THE LOOP A COLLECTION OF STORIES FROM AROUND NEVADA
OCTOBER 2023
ISSUE 31
Greetings from WestCare Nevada, The October issue of the Loop is all about catching you up on the latter part of September and the beginning of October. The funny thing is, I generally referred to staying busy as a way of staying out of trouble; however, with so many things going on in and around WestCare Nevada, I cannot help but ponder the other benefits associated with activity and engagement. First, keeping ourselves active mentally with meaningful activities improves our mental well-being by reducing stress and anxiety. You see, having less time to dwell on negative thoughts or worries keeps us focused on the positive things life offers. Second, being busy provides us time to spend with others within our WestCare family and our community at large. Social interaction and community connection lead to the development of healthy support, a sense of belonging, and, again, improving our overall well-being. Third, as we navigate through activities and events, those involved can experience a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and a boost in self-esteem - all while reducing boredom and the negative emotions that come with it.
VOLUME 3
Employees of WestCare Nevada and WestCare Foundation participating in the Las Vegas Rotary Club Putting Tournament. (Did I mention how physical activity has numerous health benefits that include cardiovascular health?) In commemorating National Suicide Prevention Month, WestCare was able to partner with suicide awareness and prevention advocate Mr. Kevin Hines, who became an advocate after surviving his attempt at suicide by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. World Recovery Day was celebrated by a Fashion Show at our Women and Children Campus. Lastly, in this issue, you will read about WCNV’s participation in the Recovery Village at Las Vegas PRIDE event. WestCare Nevada remains committed to remaining active, engaged, and focused on the task at hand, which is to continue Uplifting the Human Spirit as we have done successfully in the State of Nevada for 50 years. With over 100 staff and over 300 passionate and actively participating Alumni members, we strive to model the excellence and balance of life to those we have been serving and will continue to serve.
Now, of course, balance is also a key component to overall well-being, yet when managed successfully, our busy lifestyle can help us appreciate leisure time more and assist us in maintaining a well-rounded lifestyle - something we need for ourselves and to also model for those that we have dedicated our lives to guiding. In this issue of the Loop, we have the following stories: WestCare employees attending and participating (between innings) in a Las Vegas Aviators baseball game.
Leo Magrdichian, LCSW, LCADC, Vice President
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National Suicide Prevention Month with Kevin Hines By Jennifer Hilton, Director of Training and Technology, WestCare Foundation
We were also able to livestream for over eight hours via YouTube to thousands of individuals worldwide - celebrating recovery for many who come from various backgrounds and experiences and creating connection and hope through action. WestCare Foundation’s Director of Training, Jennifer Hilton, ran the live-streaming all day, hosting interviews, catching book signings, moderating Q&A segments for p, and stepping in for Kevin when he needed to head out. Special thanks to OSP – for planning the event, NCSP- for helping with food and registration, WestCare Foundation – for providing Zoom Event services and making the livestream possible. Without these vital individuals, this AMAZING event would not have been possible!
Did you know that September was National Suicide Prevention Month? Did you also know that suicide is the second leading cause of death for 18 to 34 years in the United States or that someone dies of suicide worldwide on average every 40 seconds? Suicide awareness, prevention, and mental health recovery are part of what WestCare does in Uplifting the Human Spirit. This month, WestCare was able to partner with an internal suicide awareness and For a peek back at the event, you can visit Kevin Hines’ YouTube channel and to learn prevention advocate, Kevin Hines. Kevin became an advocate after surviving more about his mission, please visit his official site at kevinhinesstory.com his attempt at suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge 23 years ago on September 25. Now living in recovery, Kevin and his wife, Margaret, have dedicated their lives to suicide prevention and global mental health for the past 23 years delivering messages of healing, finding hope, and that living in recovery is possible. To celebrate this upcoming anniversary three weeks ago, Kevin started calling around in the suicide prevention world and asked who could help him put together a full-day summit for September 25. A tall order, for sure! Of the calls he made, the advocates and passionate individuals in Southern Nevada rose to the occasion. The Office of Suicide Prevention (OSP) led the planning charge with support from WestCare and the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention (NCSP). We were able to plan and pull off this free event for over 150 individuals in person, with the first 100 getting a free signed copy of Kevin’s new book, “The Art of Being Broken, How Telling Stories Saves Lives.”
Recovery Village at Pride demonstrate, and raise the consciousness of participating individuals - to develop courage and feelings of dignity and self-worth." Today, over 50 years later, Pride still encourages In early October, WestCare Nevada was able to join our community partners individuals to be their true and authentic selves. Recovery Village celebrates this idea Shine a Light, CrossRoads of Southern Nevada, and the LGBTQIA+ Center of alongside uplifting the human spirit of those in recovery. Today, we take pride in who we Nevada in hosting the first-ever Recovery Village at Las Vegas Pride Festival. are and celebrate that freely with others. All too often, the LGBTQIA+ community is subjected to limited environments to One of the transitional clients at our Women and Children’s Campus had the following to socialize. The Recovery Village created a safe and supportive environment for say about the event: individuals in recovery from alcohol and substances to enjoy the festivities and connect to local resources. They offered meetings throughout the day as well as “Going to the Recovery Village was a new experience access to recovery resources and even a sober bar offering handcrafted mocktails and very empowering. It was my first time sharing my to enjoy while listening to live music. experience and story in recovery in public. For the first time, I was able to enjoy the people and feel a The Pride Festival occurs yearly, reminding us of the thousands of LGBTQIA+ connection with perfect strangers. I found that individuals who gathered during the Stonewall Uprising in a demonstration for connection to be more enjoyable than all of the different equal rights. Foster Gunnison, an E.R.C.H.O member who witnessed the events events and shows that were going on around me. I of Stonewall, stated: “Individuals had new feelings of pride and self-confidence, really realized that recovery is where I want to be and for that was one of the main purposes of the event—to commemorate, to helping others in recovery is what I want to do.”
By Brody Santini CADC-I, Clinical Manager, Harris Springs Ranch
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Uplifting the Human Spirit
Women's Fashion Show Shines Bright on World Recovery Day By Troy Walker, Research Assistant, Connections Fatherhood FIRE On September 25, in a magnificent celebration of World Recovery Day, a spectacular women's fashion show took place, capturing the essence of resilience, beauty, and unity. The event brought together the residents, their children, staff, and community supporters of WestCare Nevada’s Women and Children’s Campus (WCC), creating a memorable extravaganza that marked a significant step towards a brighter future. Curated by the residents of WCC, the fashion show showcased an astounding array of styles, reflecting the diversity of cultures and the unwavering strength of women worldwide. Stylists poured their creativity into breathtaking ensembles featuring a blend of classic elegance, vibrant patterns, and avant-garde designs. Each ensemble told a story of triumph over adversity, symbolizing the resilience and determination of women in the face of challenging times. The runway came alive with vibrant colors, textures, and fabrics as models gracefully walked the stage. The fashion show offered a captivating journey through the latest trends, from ethereal gowns to edgy streetwear. Beyond the awe-inspiring fashion, the event served as a platform to honor the strength and resilience women exhibited worldwide. Inspirational stories of women who have overcome adversity were shared - inspiring attendees with tales of courage, determination, and compassion. The event fostered an atmosphere of unity, reminding everyone of the collective support and empowerment that can arise from joining forces. As the curtains closed on this remarkable event, it left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to witness it. The women's fashion show not only celebrated the power of fashion but also embodied the indomitable spirit within each woman. It symbolized hope, reminding the world that resilience, creativity, and unity can pave the way toward a brighter future - even in adversity. As the world continues its journey towards recovery, let us carry the spirit of this extraordinary fashion show in our hearts. May it inspire us to celebrate diversity, embrace our unique styles, and foster compassion and empowerment in all aspects of our lives. Photography credit: Hubert Englebright, Behavioral Health Tech, Harris Springs Ranch
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Uplifting the Human Spirit Golfing with the Team By Andrew Moran, Development Director, WestCare Foundation It was that time of year again! On September 25, the Las Vegas Rotary Club came together to celebrate the annual Tiberti Classic Golf Putting Tournament at Angel Park Las Vegas. It was a spectacular night of membership, camaraderie, friendship, laughs, BBQ, and golf. WestCare Nevada showed up in full force for the putting contest with Vice President Leo Magrdichian, Program Director of Harris Springs Ranch Edgar Salcido, Transitional and VA Programs Coordinator Rhonda Davisson, joined by WestCare Foundation representation from Vice President of Insurance Josh Lopez, Senior Regional Accountant, Marcus Chapple, and Chief Clinical Officer, Dr. Jason Engel. WestCare staff played a round of golf beforehand, where Edgar bested the crew by a close margin. Marcus sunk a putt for a hole-in-one. Josh took home the second-place trophy and a Lawry's gift card. This annual event is for fun for both sponsors and participants. WestCare sponsored a hole and received signage so that people in the community know we are here. There were over 100 people present, and 25 raffle gifts were given! Major sponsors, the Alera Group and Mr. Russell Swain, made the event possible. We’d like to send a huge shout-out to Paul Maffey and the Tiberti group, as well as the amazing people of the Las Vegas Rotary Club. All the proceeds that were raised by the event support the Rotary Youth Exchange Program of the Las Vegas Rotary Club.
Enjoying Baseball as a Team By Rhonda Davisson, Transitional and VA Programs Coordinator On September 19, we were invited by community partners Shine A Light to attend a Las Vegas Aviators baseball game where they played against the Reno Aces. The Las Vegas Aviators, formerly known as the Las Vegas 51s and Las Vegas Stars, are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They played out of a beautiful sports complex located in Summerlin, which includes the Golden Knights Practice Arena. Although the Aviators lost 10-7 this time, it was truly a night of fun and frivolity for all. Thank you to our friends at Shine A Light for thinking of us and taking our WestCare staff out for a night of enjoyment!
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