Las Vegas developer commended for charity’s work

Wednesday, June 22, 2005 | 9:10 a.m.

The Clark County Commission on Tuesday commended a prominent Las Vegas developer for his charity's work with teens transitioning out of the county's foster care system.

John Ritter, CEO of Focus Property Group and head of the Ritter Charitable Trust, and partner Hilary Westrom compiled a collection of what they called "life skills" meant to help those teens who, once they reach 18 years old, are often "thrown out with a garbage bag of their meager belongings" with little financial or emotional help, Westrom said.

The book, titled "Into the World" is part of the trust's ongoing effort to help those displaced find jobs and stay off the streets, she said. It's not meant as a solution, but as a "Band-Aid" to a long-standing gap in the foster care system, Westrom added.

Of the 20,000 people who have exited the system here, Westrom estimated that one-fourth end up homeless and two-thirds stay unemployed while only 20 percent become completely self-supporting.

"Transitioning into adulthood is a challenge for every youth, even those from the best of circumstances," she said. "We know we can and we should do better for these youth."

Commissioner Lynette Boggs McDonald, echoing a public relations push for more adoption, praised the charity as part of a "corporate citizen doing its part."

The county in May launched an effort to step up adoption, bringing in gaming giant MGM MIRAGE and several local religious leaders to end what officials have called "a crisis."