The Loop — Nevada (April 2026)

THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND NEVADA

APRIL 2026

ISSUE 47

Greetings from WestCare Nevada, Welcome back to The Loop! After a brief hiatus, we are excited to return with our January through April edition, highlighting the meaningful work, special moments, and continued growth taking place across our programs. This issue reflects the heart of our mission: connection, healing, community partnership, and hope.

In this edition, we share a special visit from Darren Waller, who hosted a yoga and meditation session with the women at the Women and Children’s Campus (WCC). His time with the participants offered encouragement, mindfulness, and inspiration. To make the experience even more memorable, Darren also presented each participant with a signed photograph from his time with the Las Vegas Raiders.

VOLUME 4

We are also excited to spotlight the generous Spiritual Garden donation and the renovation now underway at WCC, creating a peaceful and restorative space for reflection, prayer, and healing.

Additionally, this issue features the Rural MAT Mobile tour and a meaningful visit to the Women and Children’s Campus, further strengthening community awareness and support for the services being provided.

Thank you for rejoining us as we bring The Loop back. We look forward to sharing the stories, updates, and partnerships that continue to make a difference in the lives of those we serve.

Leo Magrdichian, LCSW, LCADC, Vice President

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Healing & Hope

WITH DARREN WALLER

Supporting Recovery Through Connection and Mindfulness

By Irma Magrdichian, Director of Residential Programs On April 6, 2026, NFL player Darren Waller visited the Women and Children’s Campus to spend meaningful time with the women and children participating in the program. During his visit, he joined residents in meditation and yoga activities focused on mindfulness, healing, and emotional wellness.

Waller shared words of encouragement and spoke openly about the importance of making time for self-care, maintaining balance, and learning healthy ways to manage emotions throughout the recovery journey. His message resonated deeply with many of the women, reinforcing the importance of mental and emotional wellness alongside personal growth and stability.

In addition to participating in the activities, Waller generously donated fresh flowers and yoga mats to the campus as a thoughtful gesture of support for recovery and wellness. The donations will help encourage ongoing mindfulness practices and provide residents with tools to continue focusing on self-care, reflection, and healing.

The visit created a positive and uplifting experience for both the women and children on campus, offering encouragement, connection, and a reminder that recovery is strengthened through compassion, community support, and moments of care.

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Uplifting the Human Spirit

DEVELOPMENT

& Partnerships City Council Visit Highlights Village Project Progress

Spiritual CORNER

Spiritual Garden Progressing

By Andrew Moran, Development Director

By Chaplain Ryan, Spiritual Care Director Nestled within the Women and Children’s Campus is a special place designed for quiet reflection, healing, and peace: the Spiritual Garden.

Created as a welcoming and restorative space, the garden offers residents a chance to pause, breathe, and reconnect with themselves during their recovery journey. Surrounded by flowers, greenery, trees, and peaceful pathways, the garden provides a calming environment where individuals can reflect, meditate, pray, journal, or simply sit quietly.

Recovery is not only physical and emotional. For many, it is also spiritual. At WestCare, spiritual care means creating safe and supportive spaces for individuals to explore hope, purpose, and personal growth.

For mothers, women, and families navigating recovery, moments of stillness can be incredibly powerful. The Spiritual Garden reminds residents that healing can happen in many forms.

Councilwoman Francis Allen-Palenske recently toured the Women & Children’s Campus and the future site of The Village in Las Vegas. During her visit, she met with Transitional Housing Director Rhonda Davison and learned more about the work being done to support women, children, and families on their journey toward stability and independence.

Through the Spiritual Care Chaplain Program, spaces like the Spiritual Garden help nurture the whole person by supporting reflection, connection, compassion, and hope along the path toward recovery and wellness.

Councilwoman Allen-Palenske praised The Village project for southern Nevada and expressed excitement about continued partnership opportunities with WestCare. The visit also included a fun stop in the campus commercial kitchen after the smell of Henry’s cooking caught everyone’s attention.

A longtime public servant and community advocate, Councilwoman AllenPalenske previously served in the Nevada Assembly and now represents Ward 4 on the Las Vegas City Council. Her visit highlighted the growing momentum behind the Women & Children’s Village project, which will provide transitional housing, supportive services, and opportunities for mothers and children working toward brighter futures.

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Uplifting the Human Spirit Supporting Fathers

By Lynandrea Glover, Program Manager, FORGE Connections has officially kicked off our first cohort of the FORGE Fatherhood Program!

Through this program, we’re doing more than offering hope and encouragement; we’re providing hands-on workshops that build skills for healthy relationships with children, significant others, family members, and the broader community.

And our support doesn’t stop when the workshops end. We continue walking alongside our participants by offering employment services, job readiness support, and guidance in reaching career goals. From resumes and referrals to meaningful connections and supportive services, we’re committed to helping fathers obtain and maintain employment.

We also provide wraparound support to help participants navigate challenges and barriers, ensuring they have the tools and resources needed to succeed.

We’re proud to support father figures as they grow, lead, and strengthen the connections that matter most.

Rural MAT Mobile

By Kaitlyn Hawkins, Marketing Specialist, NV

Progress is a journey, and Nevada continues taking important steps toward expanding access to care and recovery support across the state.

WestCare is proud to partner with CASAT at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Public Health through a mobile MedicationAssisted Treatment (MAT) unit serving rural Nevada communities. This partnership helps strengthen coordination of care under the Nevada Health Authority while improving access to critical services in underserved areas.

More than just a vehicle, this mobile outreach unit represents hope and support meeting people where they are. Community members can access recovery services, receive Narcan, and learn how to recognize and respond to an overdose.

Initiatives like this reinforce a shared commitment to supporting rural communities and ensuring individuals and families know that help is available. While the road to recovery can be challenging, partnerships like these continue building a healthier and more hopeful future for Nevada.

Continue the journey online!

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WestCare Nevada @westcarenevada

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