Group using $350,000 grant to expand center for homeless youth

By Paul Takahashi

Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013 | 2:55 p.m.

The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth plans to expand its facilities after winning a $350,000 grant from the Nevada Women’s Philanthropy last week.

The local nonprofit organization provides homeless teenagers with food, shelter and a place to do laundry and access a computer.

Over the next three years, the nonprofit will expand its William Fry drop-in center, located across the street from UNLV's Thomas and Mack Center, at 4981 Shirley Street.

“The homeless youth population has risen in Las Vegas. We desperately need more space to serve our homeless youth,” the partnership’s executive director, Arash Ghafoori, said. “We’re happy to be chosen. Now we can get moving on our plans.”

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth was among 41 organizations that applied for $380,000 in grant funding from the Nevada Women’s Philanthropy this year.

The philanthropy, which has granted more than $2.5 million to Southern Nevada nonprofits since 2006, sponsored two grants this year: a $350,000 first-place prize and a $30,000 Founder’s Grant for the runner-up.

The philanthropy’s 81 members each donated $5,000, which allows them a vote on which charities receive grants.

The nonprofit groups submitted extensive applications and project proposals, which were vetted by the philanthropy’s volunteer executive board and at an all-member presentation session earlier this month.

Nazanin Ford, the philanthropy’s 2013 president, said the charity looked for strong organizations working on projects that would make a difference in Southern Nevada. Both grant finalists this year were “worthy organizations” with “worthy projects,” Ford said.

“Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth showed us at every step of the way that they were a strong organization and that this was a sustainable project that will make a lasting impact on our community,” Ford said. “We’re very excited to see Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth get their new building.”

New Vista Ranch, an adult-care facility that works with people who have mental disabilities, won the Founder’s Grant.

The nonprofit is looking to create a clinic where physicians can work with patients with mental disabilities.

The Nevada Women’s Philanthropy’s past recipients include Goodwill Industries of Southern Nevada, Salvation Army of Southern Nevada, the Rape Crisis Center, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada, the Public Education Foundation and the Greater Las Vegas After-School All-Stars.