Nevada Women's Philanthropy
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Projects Supported by the Nevada Women's Philanthropy
Year 2009
The recipient of the Nevada Women's Philanthropy's 4th annual grant is Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (LACSN). LACSN will receive $325,000 over three years to fund one new attorney within the Children's Attorneys Project (CAP) Foster Care Early Intervention Program. This new program seeks to represent children from the first day they are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect.
"Since we launched the CAP Early Intervention Program several months ago, we have already seen the dramatic difference it makes for children to have their voices heard in court," said Barbara Buckley, executive director of LACSN. "It gives them back a sense dignity and control over their own lives. It also prevents them from languishing in the system for months or even years without receiving the services that they deserve."
"This generous grant from the Nevada Women's Philanthropy will enable us to serve an additional 400 young people over the next three years," Buckley said "With our current resources, we were only able to serve about half of the children in foster care. This important funding takes us a step closer to serving every child who needs us."
Year 2008
The Nevada Women's Philanthropy awarded its third annual grant in the amount of $450,000 to The Public Education Foundation's Empowerment School program. The NWP also awarded a Founders' Grant of $30,000 to the runner-up, Nathan Adelson Hospice.
NWP's will become a community partner for three Empowerment Schools within the Clark County School District (CCSD). Empowerment Schools are a public school model designed to replicate national research-based best practices and increase student achievement. In these schools, the leadership is given autonomy to determine the best direction of its resources including staff development, finances, schedule, classroom materials and instruction. A pilot program consisting of four schools began in 2006. The CCSD currently has 14 Empowerment Schools. Empowerment School test scores have increased dramatically over the last three years.
"We are proud to receive this grant from Nevada Women's Philanthropy," Judi Steele, president and chief professional officer of The Public Education Foundation, said. "During these critical economic times, this significant award allows us to expand the Empowerment Schools initiative. Clark County's empowerment model is demonstrating results and holds the promise of transforming our schools in a meaningful and lasting way. We greatly appreciate the generosity of and partnership with Nevada Women's Philanthropy. Together, we are making the difference for our public school children."
Year 2007
The Nevada Women's Philanthropy awarded the Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars its second annual grant in the amount of $320,000. The runner-up, Boys Town Nevada, received an unrestricted grant of $30,000.
The After-School All-Stars grant will be used to fund after school programs and technology labs at Dr. C. Owen Roundy Elementary School in Las Vegas. Currently, the After-School All-Stars serve over 125 students daily at Roundy Elementary School. The Nevada Women's Philanthropy grant will enable the After-School All-Stars to serve more students and offer more programs at Roundy Elementary School. Additionally, the technology labs will enhance the students' learning experience. Jackie Locks, Executive Director at After-School All-Stars, said, "We are so thankful to the Nevada Women's Philanthropy group for helping us secure programming for the students at Roundy Elementary School. "This grant will enable us to offer more after school programs to more students."
The Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars provide opportunities for underprivileged youth to participate in after-school and summer activities in sports, educational, cultural and enrichment programs that are free to all participants. The After-School All-Stars encourage kids to build confidence and self-esteem and to say "no" to gangs, drugs, and violence, and "yes" to hope, learning, and life. The Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars mission is to provide comprehensive out-of-school programs that keep children safe and help them achieve in school and in life.
The agency serves 6,000 students at 15 schools in the Las Vegas area. Programs include: soccer, arts and crafts, dance, music, media, homework help, tutoring, language skills, swimming, cooking, computers, Mad Science, chess, creative writing, literacy programs, bowling, Lifetime Adventures and other recreational and educational activities. Since its inception, The Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Star program has positively affected the lives of more than 100,000 Southern Nevada youth.
Year 2006
The first grant of the Nevada Women's Philanthropy was awarded to FIT for an Independent Tomorrow. The grant funds the Nevada Women's Philanthropy Employment Project (NWPEP), a comprehensive job assistance and placement program for unemployed and underemployed people.
The grant of $180,000 establishes a new employment project and builds a permanent Nevada Women's Philanthropy Employment Project (NWPEP) library within FIT's facility that is under construction in West Las Vegas. NWPEP assists underemployed and unemployed Nevadans to find successful jobs. This innovative program is unique in Southern Nevada for its approach to helping people who, because of personal and professional employment barriers, cannot find work that pays a self sufficient wage. The goal of the program is to identify these barriers such as lack of job search skills, workplace readiness, childcare and transportation, and provide the necessary support to clients to overcome these obstacles while assisting in their job search.
Janet Blumen, Chairman of FIT for an Independent Tomorrow, said, "NWPEP is different from the typical employment agency. The project not only helps the client find an employment opportunity, but also helps clients identify and overcome the issues and barriers beyond simple training that might otherwise prevent them from getting and keeping that self-sufficient job."
