Compassionate Capitalism - June 2007

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth

Helping to Eliminate Homelessness Among Nevada’s Youth

Homeless and runaway youth typically leave home due to tragic circumstances such as physical and sexual abuse. Kathleen Boutin, founder and executive director of Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY), had a vision to help spread awareness for Nevada’s growing population of homeless youth and to change the perception surrounding the circumstances of young people without homes. Since its inception in 1999, NPHY has provided food, shelter, job training and counseling services for more than 3,000 homeless and runaway youth. The organization is credited for the passage of the “Right to Shelter” law during the 2001 Legislature, which allows unaccompanied minors consent to the same services that homeless adults receive.

Programs and Services

In 2002, NPHY created Safe Place. Sponsored by the Terrible Herbst Corporation, the program allows young adults to receive emergency assistance 24-hours a day at any Terrible Herbst convenience store throughout the Las Vegas Valley, Laughlin, Mesquite and Pahrump. Safe Place has successfully served more than 400 youths in Southern Nevada.

NPHY maintains the only full-service, drop-in center in Nevada. Located near University of Las Vegas, Nevada (UNLV), the Safe Place drop-in center provides on-site counseling services and has a small library, food pantry, shower, closet, classroom and personal business station.

Unaccompanied minors between the ages of 16 and 18 are eligible to live in a furnished condominium unit, provided by NPHY, if they are currently attending school and/or working full-time. Parental permission and cooperation is required and random home visits are made daily. Adolescents are assigned a case manager and given funding for food, clothing and school expenses. Upon completion of high school, the assisted minors are given full-time employment opportunities and helped to make the transition to adulthood.

The NPHY Mentor Match program was designed by former foster care youth to help with the transition from the foster care system to independence. Prior to being emancipated from the Clark County Division of Family and Youth Services, young adults can be assigned to the Mentor Match program. Mentors assist with the educational needs, employment and related skill sets needed to establish productive relationships. Training and support are available to both the youth and mentor.

Capital Campaign

NPHY’s success has resulted in an immediate need for increased space to house those in need of their 24-hour drop-in center. The organization recently launched a capital campaign to purchase and renovate a larger building to help accommodate the growth. The new building is called The Open Door and will provide a host of services including counseling, mental health services, job training and placement, nutrition and life guidance.

The new building, large enough to house both the drop-in center and administrative services, was previously a dental clinic and will require more than $750,000 for extensive remodeling. To help fund the building and remodeling costs, NPHY is offering corporate sponsorships from $10,000 to $50,000. Sponsorship elements include outside recognition and naming, room sponsorships, endowment and scholarships.

For more information on

NPHY services and its

capital campaign,

contact Kathleen Boutin

at 702-373-000 or kboutin@nphy.org