Homeless advocate honored as point of light

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004 | 8:20 a.m.

When former President George Bush first spoke of a thousand points of light spread like stars throughout the nation, he was speaking of volunteers such as Las Vegas homeless advocate Linda Lera-Randle El.

Lera-Randle El, who cruises the streets aiding the city's homeless in her own truck without pay, today was officially honored by the Washington-based Points of Light Foundation, founded by Bush.

The foundation, which mobilizes and promotes volunteers who aim to tackle local social problems, recognizes a new volunteer each day on its website, pointsoflight.org.

Lera-Randle El often helps meet the immediate needs of people on the street, bringing them food, water, and personal hygiene items. But she also takes them to appointments and helps them with complicated paperwork.

She follows up with people after she helps them find mental health counseling and transition housing. Three years ago she founded Straight from the Streets, a nonprofit organization.

Lera-Randle El was recognized by the foundation for a "street-wise, no-nonsense" approach developed over 20 years of working with the homeless.