IGT comes to rescue of Project Youth

Andy Holtmann

Wednesday, June 4, 1997 | 10:33 a.m.

International Game Technology, a video poker and slot machine company, has given a boost to a Las Vegas youth program by donating equipment to replace what was stolen earlier this year.

On Feb. 21, the offices of Project Youth, a nonprofit program aimed at keeping kids out of trouble, were broken into and relieved of thousands of dollars in computer and office equipment. None of the stolen items was insured and the organization almost had to shut its doors.

Michele Masse, IGT spokeswoman, heard about the break-in on a local news station and wanted to help. She alerted her superiors of the incident and asked if there was anything that could be done.

Her superior in the public relations department, Rick Sorenson, took up the task of collecting new and used equipment that could be donated to Project Youth.

On Tuesday, two fax machines and two copiers arrived at Project Youth's offices at 1201 W. Miller St.

"It's one of the nicest things that anyone can do," said Project Youth Director Rena Smith.

IGT also has plans to donate four computers to Project Youth in the near future.

The equipment that was taken was essentially the lifeline of the organization. Without the computers, Smith and her staff were not able to run after-school tutorial classes. The heist also severely limited day-to-day functions.

Smith explained that Project Youth was created to help steer "high-risk" kids away from crime and into education. They were taught job-hunting skills and how to improve their education. Counseling was offered to deal with teenage problems and violence.

"We have turned a lot of kids around," Smith said. "We hope to give them the skills to succeed. It is hard to measure our success because more and more we seem to be fighting a losing battle."

Overnight break-ins and an already low operating budget did not help matters.

According to Smith, the program operates with volunteers and a $9,000 budget for the 1997-98 fiscal year.

"There is a possibility that we may still have to close," Smith said. "You cannot run an organization like this on a $9,000 budget. That is why none of our previous equipment was insured. We just couldn't afford it."

Everything that the program has had to work with has been donated. The kids have tried fund-raisers such as bake sales and garage sales, but they don't draw enough money to operate to the best of their potential.

"I think it is a good organization," Masse said. "I felt like this is one that was deserving of help and so did IGT."

Since the break-in, Project Youth has installed barred windows and safety glass to try to prevent another burglary. Smith said she also is looking into having the equipment IGT donated insured.