Shannon West Homeless Youth Center

JLLV leaders presenting the check to HELP of Southern Nevada President/CEO Fuilala Riley

HELP of Southern Nevada’s Shannon West Homeless Youth Center is a 166-bed shelter for at-risk youth that are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The Center helps residents become self-sufficient by offering training to further their education, employment, social and life skills. JLLV has created a committee, the Shannon West Homeless Youth Center (SWHYC) committee, which focuses on our partnership with the Center. Our SWHYC committee plans several events a month at the Center, including:

  • Tutoring sessions
  • Meal preparation and serving
  • Life skills sessions
  • Other activities and events

If you’re familiar with the history of HELP of Southern Nevada, you know that JLLV helped establish the first iteration of HELP, the Voluntary Action Center, in 1969. The agency was incorporated in 1970. Since its inception, it has helped hundreds of thousands of local individuals and families by providing services and essential items, like food, clothing, shelter and utility assistance.

Junior League of Las Vegas and HELP of Southern Nevada continue to work together on several community projects and programs. In April of 2017, JLLV donated $200,000 to HELP’s Shannon West Homeless Youth Center, which opened its doors on July 14, 2017. The funds help support two critical positions that will allow the center’s youth to obtain education and participate in life skills groups. JLLV Is also honored to be the namesake of the ‘Junior League of Las Vegas Dining Room’ – a place for the residents to gather, study, and share meals.

Though only a few years old, our partnership with SWHYC has quickly become one of our members’ favorite projects. In any given week, you can find JLLV members at the shelter offering tutoring sessions, cooking hearty meals, or just having fun with the youth at movie nights or game days. We look forward to continuing to grow the partnership, and are grateful to be able to make even a small difference in the lives of the youth residents.

 

Photo Album

Enjoy these photos of some of our various shifts at SWHYC!