Laura Weylie
By Callie Thomas
“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.” – Helen Keller
Laura Weylie dreams of possibilities. As a result, the American Sign Language Interpreter has had a helping hand in not only giving those who cannot hear a way to communicate, but she has given other women and children hope, encouragement and the tools they need to make their dreams become a reality.
The Texas A&M graduate put her degree in Early Childhood Education to the test by immediately teaching elementary school in Texas by day and taking classes to learn sign language and interpretation by night. After moving to Las Vegas with husband Brian three years ago, she has made it a full-time profession. Her compassion and commitment has also been put to use in southern Nevada through her involvement with the non-profit organization called the Women’s Club of Summerlin (WCS).
The organization, which was founded in 2001, provides support through volunteer activities and fundraisers to meet the needs of at risk women and children. Weylie has also been instrumental in coordinating the group’s annual charity event. This year’s event benefits the Dare to Dream Grant Program, which encourages women to achieve their goals such as continuing education, starting a new business or skills training to enhance their lives and the lives of others in the community. Each year, the group gives recipients a hand up with up to a $3,000 grant to make their dreams become a reality. We had an opportunity to talk with Laura about her work with the Women’s Club, how it has inspired her own life and why she believes in making dreams come true.
Why did you join the Women’s Club of Summerlin?
“When I first moved to Las Vegas, I decided that since I didn’t know anyone yet, other than my husband, this would be an opportunity to get to know the area, help others and make new friends. Little did I know that I would become a board member just a few months later and eventually the president. I just love being a part of an organization that makes such a positive impact on our community.”
How has WCS assisted the community?
“To date, WCS has donated over $350,000 in cash and items to local charitable organizations with the largest donations coming from annual charity events. The recipients must coincide with the mission and vision of WCS to help needy women and children. Shade Tree Shelter, Child Focus (programs for children in foster care), CHANGE (clothing and personal items for children at Child Haven) and S.A.F.E. House (women and children who are victims of domestic violence) have all been recipients.”
You’re getting ready for the Annual Charity Event this October.
“Yes, the Dare to Dream Grant Program will be the recipient of the fundraising efforts this year to help provide the grants to deserving women. It is on October 18th at the J.W. Marriott. There will be live entertainment, dancing, a raffle and silent auction.”
How has the Dare to Dream Program inspired you?
“It is so inspiring to see the pride and determination in each recipient’s face as they are honored. Their enthusiasm and aspirations about bettering their own lives and others in our community always makes me so proud to be a part of this organization.”
Giving back is important in your life.
“I’ve always been passionate about giving back. As a high school graduate, I received the Community Service Award. What good are our talents and skills if we keep them to ourselves?”
You’ve been instrumental in granting others’ dreams, but what might be one of yours, if you weren’t in your current career?
“I love what I do, but it would be great to have Samantha Brown’s job on the Travel Channel. She gets paid to travel the world, stay in amazing places and experience new things!”
Don Purdue and Laurie Abdo
By Callie Thomas
Hope springs eternal for 89117 residents Don Purdue and Laurie Abdo, and not just because of their long standing history in southern Nevada (Don is a third generation Nevadan and wife Laurie’s family moved to Las Vegas in 1967) or because they united their family, which includes four children, after they married in 2004. Rather, it’s because of their belief in making a difference in the lives of high school kids in need and their families in the community.
Both Don and Laurie work diligently at their professions. Don says he ended up in land development and homebuilding because “he didn’t want to wear a tie to work and it sounded more fun than accounting,” while Laurie is a hearing aid specialist. One day, Don saw a plea on Facebook to assist 150 homeless high school students that changed everything for the couple and their family. What began as curiosity has ended up in an ongoing resolve to assist, not just the original 150 students that Don learned about but the estimated 6,300 homeless students and their families in Clark County. Due to the economic turn in the community and other unforeseeable factors, otherwise viable and hard working teens have been faced with homelessness or found themselves in need of vital provisions including a bed to sleep on, clothing, food, bus passes and more just to be able to attend school.
With the help of Harmony Homes and many friends, Don and Laurie founded Project 150, a nonprofit organization that coordinates an ongoing list of drives and fundraising events to support fourteen high schools in the community. Don and Laurie talk about their efforts, how it has affected their lives and how social media has become an indispensible tool in connecting to others and making a difference.
Don, how exactly did you come about creating Project 150?
“After seeing a post on Facebook, I decided to visit Rancho High School for myself. I couldn’t believe there were actually 150 students there that were in so much need. I met with the counselor, and after just twenty minutes of seeing kids coming in and out of her office, I was near tears looking at the problems that her students encountered. It was everything from needing a cap and gown to graduate to needing to find a place to work.”
The kids were different than you might have expected?
“The kids are polite, hard working, self supporting and have shown an ability to face incredible circumstances. They just need a break.”
What was the first initiative for Project 150?
“It started as a Christmas drive and ended up being a full-fledged effort. At first, we volunteered to help seventeen families with Christmas gifts, and after we delivered the gifts we realized our four kids were looking forward to the holiday break with family and presents and the students at Rancho High School were fearing the break because their only reliable meal comes at the school. We ended up raising $10,000 and bought food gift cards so these students could have meals during the break.”
Laurie, your family’s compassion for people is a huge part of why this project has been so successful.
“Just as I have a huge compassion for the people that I assist with hearing devices in my profession, we are committed to Project 150’s goal of enhancing the lives of displaced and at risk teens by keeping them in school.”
Social media has been an important resource in gaining support.
“Yes. I really don’t know Twitter that well but my kids said, ‘That’s the way everyone talks now, Dad’ so we use it and Facebook to help us spread the message.”
Don, with your busy schedule, do you ever get to unplug?
“Oh, I’m pretty good at unplugging.”
What about you, Laurie?
“I have a hard time relaxing but enjoy cooking. Don and I work well together in the kitchen.”
Meet The Neighbor – Dr. Andy Eisen
By Callie Thomas
“Always do right. It will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” – Mark Twain
After playing devoted pediatrician Dr. Doug Ross on the TV series ER, actor George Clooney once declared that having kids was not in the cards for him. Southern Nevada is lucky to have the real deal in 89123 native resident Dr. Andy Eisen. While the doctor shares the popular character’s “go to any lengths” passion for healing kids and is deeply committed to the health and welfare of all children in our community, he’s also the father of teenage sons Jonathan and AJ with his wife Diane, who also happens to be in the medical field as a Physical Therapist.
While family is of foremost importance, Dr. Eisen is an integral force in keeping kids healthy as a pediatrician and the Associate Dean for Clinical Education at Touro University Nevada, which is Nevada’s largest medical school. He also serves as the Medical Director for Touro’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, which is Southern Nevada’s only multidisciplinary center for the evaluation and treatment of children with a wide range of developmental conditions. As if that weren’t enough, Dr. Eisen also serves as Medical Director for The Helping Kids Clinic, a non-profit organization that provides medical services including checkups and immunizations to kids with no other health care resources. You might also find him working as a collaborating physician for The Bower School-based Health Clinic at Basic High School. Busy doesn’t begin to describe his daily routine, which varies from day to day, but not being of service to those in need is unfathomable to Dr. Eisen. He took a rare break to talk about his work with kids, why he’s so passionate about giving back and about the life of a doctor in the real world.
It has been estimated that 16% of Nevada’s children have no health insurance. How does The Helping Kids Clinic assist them?
“The clinic provides free health care to children who don’t have adequate health care resources. We provide routine medical care and immunizations as well as sports and camp physicals. We’re working to keep them healthy and active and can treat minor illnesses without these kids having to show up in the emergency departments.”
Similar services are offered at The Bower School-based Health Clinic at Basic High School?
“Yes, the center provides well child checks, sports physicals, minor illness care and health counseling right on the grounds of Basic High campus.”
What attracted you to these organizations?
“I got involved because they provide direct, real benefits to families in need. The focus is on keeping kids and teens healthy so they can learn, play and grow, which ultimately decreases health care costs for the entire community by decreasing demand on costly urgent and emergency care.”
It must be rewarding to see the effects of your services in the community.
“We’ve been told that without our services children would have had to suffer through illness or wait until they became so sick that there was no alternative than to go to the emergency department.”
In the little free time you have, how do you unplug?
“I don’t really unplug. I just take breaks when I can find them. I spend time at home with my family or catch a movie, but one thing I like about what I do is that my schedule is never the same. I do the work when it needs to be done.”
If you weren’t a pediatrician, what other career would you choose?
“I did consider other things in addition to being a doctor, but not as an alternative; an astronaut (I have poor eyesight, so that didn’t happen) or a rock star (minor issue – a complete lack of musical talent or skill), but after several years of trying to teach myself to play, I have managed to become an accomplished guitar owner.”
Meet The Neighbor – Benjamin Brown
By Callie Thomas
Here’s some food for thought: How do you get kids to learn about nutrition, try new foods, boost their learning skills and do it all in a creative and fun way? Resident Benjamin Brown, a.k.a. “Mr. B,” has come up with just the right recipe for success. This Teach for America corps member, licensed school teacher and food-critiquing journalist has combined his expertise with his love for all things culinary and founded a program called First Grade Food Critics.
It’s hard to imagine a six year old straying beyond food choices such as mac and cheese or peanut butter, let alone taking pen (or crayon) in hand to comment about their meal. Still, Brown has found a way to provide dining experiences for children that can be used as learning tools to advance their writing abilities and help them learn about new careers and eating healthy.
Perhaps Brown was willing to give it a try based on his adventurous spirit, which has led him across the globe to Panama to document a previously uninhabited island for future tourism and to teach English at a rural elementary school. He’s also volunteered in the Israeli Defense Force, working on a tank base in the Negev Desert, minutes from the Gaza Strip. When he’s not teaching in Clark County, he’s busy earning his master’s degree from UNLV and reviewing restaurants for Examiner.com. Brown relishes the opportunity to explore the Vegas dining scene and has reviewed more than 100 different eateries. He’s also an avid fitness enthusiast and competes as an amateur track athlete while coaching a local high school team. Brown talks about his inspiration for First Grade Food Critics, future aspirations and the best thing he’s ever eaten.
What spurred the idea of First Grade Food Critics?
“It came to me during the summer between my first and second year as a teacher. I spent that time in Panama, and teaching English at a rural elementary school showed me that my students in Vegas have luxuries kids across the world don’t have. Las Vegas has incredible resources with its renowned hospitality industry and I knew there had to be a way to integrate those facets into tools for our city’s children.”
The students in First Grade Food Critics are in at risk schools?
“Yes, the vast majority of students qualify for free and reduced lunches. The families, many of them are maintenance staff, front desk workers and sanitation workers. These kids are being exposed to jobs that the families wouldn’t otherwise be able to put them in touch with.”
Tell us about some of the Food Critic events.
“My favorite event was our trip to the top of the Stratosphere tower. We were joined by a fifth grade class from another elementary school, a great opportunity for the older students to serve as mentors and for the program to expand. They reviewed Carvery 108, a gourmet deli, then went down to watch the teacher (me) take the SkyJump. An exhilarating experience and a fun way to freak the kids out! We also recently did a taste-test of two new menu items for the 2012 Summer Food Service Program (a federally funded program administered by Nevada’s Department of Education providing free meals to children in low-income areas) at Springs Cafe at Springs Preserve for The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, the largest SFSP sponsor in Nevada.”
What are some of your aspirations?
“This program has taught me so much about management, expansion, customer satisfaction (even if the clients are six years old) toward the business side of journalism that I hope to use in the future. I also want to grow the program to become a national non-profit.”
What is the best dish you’ve ever eaten?
“What a question for a food critic! Leaving Las Vegas out of this one, it would be a meat and cheese ravioli at a quaint trattoria in Florence, Italy. I have yet to experience anything close to that blissful dish.”
Meet The Neighbor – Carrie Ostrea
By Callie Thomas
“Life isn’t measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away.” – Author Unknown
It is said that everything happens for a reason. People come into our lives to serve a purpose, teach a lesson, help us figure out who we are or affect our life in some profound way. For 89052 resident Carrie Ostrea, many have come into her life and have made an indelible impact: her husband Robert, their children Ethan and Abigail, and their miracle child, Little Miss Hannah.
When Carrie and Robert first married 15 years ago, they discovered they were unable to have children and decided to adopt. Ethan was their first and Abigail came next. About four years ago, the couple was surprised to learn that Carrie had become pregnant. On July 25th, 2008 Hannah was born. The family celebrated their joyous arrival until their newborn daughter, just one day old, landed in the neonatal intensive care unit as doctors began to run a succession of tests. Many, many visits to specialists later, they discovered that Hannah suffered from a rare illness known as Neuronopathic Gaucher’s Disease, a life-limiting genetic metabolic disorder.
The couple began an un-ending search for every expert, scientist and researcher in the country to find answers and a cure, of which there is none. Their little Hannah was given a life expectancy of nine months. Hannah made a profound impact on the lives of the Ostrea family, their friends and those she encountered for the following three years until she succumbed to the disease on December 4th of last year. Working through their grief, Carrie Ostrea and her family have found a way to not only honor their young daughter’s life, but also help other families with children diagnosed with terminal illnesses through a foundation called Little Miss Hannah.
You and your family have been through an incredible life journey. Even moving here a couple of years ago was a feat?
“Yes, we moved here from Houston, Texas in order to find work after my husband lost his job and to be near family who lives in Vegas. My husband and the older kids drove across country to Vegas with two dogs and our cat, while Hannah was hospitalized in Texas for 42 days. She and I medi-flighted to Sunrise Children’s Hospital.”
How did the Little Miss Hannah Foundation (LMHF) come to fruition?
“After Hannah passed away, I made a promise to her that what she had lived through and what she taught us would not be in vain.”
How does the organization help others?
“When you have a child with a terminal diagnosis, it is such a difficult lifestyle – emotionally, financially, physically and all around. We learned so much during Hannah’s journey, so we hope we can make it just a bit easier for families to focus on the quality time they have left with their child and give their other children, the siblings, special attention because they too live with the loss of their brother or sister.”
Tell us about the Little Miss Hannah Foundation launch event.
“The launch of Little Miss Hannah Foundation was held this past July 25th, which would have been Hannah’s fourth birthday. The event was called Rainbows to the Sky. It helped create awareness for the foundation as well as other rare childhood diseases. Funds raised are going towards providing support and comfort for families who are faced with losing a child. We can’t change their inevitability, but we can help them focus on enhancing the quality time they have with their ill child. There was music, activities, raffles and a balloon release to honor those that have died. It was a difficult yet inspiring day for me and my family.”
How has LMHF helped you personally through your grief?
“I miss Hannah every day. I need to do something positive that will help me find a reason for Hannah to have gone through what she did and make a change in our community.”
For more information on the foundation, visit www.littlemisshannah.org.
Meet the Neighbor – Michael S. Palmieri
By Callie Thomas
“We are born neither winners nor losers; we are born choosers.”
– Anthony Clark, Former World’s Strongest Man
Do we control our destiny or do unseen forces manipulate us? This question is one that the youth of our community are faced with on a daily basis. Should they follow what they believe is a pre-determined path or can they instead choose the life they want? It’s a question that resident Michael Palmieri is familiar with, particularly as he has spent the better part of 25 years giving teens the right tools to make important choices that will ultimately shape their lives.
Palmieri has the mind of an athlete (probably because he is one) and he’s spent his career researching, training, educating and consulting with other athletes to enhance their performance. He does this through a combination of science and training at his company, The Institute of Sport Science & Athletic Conditioning. It’s easy to envision that this imposing 250 pound man would hold a certification in strength and conditioning and could easily fit the bill as a certified Sports Performance Coach, a title he received while attending the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado. In addition, Palmieri holds other certifications in heavy sports, combat sports, speed/power and physique athletes training while also serving as a brand ambassador for Las Vegas based XYIENCE, the official energy drink of the UFC, and working with XYIENCE’s team of UFC athletes. What may be most unexpected and ultimately intriguing is his dedication to teaching Las Vegas youth the necessary skills to avoid poor lifestyle choices as president of the non-profit PB & J Leadership Training Camp. Michael Palmieri talks about his involvement with the camp, about making a difference in Las Vegas and what motivates him.
How did you get into sports and what made you want to work with other athletes?
“I got started by following my older brother around the gym. He was a competitive bodybuilder. When I got old enough, I got into powerlifting and playing baseball. A few years later, I started working with athletes.”
Tell us about PB & J Leadership Training, Inc.
“We’re dedicated to teaching the youth of our community the skills needed to avoid negative lifestyle choices such as drugs and gangs and instead become productive leaders in our society.”
You’ve had a long history supporting PB & J Leadership Training, Inc. How did you get started?
“I was a participant in the first leadership camp back in 1987. I have participated in every camp from youth staff to adult staff. When the gentleman who was running it at the time retired in 2004, I took the entire program over.”
That had to be an enormous undertaking, but an inspiring one.
“There is no feeling like it. When I’m in public and a young adult comes up to me and says, ‘Mr. Palmieri! Do you remember me from camp X number of years ago?’ I see that they have a family of their own and a good career and it makes me very proud.”
How do you teach teens in the program about taking control of their lives?
“We provide activities that offer a drug and violence free environment and give the participants the capability to address these problems. Through what we call ‘positive peer pressure,’ PB & J allows young people the opportunity to empower themselves to actually be part of the solution and help with the reduction of drug abuse and gang violence.”
What do you think motivates you?
“I’m passionate about my belief system, my business and my camp kids. I’m very committed to hard work and making solid plans.”
Tell us something about yourself that you think others might be surprised to know.
“I was born and raised in Vegas and am the youngest of six (four sisters and one brother) and I’m basically a nerd. I’m extremely left-brained, so I approach everything analytically.”
Meet The Neighbor – Ken Rubeli
By Callie Thomas
“Life’s battles don’t always go to the strongest or fastest man, but sooner or later the man who wins is the fellow who thinks he can.” – Steve Prefontaine
Ken Rubeli has more than just running in common with long-distance legend Steve Prefontaine. Although he is a passionate and avid runner himself, it is Ken’s drive and entrepreneurial spirit that have moved mountains and have made the Boys & Girls Clubs of Henderson thrive.
The Boys & Girls Clubs enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. The decision to work with them was not merely a random choice for Rubeli; in fact, it has been a longtime association that goes back to his own childhood in Scottsdale, Arizona. Rubeli has maintained a strong connection with the Boys & Girls Clubs even while cultivating an impressive career in corporate finance with Bear Stearns in New York and Enron in Houston, not to mention working with gaming establishments in Las Vegas and forming his own national energy consulting business.
After serving as a very active board member since 2005, he took on the full time position as the Chief Executive Officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Henderson. Over the last year, with his dedication and can-do philosophy, the organization has nearly doubled their membership and has expanded from five locations to nine operating sites across the valley, including a new Summerlin site at the Alexander Dawson School. There is even a Teen Center named for Rubeli at the Mary & Sam Boyd Boys & Girls Club. He shares his enthusiasm for the future of the organization and how tackling his own childhood obesity led him to a passion for running.
How did you first become involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs?
“When I was 11, I started coming in the summertime just as something to do to keep busy all day long. I kept going to the club every summer after school. At 14, I got my first job at the club as a snack bar clerk. I worked for the club every summer through high school and college until I began my pursuit of the capitalist dream and moved to New York.”
What is your most memorable moment associated with the organization?
“The day the Rubeli Teen Center opened at the Mary & Sam Boyd Boys & Girls Club. I’m passionate about helping teens and it gave me chills to see the teens’ faces light up when they entered their own part of the Club.”
What types of offerings are at the Center?
“It includes a games room, education room, arts & crafts area, an area especially for teens and a kitchen.”
You’ve been able to see first-hand the effects of your involvement.
“Yes, I love seeing the tangible benefits of giving both time and money to a cause. While it feels good to be financially supportive, it’s magical when you can devote time, which is ultimately the most valuable commodity we all possess to help others who need it most.”
What do you think drives you the most?
“The words ‘quit’ and ‘can’t’ simply don’t exist in my vocabulary.”
You’ve persisted in not only making things happen for the Boys & Girls Clubs but for yourself, too.
“I’ve tackled my own unhealthy lifestyle and took up running four years ago. I was 40 pounds heavier and couldn’t even run one mile without stopping. I now routinely compete in 100 mile ultra-marathons and other extreme running events. Even when I’m stressed, I’ll go for a run on the Red Rock Scenic Loop.”
You must be proud of your accomplishments.
“I’m proud of my two wonderful kids Tanner and Amanda, of tackling childhood obesity through exercise and being able to push beyond perceived limits.”
Meet The Neighbor – Chef Anthony Meidenbauer
By Callie Thomas
Something is always cooking, both figuratively and literally, with 89135 resident Chef Anthony Meidenbauer. There’s never a dull moment for the corporate executive chef and director of culinary operations for Block 16 Hospitality. Whether it’s the burgers and dogs at Holsteins, LBS and Pink’s, the gastropub fare at Public House or the classic cuisine with a contemporary twist at Barymore, you can bet that food is always on Meidenbauer’s brain. But what you may not know is that while he’s thinking about the next menu concept for the corporate restaurant group or overseeing every design detail of their newest eatery, he’s also tossing around ways to assist at the latest fundraiser to benefit charitable organizations like the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Shade Tree or coordinating weekly food donations to Three Square Food Bank. The work isn’t easy, but Meidenbauer wouldn’t have it any other way.
This Vegas resident is no stranger to hard work. In fact, it’s been a whirlwind ever since he began his culinary career in town twelve years ago, but Meidenbauer still makes time to lend a hand, donate food and support those in need in the community. Even with a million plates in the air, he still holds true to his belief that it is important to play an active role in making a difference. Over the last year, a lot has happened at work and in Meidenbauer’s personal life (he and his wife are looking forward to welcoming a new baby), and during that time, he’s also made an impact with a half dozen charitable organizations through their fundraisers. The busy chef and entrepreneur stopped long enough to talk with us about his work in the community, give advice on how to get it all done and what he believes is the secret to his success.
It’s been a busy year for you! What’s the actual tally of organizations that you’ve assisted recently?
“This year, we’ve done fundraising work for local charities such as the Nevada Chapter of Make-A-Wish, The Dream Center of Las Vegas, Keeping Memory Alive, Communities in Schools, AFAN, Shade Tree, and we help Three Square Food Bank with food donations.”
How do you determine which organizations you want to assist?
“I have a passion for supporting charities and programs that are local and truly impact our local community.”
Any experiences you’d like to share?
“I get involved in a lot of different ways. I recently participated as one of the celebrity chefs at the poker tournament at Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appetit, where proceeds went to Communities in Schools. We’ve served small plates from Holsteins at the Black and White Event to support Aid for AIDS (AFAN). We’ve also held a month-long event where all proceeds from Holsteins and LBS Burger’s limited-edition “Billy Burger” and Pink’s Hot Dogs’ “Chili Cheese Dog” were donated to Shade Tree. We also provide weekly food donations to Three Square and I’ve handed out food to the homeless.”
What’s it like to see the rewards of your efforts?
“It’s so great seeing the looks on the faces of grateful people that we’ve touched. It’s important to help those that need it most. It doesn’t have to be through money. It could be as simple as helping an elderly neighbor take out the garbage or cleaning their yard.”
With all that you do, how do you keep all the plates in the air?
“I surround myself with great people and let them do what they do. I have followed this idea my whole life and when you do, you put yourself in a position to succeed.”
Of everything you’ve accomplished, what makes you most proud?
“My family. Recently getting married and a baby on the way are the things that make me most proud and happy on a daily basis. My success in my career is just icing on the cake.”
Meet The Neighbor – Monique Harris
By Callie Thomas
It takes a lot of guts to lay it all on the line. Just imagine taking everything you have worked tirelessly to achieve and giving it all up to help someone else. Monique Harris not only imagined it, but she did it willingly.
Coming to the aid of those less fortunate is not a new notion for Monique. Over the last seventeen years, she’s been involved in serving the underserved and disadvantaged. She’s worked closely with children and family services and has also acted as a foster parent, child and family advocate and community liaison. Add in providing wraparound services, case management, community outreach and mentoring to her long list of expertise and you’ll know why founding the Southern Nevada Children First (SNCF) nonprofit organization in 2007 was a natural fit.
Through her experiences, Monique noticed that a large number of disadvantaged young women who were either pregnant or had small children were denied shelter due to liability issues. Eventually, the Right to Shelter law was passed and the state of Nevada started providing temporary emergency services to local youth. However, the majority of them were returning to the streets and into abusive situations because they had nowhere else to go. Needless to say, Monique set out to make a difference. In her mission to help shelter the children of our streets, she has encountered frustration, loss and hardship, but also friendship, love and joy. With her strength and faith in God, she has turned the tide for teens in need, becoming an inspiration and a tangible example that mountains can be moved if you believe. Monique shares her astonishing story, where her faith comes from and how a single mother of two finds peace amidst adversity.
How did Southern Nevada Children First get started?
“I ran into a colleague who had piloted a program to help young ladies get off the street and I joined forces with her. We soon found ourselves with three houses providing services, but had no money to continue the program. We held on as long as we could. Eventually, my colleague left the program and I was left with all these girls.”
How were you able to continue to help?
“I ended up taking three of the young ladies into my home, where they stayed for a few months until I was able to afford to rent another home.”
How were you able to accomplish this with no financial assistance?
“I withdrew my retirement savings. I remember praying and saying that if it was God’s will and this is what you want me to do, I trust that you will bless it.”
Where does SNCF stand now?
“We started with a three bedroom house and now we have a 5,000 square foot administrative office, community resource center and seven apartment units serving up to twenty-one young moms and over twenty babies.”
Any experiences at SNCF you’d like to share?
“One seventeen year old came to us from Juvenile Detention. Her family would not allow her to return home, where her eight siblings were all living in a two bedroom apartment with their grandmother. She continued to run away and got into trouble on the street. She came to us in her third trimester of pregnancy and kept sabotaging our attempts to help. She finally realized that we really care. She’s now nineteen, in her own apartment and committed to doing whatever it takes to keep her family together.”
What are you most proud of accomplishing?
“Raising two wonderful children that are caring and compassionate toward others.”
How do you find peace in your busy life?
“I take a bubble bath. I also like to sing and dance. When I hear songs that remind me of when I was a teenager, I sing at the top of my lungs and perform the old videos.”
Meet The Neighbor – Paige Candee
By Callie Thomas
Who’d have thought that when Holly Golightly first sported the “little black dress” in the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s that it would not only become a fashion classic but also the subject of the country’s first-of-its-kind Dress for Success fundraising club to assist disadvantaged women. Resident Paige Candee doesn’t really consider herself a fashionista, but her appreciation for style is firmly planted where it will help our community most: in the lives of women in need. By providing them with professional clothing for a job interview, along with the confidence and self-respect they need to land a steady job that will support their families, Paige is making a difference far beyond appearances.
Paige is the Public Relations Director for Purdue Marion & Associates, where she develops communications plans and strategies for their clients, a position that allows her to foster her passion for being involved in the community. Paige is a veteran when it comes to lending a hand and has spent her entire life volunteering for a long list of nonprofit organizations. She’s been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Through the Eyes of a Child Foundation, Lili Claire Foundation, Candelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, Best Buddies Nevada and the Animal Foundation, just to name a few. In 2009, she took it upon herself to begin the local affiliate of Dress for Success, an international charitable organization that helps disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help them thrive professionally and personally. Paige tells us why reaching out to the community makes her so happy and how this wife and mother of twins has learned a thing or two about expressing one’s self through fashion.
What prompted you to start the Dress for Success Southern Nevada affiliate?
“When the recession hit hard in Las Vegas, I thought about how I could make a difference in the lives of out-of-work women and empower them to support their families by helping them to not only secure a job but to build a career.”
How does the organization work?
“We provide each woman with one suit for her job interview. When she successfully lands a job, she returns to Dress for Success for a second suit and up to a week’s worth of business-appropriate separates and accessories. She also receives an invitation to join the Professional Women’s Group, our employment retention service.”
Who does it assist?
“It now serves job ready women by referral only from job training organizations, such as local nonprofit and governmental agencies. Our clients represent all ethnicities and races and range from age eighteen to sixty years old. Seventy percent are single mothers raising an average of two to three children and live under the poverty level prior to receiving our services.”
Tell us about the Little Black Dress Club.
“I created it to generate a support base and consistent revenue stream for the charity. The monthly donor program serves as a fundraising entity and a networking club for members and its clients. Supporters provide struggling women with a better life for themselves and their families. Members have the opportunity to be a client mentor and teach job training classes.”
The Little Black Dress Club has caused quite a stir!
“Yes, I’m excited that the success of the club has led to the start of other Dress for Success affiliates around the world.”
Have you ever had a fashion mishap?
“I once wore black and white striped tights and combat boots in high school as a form of expression. I’ve since learned different ways to express myself through fashion. Good thing I wasn’t interviewing for professional jobs back then!”
What would you say makes you successful?
“It’s because I’m happy. I have a fantastic husband, Will, and our twin boys Braeden and Conner. I have an enjoyable career and I’m making a difference—and I’m not done!”
For information on Dress for Success, visit www.dressforsuccess.org/southernnevada.
