Homeless Youth Crisis Gets Boost with Expansion of Services

Published on Mon, Aug 11, 2014 (2:42 p.m.)

Submitted by Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth

Aug. 11, 2014
CONTACT: Betsie Wolford, Purdue Marion & Associates
702-222-2362 (office), 702-956-2233 (cell) or [email protected]

* * * MEDIA ADVISORY * * *
HOMELESS YOUTH CRISIS GETS BOOST WITH EXPANSION OF SERVICES
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth Drop-In Center Breaks Ground with Foundation Pour

WHAT: In a rare partnership between three charitable organizations, members from Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Nevada Women’s Philanthropy and HomeAid Southern Nevada, along with community leaders, will pour the foundation of success on the new expansion for the NPHY Drop-In Center. The 2,600 square foot expansion is funded by a $350,000 grant from Nevada Women’s Philanthropy, and an in-kind construction donation of a minimum $175,000 from HomeAid Southern Nevada, and will allow NPHY the space to provide additional services to homeless youth.

WHY: Youth homelessness is a growing crisis in Nevada, which ranks near the top in the nation, according to the National Center on Family Homelessness. During the current school year, the Clark County School District reported more than 8,000 homeless in schools, a 21 percent increase over the previous school year. These figures are in stark contrast that with 2007-08, when 4,700 students were identified as homeless in the district. In addition, the National Runaway Switchboard reports that youth, ages 12 – 17, are at higher risk for homelessness than adults, nationwide.
WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Key times (approximate):
10:30 a.m. – Welcome and introductions
10:50 a.m. – Official Groundbreaking with participants pouring concrete
WHERE: Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth Drop-in center
4981 Shirley Street, Las Vegas, NV 89119
• From I-15 – Head east on Tropicana Ave., turn right on Shirley St.

WHO:
• Clark County Commissioner Mary Beth Scow
• Nevada State Senator Ruben Kihuen
• Arash Ghafoori, executive director, NPHY
• Kelly Peterson, president, Nevada Women’s Philanthropy
• Rocky Cochran, vice president of the Board of Directors, HomeAid Southern Nevada
• Giuseppe Pizano, former NPHY Youth
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