The Loop - Nevada (June 2023)

THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND NEVADA

JUNE 2023

ISSUE 27

VOLUME 3

Greetings from WestCare Nevada, Since there are so many things going on in WestCare Nevada and the community at large, it makes sense that in this issue of the Loop, we catch up on the remaining events from May before this month of June. The fact is, with so many dynamic individuals and organizations that remain ready and willing to serve this community, we sometimes have too much content for each month’s issue. In this case, it was the team at Realty One Group and Las Vegas Raider defensive end, Mr. Maxx Crosby, both of which, came to one of our programs or put on an event elsewhere where some of our team and clients attended.

we have placed a great deal of time and effort into the services WestCare Nevada provides for fathers and father figures, and that focus and commitment to men will continue to expand under my watch. Positively impacting our men in treatment will not only improve their lives, but will also impact generations to come.

The City of North Las Vegas is another entity making a tremendous difference. Based on the overall focus and leadership of Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown, and the Community Services Specialist, Jurea Williams, at the North Las Vegas Community Corrections Center. Providing services, including treatment, both within the jail and post-release not only improves the lives of some of our most vulnerable, but it also positively impacts the entire community, and the I Am Possible program graduations prove it.

It is in our hopes and prayers that you enjoy this issue of the Loop and become inspired by the hard work and dedication demonstrated by so many, as we continue the goal of Uplifting the Human Spirit here in Nevada.

We focus on ensuring that whether the father is in the home or not they remain a positive influence, supporting the growth and nurturing of their children and grandchildren.

Leo Magrdichian, LCSW, LCADC, Vice President

WestCare Nevada fully supported celebrations correlated to Pride Month and Juneteenth, and there are articles included in this issue regarding the importance and meaning of both to our staff and clients.

Harris Springs Ranch celebrated Father’s Day with help from our Connections Fatherhood FIRE program staff, and the impact of that event is evident in what you will see and read. For several years now,

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WestCare Nevada Celebrates Eighth I Am Possible Graduation

By Candice Hill, Counselor, WestCare Nevada I Am Possible Project Director, Jurea Williams and myself recently had the pleasure of graduating our eighth class that represented five women after completing 35 days of residential treatment programming while incarcerated in the North Las Vegas Community Correctional Center (NLVCCC).

The I Am Possible program consists of daily workouts, group therapy, informational sessions regarding community resources, employment training, financial literacy, individual therapy, and Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT). These five individuals displayed passion for change by dedicating their time in trusting the process and gaining sobriety, self-identity, self-worth, and purpose upon completion of the program. The ceremony expressed gratitude for our graduates who challenged themselves based on three key principles that were taught in the program: practicing rigorous authenticity, surrendering to the outcome, and doing uncomfortable work.

The graduates were recognized by Congressman Steven Horseford and Jordan Karst from Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow (FIT), who congratulated them on this achievement. These women were awarded the opportunity to share this moment with their families, community partners, NLVCCC staff, and city officials who witnessed and celebrated them crossing the finish line.

Realty One Volunteers at WestCare Nevada’s Women and Children’s Campus

By Andrew Moran, Development Director, WestCare Foundation

On May 1, 2023, Realty ONE Group had its 18th birthday and they celebrated by giving back! On this day alone, the company of 17,000 employees logged 10,000 volunteer hours and contributed an estimated $300,000 to charitable organizations around the world. This was made possible through Realty ONE’s 501©3 arm, One Cares, in which the organization gives hundreds of thousands of hours, in-kind donations, monetary donations, and gifts to charities and nonprofit organizations, both large and small.

WestCare Nevada’s Women and Children’s Campus (WCC), for the third year in a row, was honored to be the recipient of the Nevada Chapter of Realtors from the Realty ONE Group. 20 agents including Office Administrator Mackenzie Hopson and Owner and Managing Broker Joel Hess joined together at the WCC for a volunteer project.

WestCare Vice President of Insurance Josh Lopez and WestCare Nevada Transitional Coordinator Rhonda Davisson assisted the Realty One group as they completely revamped the WCC on Rancho Road. They absolutely beautified the entire building and landscaping. The volunteers painted, scraped, mopped, pulled weeds, and cleaned up everything, so our clients and their children could have a safe and beautiful place to call home while they are with us. We are so thankful for this act of generosity!

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Uplifting the Human Spirit What Is Juneteenth?

By Gardis L. Canty, Director of Community Behavioral Health Services Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. When Maj. Gen. Gordon Granger issued the above order, he had no idea that, in establishing the Union Army’s authority over the people of Texas, he was also establishing the basis for a holiday, “Juneteenth,” (“June” plus “nineteenth”) known today as the most popular annual celebration of emancipation from slavery in the United States. After all, by the time Granger assumed command of the Department of Texas, the Confederate capital in Richmond had fallen, the “Executive” to whom he referred, President Lincoln, was dead, and the 13th Amendment abolishing slavery was well on its way to ratification.

But, Granger wasn’t just a few months late. The Emancipation Proclamation itself, ending slavery in the Confederacy, (at least on paper) had taken effect two-and-a-half years before and in the interim, close to 200,000 black men had enlisted in the fight.

From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day has spread across the United States and beyond.

Today, Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement. It is a day, a week, and in some areas, a month marked with celebrations, guest speakers, picnics, and family gatherings. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing. It is a time for assessment, selfimprovement, and for planning the future. Its growing popularity signifies a level of maturity and dignity in America that is long overdue.

WestCare respects and acknowledges the celebration of Juneteenth and its representation of independence for Black people and since its recognition as a federal holiday in June 2021, the holiday – as well as its flag – have ignited conversations surrounding how people celebrate it. For over four decades, we have dedicated ourselves to our well-known motto, Uplifting the Human Spirit. We are committed to that lofty mission for individuals, families, communities... and for all of mankind.

Celebration of Pride

By Brent Tyler, Case Manager, Community Triage Center

Pride Month is a global celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture and history. It is a time to honor and support the LGBTQIA+ community and their rights, as well as to raise awareness and advocate for social justice. Pride Month has its origins in the Stonewall uprising of 1969, which sparked the modern gay rights movement. The Stonewall uprising was a series of protests and clashes between LGBTQIA+ people and the police that took place outside the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City. The uprising was triggered by a police raid on the bar on June 28, 1969, which was one of many raids that targeted LGBTQIA+ establishments at the time. The LGBTQIA+ community, who faced widespread discrimination and harassment, fought back against the police brutality and injustice. The uprising lasted for six days and drew thousands of supporters and activists.

Pride Month has evolved over the years to reflect the diversity and solidarity of the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies. The Stonewall uprising inspired many LGBTQIA+ people and organizations to become more vocal and visible in their struggle for equality and recognition. On the first anniversary of the uprising, June 28, 1970, the first Pride parades were held in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago. These parades were meant to commemorate the uprising and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. The parades soon spread to other cities and countries and became an annual tradition that continues to this day.

The gay flag, also known as the rainbow flag or the pride flag, is a symbol of LGBTQIA+ pride and diversity. The colors of the flag have different meanings, depending on the version of the flag. The most common version has six colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. According to the original creator of the flag, Gilbert Baker, these colors represent: Red: Life

Orange: Healing

Yellow: Sunlight

Green: Nature

Blue: Harmony

Purple: Spirit

There are also other versions of the gay flag that include more colors or symbols to represent specific groups or identities within the LGBTQIA+ community. For example, some flags have black and brown stripes to represent people of color, or pink, blue, and white stripes to represent transgender people. Some flags also have a chevron shape or a triangle shape to symbolize progress or solidarity. The pink triangle, which is a symbol of LGBTQIA+ resistance and solidarity was originally used by the Nazis to mark gay prisoners in concentration camps, but it was reclaimed by the LGBTQIA+ movement in the 1970s as a sign of defiance and pride.

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Uplifting the Human Spirit Father's Day at Harris Springs Ranch

By Edgar Salcido, Program Director of Harris Springs Ranch, WestCare Nevada

The Father’s Day event at Harris Springs Ranch was a great event that had each client in treatment participating in the events that were presented during the day. The day started with a friendly competition of three-point shots between the clients until a winner was determined. This was followed by carne asada off of the grill that was made by the cook along with the help of the clients. Ms. Maria, the cook, and her kitchen crew did a great job with the carne asada, frijoles charros, and different kinds of salsa.

Clients who participated in the talent show were able to display their talents that have been hidden during their time in treatment. The talent show that followed lunch consisted of clients singing, dancing, and performing comedy stand ups. The clients then participated in a poem contest that was geared towards being a father. The emotions and experiences, positive and negative, were felt by the audience as the clients shared their poems and expressed what they have been feeling.

The overall event was a great event where all the men at Harris Springs Ranch were able to enjoy the friendly competition and experience having fun while being sober.

The clients and staff were very thankful to the connections staff and everyone from the other WestCare facilities in Nevada who came up to the mountain to support the men during their Father’s Day celebration. Below are a few words we would like to share from our clients about this experience: “It was a great experience that commemorated Father’s Day in a sober environment.

It was awesome and beneficial to me as a father. It was the best Father’s Day I have had in many years” - Peter T., Client “It was the first Father’s Day that I was able to experience with so many different fathers, uncles, and everyone coming together to make it special. It was amazing. I felt comfortable, and I was able to be myself. It was the best Father’s Day in a long time.” - Jose L., Client

A Message of Hope and Promise of Freedom

By Brody Santini, CADC- I, Clinical Manager, Harris Springs Ranch

On May 30, There is No Hero in Heroin (TINHIH) invited the men from Harris Springs Ranch to hear Maxx Cosby’s story of recovery. Maxx Cosby, the defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders, shared his personal story of recovery and offered insights into his journey and the freedom he has found through it. There was an opportunity for our clients to ask questions about their own recovery and receive advice from Maxx on a peer-to-peer level.

The atmosphere was filled with hope and laughter as everyone came together to support one another in their recovery journeys. In addition to the uplifting conversations and shared experiences, the attendees were also treated to delicious food provided by Hussong's Cantina. The clients stated that this event had a profound impact on their recovery, as it provided a real-life example of success and offered a sense of community and support. Thank you to all our community partners for making this event possible!

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