THE LOOP
Greetings from WestCare Nevada,
According to English-Word Information, Aprilis (April) is an ancient Roman month which was derived from the Latin verb Aperire, meaning “to open.” It is related to the opening or blossoming of trees and flowers, so in essence, this month has been viewed as Spring’s time of renewal.
For us at WestCare Nevada, we view behavioral health treatment the same way - as a time of hope, renewal, and new beginnings no matter the time of year. However, there is something special about being able to come together in outdoor settings and participate in outdoor events.
There is no doubt about the benefits associated with being outdoors. In fact, a study published on Healthline identified 8 health benefits of spending time outside. Those benefits included better breathing, improved sleep patterns, reduced depression, increased mental energy and motivation to exercise, and better immune health, vision, and emotional wellness.
In this issue, you will read how both March and April events have provided these benefits to our clients, their families, our employees, and community partners:
WestCare Nevada participated in the Spring into KFG event where other providers get together and celebrate the recovery community.
Our own WestCare Las Vegas Alumni Group held their annual Spring Fling event at both Harris Springs Ranch (HSR) and the Women and Children's Campus (WCC), and as you will see and read, it was an absolute success.
Several WestCare representatives were honored and privileged to attend the Las Vegas Rotary Club’s Centennial Celebration in Downtown Las Vegas.
For over 20 years and counting, Good Friday has been the day where our children at the WCC participate in an Easter egg hunt and this year, the event was expanded based on the wonderful contributions of our community partners. The Easter Bunny also showed up and brought smiles to everyone who attended.
Our Spiritual Care Chaplain Program (SCCP) hosted a Spiritual Care Easter event at HSR that included food and fun.
We hope and pray that you will enjoy what you read/see in this issue and that it will promote some of the same benefits that are associated with this time of year and with spending quality time outdoors.
A Message from the WestCare Las Vegas Alumni Group
By Alex C, Member, WestCare Las Vegas Alumni Group
Hello,mynameisAlexC.andIamaWestCareNevadaalumniandnowpartoftheWestCareLas VegasAlumniGroup.
Asanalumnus,IamsogratefultoWestCareforsavingmylifeandshowingmeanewwaytoliveby livingalifeofrecovery.
Iaminrecoveryrightnowandjustcelebrated15yearsofcleantime.Beingofserviceisoneofthe biggestreasonsI'mstillcleanandgivingbackwhatwassofreelygiven.Thatlessonwastaughttomeby othersintheAlumniGroupandthereasonwhyI'mwritingthis.
Thankyou,WestCareforlettinguscomethisApriltohaveourannualSpringFlingeventatHarris SpringsRanch(HSR)andtheWomen&Children'sCampus(WCC)Weloveshowingourpeerswho arecurrentlyintreatmentthatthereislife,love,andfunwithouttheuseofdrugs.Wehadcarneasada andpolloasadowithSpanishrice,pintobeans,andMexicansalsa.Welovespoilingtheclients.Soonce again,thankyouWestCareandourLasVegasAlumnifamilyforlettingmebeofservice!
Wealsolovehavingourfireworksbootheverysummerwhichiscomingup.Forthisevent,wegather donationsandusefundsraisedonourthreeannualalumnieventsthatwehosteveryyear,likethe SpringFling,togivebacktothosewhohavehelpedusonourjourney.
Easter Fun Made Possible Thanks to Many
By Rhonda Davisson, Transitional and VA Programs CoordinatorFor over 20 years, the women and children of our Women and Children’s Campus (WCC) have received a Good Friday Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by a wonderful anonymous donor. This year, the Easter Bunny made his annual appearance on Good Friday and left evidence of his visit by leaving our front lawn strewn with over 4,000 colorful eggs filled with sweet surprises for all!
Thank you to the Ninth Island Aunties, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, and The Raider Nation Wrecking Crew's Las Vegas chapter for bringing beautiful festive Easter baskets for the children. The men at Harris Spring Ranch (HSR) also had their third year of receiving Easter goodie bags! There was so much excitement and many smiles - making the day even better for all involved.
This year, we included an “After Egg Hunt” event for the women and children held in our Olive Garden. There were games, music, prizes with popcorn, cotton candy, sweet treats, and even more surprises. Most importantly, we had pictures with the Easter Bunny! We want to thank everyone, including staff and leadership, who made this event possible and came to support and share in the fun with our clients!
westcare.com
Las Vegas Rotary Club Celebrates its Centennial Anniversary
By Andrew Moran, Development Director
The Las Vegas Rotary Club had a wonderful celebration at the Historic Fifth Street School in Downtown Las Vegas as they celebrated their 100th year of service to the Las Vegas community on April 1, 2023 In attendance from WestCare to join the celebration were: Vice President of WestCare Nevada, Leo Magrdichian; Director of Residential Services, Irma Magrdichian; Chief Clinical Officer, Dr Jason Engle and his wife, Leah Engle; Vice President of Insurance, Josh Lopez and his wife, Naila Martinez; and myself and my wife, Yolanda Moran WestCare Nevada Community Action Council (CAC) members, Russel Swain and Kirk Holmes, also joined in the celebration
Four years ago, WestCare was the first corporate member in the Rotary Club’s long history and we were honored then as we are honored now to be part of this organization’s history - past, present, and future On this evening, we enjoyed dinner and laughs and great company It was an amazing time full of networking and comradery The 37th Lieutenant Governor of Nevada, Stavros Anthony, was one of two guest speakers alongside best-selling author, Jack Sheehan
The centennial anniversary celebrated their many years of civic and community service that has supported thousands of organizations in Las Vegas Since its inception, thousands of local Rotarians have combined efforts to improve the local community and help advance the lives of those in need and our most vulnerable As one of the only organizations that is supported solely through voluntary contributions from its members and partners, it has contributed millions of dollars in donations and service hours to the Las Vegas Valley and beyond Learn more about them by visiting www.lasvegasrotary.com
By Rhonda Davisson, Transitional and VA Programs Coordinator, Women and Children's Campus
HolyWeek Festivities at WestCare Nevada
By Ryan Creelman, Spiritual Director and Corporate Chaplain, Spiritual Care Chaplain Program (SCCP)
GreetingsfromtheSpiritualCareChaplainProgram(SCCP)andourSpiritual AlumniGrouphereinfabulousLasVegas,NV
I’dliketohighlightafewbeautiful expressionsofspiritbythecollectiveeffortofrecoveredandredeemedfolksactivein WestCareNevada’sprograms AnewpartnershipwithUnitedMovementOrganized Kindness(U.M.O.K.)bywayofagraduateofourmen’sresidentialprogramatHarris SpringsRanch(HSR)andtheSCCPprovideduswithanabundanceofplants, flowers,andsoiltocompletelybeautifytheWomen&Children'sCampus’(WCC) SpiritualSerenityGarden TheSpiritualAlumniGrouphostedtheirmonthlyleadership planningandtrainingluncheonandspenttheafternooncreatingafragrantand gorgeousenvironmentforthewomenandchildrentohealinpeaceandtranquility May GodcontinuetoblessourSpiritualAlumniaslivingexamplesofcompassionand service
Whetherit’sHolyweek,Easter,Passover,orResurrectionSunday-thissacredtimeof celebrationhasmanynamesanddegreesofimportancetoourdiversepersonsincare Butrestassured,ourSCCPteamofprofessionalsandSpiritualAlumniGroupdida fantasticjobofprovidingopportunitiesforeveryonetoparticipateandexpresswhy
Continue
thistimeofyearissacredtothem Startingw forLent,spiritualoutreachatcommunityeve esdayto PalmSunday,andofcourseEasterSunday-ourpersonsincarechallenged themselvesduringHolyWeektotakeonnewspiritualpracticesthatcanproducea greatersenseofmeaningandpurposeintheirlives Thesespecialtyservices, activities,andeventswereprovidedatallWestCareNevadalocations
TheEaster/ResurrectionSundayeventatHSRhostedbyourSCCPalumniwas enormousfun!Ourrecoveredandredeemedchef,Marel,slowcooked,pulled,and piledhighauthenticporktacoswithchips,homemade,salsa,andguacamoleforthe mentoenjoy ThemenalsoenjoyedanEasteregghuntandgamesthatincludeda spooneggraceandeggtossforprizes!Anine-memberSpiritualAlumniGrouppanel comprisedofmenandwomensharedwiththemenofHSRwhyspiritualityisthe primaryreasonwhytheyremainrecoveredandtheeffectivepracticesandservice projectsthattheydonatetheirtimeandresourcestoforcommunityconnectionand practicinglivingwithintention Aseasonofnewcreationandrebirthwasenjoyedby all!Get WestCare Nevada @westcarenevada
@westcarenevada
westcarenevada.com
