THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND NEVADA
NOVEMBER 2023
ISSUE 32
VOLUME 3
Greetings from WestCare Nevada, It’s that time again, and I am extremely happy to share with you the stories associated with WestCare Nevada in our newest issue of the WestCare Nevada Loop Newsletter. However, before you read or see any of the items in this issue, let me tell you why I am extremely happy about introducing you to this content. It is because we are now witnessing what I consider to be a Recovery Movement that is taking place within this strong and robust recovery community here in Las Vegas. It is a movement of mutual support, understanding, and even accountability. It is a movement of positive role models who are providing a safe and judgment-free environment where individuals and groups can come together, combat isolation, and offer anyone and everyone the opportunity to belong to something bigger than themselves. It is a movement that shares information and resources while offering activities that help us all develop the life skills we need for continued growth and for rebuilding strong and healthy relationships with those around us. It is a movement that allows for the formation of a positive social network that contributes to the overall well-being of all involved while continuing the process of breaking down silos, reducing stigma, and producing positive outcomes that raise the bottom - benefiting the entire community we live in. In this issue, we have the following stories: Recovery Community Trunk-or-Treat event at the Women and Children’s Campus Members of the Multi-Agency Outreach Resource Engagement (MORE) Team being recognized at the Las Vegas City Council meeting
The Nevada Housing Conference event held at the Circa Hotel and Casino Our involvement with the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational in Las Vegas Clergy Appreciation Month Harvest Blessings and Beautification of the WCC‘s Spiritual Garden Introduction of our new Facilities Supervisor, Mr. Scott Alexander There is only one thing left for me to say and one question I will leave you with in relation to this movement, and it coincides with the latter portion of our House Philosophy that is recited daily within our Therapeutic Communities by the clients within our care. It states, “…Join us, join our struggle for selfrecognition. We have the knowledge and the means to share with all who seek harmony with their nature.” So, if you haven’t joined this movement, my only question is, what are you waiting for?
Leo Magrdichian, LCSW, LCADC, Vice President
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Trunk-or-Treat By Rhonda Davisson, Transitional and VA Programs Coordinator On October 30, WestCare Nevada leadership and staff joined with our community partners at KFG to present the fourth annual and epic Trunk-or-Treat at our Women and Children’s Campus! Over 40 community partners participated with festively decorated trunks. Food, music, games and fellowship were held for an estimated 500+ visitors from our recovery community and the community at large! Here are some quotes from our community partners who participated: Robert B. - “Watching our community come together to put this event on was and will always be a gift. The journey to the event and all the people who participated in making it what it was is a big part of the blessing. When I'm in large groups of our people celebrating, I often think about the amount of grace that it took and takes for all of us to be in the same place experiencing it together in spite of all that we have each done throughout our lives. It can only be something bigger than us at work. We've come a long way, but as I'm often reminded by my mentors, the work is never done and we are just getting started.” Salina L. - “It was one for the books!!!! It makes my heart happy to see us all come together! All from different walks of life, but coming together for one purpose - it’s a beautiful thing!” Marcie D. - “There was so much love, light, and a sense of family last night. To me, it felt like we all belong together to carry a message of hope and show the newcomers that we can have fun in recovery. My favorite Trunk-or-Treat yet. Thank you to everyone who helped organize and participated in the event.” Brian P. - “The best Trunk-or-Treat event of all time. The vibe was so cohesive. You could feel the "togetherness" of the Las Vegas recovery community. There are so many people to thank from the home group and its people of KFG, to Leo Magrdichian and the WestCare team, to all the trunks that brought the treats, the kids, their families, the games, and the show stoppers. All of it was amazing.”
Thank you to all of our participating community partners and vendors: ADC, BHG, Chicanos Por La Causa, Crafty Nannylv, CrossRoads of Southern Nevada, Davis House, Desert Reys, Dopest Souls, DWSS, Evol Art, Fawn House, Fearless Kind, Foundation For Recovery, Freedom House, His Works, Homeless Alliance, Hope For Prisoners, HPN, JDC, Judah Recovery, Kathleen Q, Kurt Turner, LIMA, Lisa Trevino-MS, Naples, Neslted Recovery, Nick’s House, PITA, Probation, Rainbow House, Sam House, Shade Tree, Shine, Sin City Tribe, Stargels, Strong Minds, The Center, Thurman, TINHIH, Tonis Those, V’s Customs, Virtue, Vogue, Wecare, WestCare Nevada Alumni, WestCare Nevada Spiritual Care Chaplain Program
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Uplifting the Human Spirit Harvest Blessings and Beautification
The 2023 OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational By Sashia Whitmire, Program Supervisor, Men’s Transitional Housing/MORE Team Street Outreach It was an exciting weekend here in Las Vegas as many motorists from the Ultimate Street Car Association (USCA), sponsored by Optima Batteries, came from all over the country to compete in this year’s installment of the OPTIMA Ultimate Street Car Invitational. Beginning at the SEMA Show on October 31 through November 4, 2023, drivers competed in different categories such as Design and Engineering, Peak Performance Challenge, Autocross, and Hot Lap. The event was broadcast on the MAVtv Motorsports Network. All proceeds taken in at the gate fee were to benefit WestCare’s vulnerable clients. Many items, such as canned foods, clothing items, and cash donations were generously given by many drivers and spectators. A total of $825.00 was raised from the event! This was the fourth year in a row that WestCare has been nominated as the charity by the USCA. WestCare graciously thanks the Ultimate Street Car Association for their support and consideration!
By Ryan Michael Creelman, Director of Spiritual Care, WestCare Foundation
The Spiritual Aftercare Fellowship hosted and led a harvest autumn blessing beautification project in the Serenity Garden at the Women and Children’s Campus. The event also included a professional-grade backdrop for family pictures. We planted 75 new flowering plants and campaigned for 60 pumpkin donations from our community faith partners.
Pastor/Clergy Appreciation Month By Ryan Michael Creelman, Director of Spiritual Care, WestCare Foundation October is an opportunity to honor all pastors, priests, reverends, ministers, chaplains, and other clergy members as part of National Clergy Appreciation Month. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the estimated number of employed clergy in the U.S. is 50,790. WestCare Chaplaincy, The Spiritual Care Chaplain Program (SCCP), and WestCare’s National Spiritual Committee honored our staff, professional clergy, and volunteering partners by highlighting each clergy person serving in our Spiritual Program, committee, and services. WestCare has 30 active clergies in weekly operations in our Nevada and Florida operations. Please join us in celebrating a few of our servants’ heart heroes! Photos from left to right: Sr. Ch. Ryan Michael Creelman, Director of Spiritual Care, WestCare Foundation Sr. Pastor Ruben Cruz, Contract Chaplain/ Operations Lead, WestCare Florida Pastor John Smith, Biblical Studies, WestCare Nevada, Sr. Ch. Karen Atlantic, Chaplaincy Nevada Lead, WestCare Nevada Chaplain Ron Russel, Biblical Studies, WestCare Nevada Chaplain Alan Bjork, Celebrate Recovery NV. State Rep., WestCare Nevada Sister Paulette Musselman, Valuable You Women’s Integrity, WestCare Nevada Chaplain Anna Younghans, Holy Yoga Instructor, WestCare Nevada Dr. Monique Ray, Clinical Chaplain Grief & Loss Specialist, WestCare Nevada
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Uplifting the Human Spirit
Our Destination: Affordable Housing
Well-Deserved Recognition By Sashia Whitmire, Program Supervisor, Men’s Transitional Housing/MORE Team Street Outreach On November 1st, 2023, during the Las Vegas City Council Meeting at City Hall, case managers from the M.O.R.E. (Multi-Agency Outreach Resource Engagement) Team were honored by receiving awards of recognition from the Mayor of Las Vegas, Carolyn G. Goodman. The M.O.R.E. Team is comprised of outreach workers from community partner agencies such as WestCare, Salvation Army, the City’s Marshall Police Officers, and Las Vegas Metro Officers. The Team’s focus is to provide immediate resources and referrals to those persons who are homeless and living in places not suitable for human habitation. Staff members conduct thousands of assessments throughout the week and provide basic resources like water, food, clothing, or transportation to the participants willing to accept services. The M.O.R.E Team serves not only the participants but the Las Vegas Community as well. They conduct safety clean-ups and assistance for missing persons, such as juvenile runaways who may be hiding out in the city tunnels or homeless encampment sites. We provide and offer hope to those struggling and who may not be able to obtain services without the help of these staff members. It was a huge honor to be a part of this great recognition made by our City’s Mayor and all councilmen. WestCare congratulates the M.O.R.E Team for their successes and their efforts in supporting the men and women who need their support.
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WestCare has been a part of the Nevada Housing Coalition since its inception and was one of the first members when it began four years ago. Christine Hess, the Executive Director, has now moved over to CFO of the Housing Division in Nevada, with Maurice Page now residing in her former position. Through our partnership, we have received funding through the coalition for our much-needed Women and Children’s Village expansion. With their generosity and amazing support, we will soon be able to break ground on the 84 apartments early next year in 2024! The conference was a star-studded couple of days with politicians, plenaries, special appearance speakers, and even “Elvis” showed up to show his support for affordable housing! Mayor Goodman, Senator Cortez Masto, and Treasurer Conine were all in attendance with one goal: To get funding to build affordable housing.
Facility Operations Supervisor: Scott Alexander! Scott joins our WestCare Nevada team following a brief retirement after working 30 years with the Nevada Department of Corrections. He brings 22 years of facility supervisor experience from the Department of Corrections' largest facility, High Desert State Prison, a 4,000-bed, 970,000-square-foot commercial facility. His experience coordinating large construction and renovation projects is complemented by his ability to supervise multiple skilled tradesmen and contract services.
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By Andrew Moran, Development Director, WestCare Foundation WestCare Nevada’s Vice President, Leo Magridichian, and Development Director, Andrew Moran, participated in the annual Nevada Housing Conference, hosted by the Nevada Housing Coalition, in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada. This year's theme was Destination: Affordable Housing, and their mission is to create sustainable solutions through community awareness, capacity building, and advocacy to ensure housing options for all Nevadans. This annual conference is an ode to helping people get a roof over their heads with dignity.
Scott strives to enhance work order programs and improve facility environment and safety. Another goal is to reduce facility operation costs through energy reduction, reduced maintenance with increased preventive maintenance, and streamlining contractor services through better-trained staff. We have no doubt he will impact our team and facilities, helping us to continue our mission to Uplift the Human Spirit.
Continue the journey online!
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