirit Las Vegas Veterans Stand Down 2024

For the fourth year in a row, our Women and Children's Campus’ (WCC) Women Warriors Unit emergency housing program proudly participated in the Las Vegas Veterans Stand Down 2024.

With the goal to serve 500 Veterans and family members, there were over 200 volunteers serving as navigators to assist Veterans and over 100 community partners in attendance from various industries such as education, employment, legal services, and more. It is our honor to work with our community and make the commitment to ensure Veterans and their family members receive the services they need.

Visits from Mayoral Candidates

My Journey From Darkness to Light

By Allen Griffin, WestCare Nevada Alumni

Growing up in Monroe, Louisiana, my childhood was a mix of love and chaos. My parents were both in my life, but it was my mother who raised me. My father was what you might call a rolling stone, always drifting in and out of our lives. By the age of 15, I found myself drawn to the streets and the gang life. It seemed like an escape, a way to fill the void left by my father’s absence.

At 17, I started using PCP, and by my 20s, I had moved on to meth.

The drugs were a way to numb the pain and forget the struggles, but they only led me deeper into trouble. In 2014, I was caught in a family drug court case, and I knew I had hit rock bottom. Facing the judge, I pleaded to be sent to WestCare Nevada’s Harris Springs Ranch, a residential treatment program for men. I spent 90 days there learning to rebuild my life with new tools and a fresh perspective.

Coming out of Harris Springs Ranch, I was determined to change. I joined the NA fellowship and started following the program’s suggestions. The loss of my son to the streets in 2018 was a devastating blow, but instead of breaking me, it drove me deeper into the program. When my other son, "Lil Al," went to prison in 2021, I stayed strong, keeping my focus on recovery and the promises I had made to myself.

Today, I am a husband, a father to 12 wonderful kids, and a grandfather to eight beautiful grandchildren. My motto is simple: "Fear no man but God." It’s a reminder of the strength and courage it took to turn my life around. As a WestCare Nevada alumni member, I’ve had the honor of serving as both the Vice President and the President of the alumni, helping others find their way out of darkness.

In the lead-up to the June primary mayoral election, our WestCare Nevada staff and clients at the Women and Children’s Campus had the unique opportunity to host two of the leading candidates for mayor of the city, Shelley Berkeley (lower left) and Victoria Seamen (lower right). The visits were well received and the clients appreciated the opportunity to engage directly with the candidates, gaining insights into their priorities and plans. Many found the experience valuable in making an informed decision when they cast their votes in the primary and again in November.

Continue the journey online!

westcarenevada.com

My dream now is to take my family on a trip outside of the state to visit relatives we haven’t seen in years. It’s a small wish, but it represents everything I’ve fought for: family, unity, and the chance to make up for lost time. My journey from gang life and addiction to recovery and redemption is proof that no matter how far you fall, with faith and determination, you can rise again.

CLEAN AND SOBER SINCE

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

June 24, 2014

WestCare Nevada

westcarenevada.com

@westcarenevada

@westcarenevada