Nevadans in need can now access immediate assistance from 33 nonprofits across the valley
LAS VEGAS – As our community faces incredible turmoil, the needs for food, shelter, and utility assistance resulting from COVID-19 continue to grow. To help those in need get through the current economic crisis, United Way of Southern Nevada has released Phase 3 funding of $206,000 through its UWSN Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund. These funds will support organizations that are providing direct assistance to homeless teens and families, individuals affected by domestic violence, and refugees.
“During this difficult time for our city and our country, the last thing that anyone should have to worry about is keeping a roof over their head and food on the table,” said Kyle B. Rahn, President & CEO of United Way of Southern Nevada. “We are proud to announce another distribution of funds raised to our direct service non-profit partners who can provide help to those in need and we are grateful for the support of donors who made these additional monies possible.”
Through this funding, our compassionate nonprofit partners have been able to continue their essential work of helping members of our community. In just four weeks, Project 150 provided over 800 homeless high school students with family meal bags, which is equivalent to over 6,500 meals. SafeNest has ensured that survivors of domestic violence have safe housing and food for their families. With Phase 3 funding, the ECDC- African Community Center will help provide rent and utility assistance to their clients who have been laid off due to COVID-19 and are refugees.
“United Way of Southern Nevada’s prompt funding opportunity helped Lutheran Social Services of Nevada to immediately mobilize our strengths to serve our hurting community, even in the time of shock, despair, and the unknown,” said Lutheran Social Services Executive Director, Armena Mkhitaryan.
With our network of 200 nonprofit partners, UWSN is helping to ensure that more Nevadans stay home, stay safe, and recover from the current economic crisis. With $2,180,145 distributed, UWSN continues to need the community’s support to raise an additional $3 million to provide projected needs assistance. UWSN is encouraging organizations and individuals to donate at uwsn.org/donate or by texting “UWSNFUND” to 313131.
Individuals can contact Nevada 2-1-1 at 1-866-535-5654 to find the needed resource for assistance from the Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3 funding recipients. UWSN is in the process of disbursing funds to the following 11 community organizations to meet the immediate needs of individuals, children, and families.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada
Providing food assistance to children and families in their service areas.
East Valley Family Services
Providing food, rent, and utility assistance.
ECDC- African Community Center
Providing rent & utility assistance to African Community Center clients.
Family Promise of Las Vegas
Providing temporary housing and rental assistance to families experiencing homelessness.
Friends in the Desert Foundation
Providing served meals to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Leaders in Training
Providing food, rent, and utility assistance to students and their families.
Lutheran Social Services of Nevada
Providing a food pantry and rent and mortgage assistance.
Project 150
Providing food assistance for homeless, displaced, and disadvantaged high school students and their families.
Safe Nest, TADC
Providing a food pantry and rent and mortgage assistance to individuals affected by domestic violence.
Senior Center of Boulder City
Providing food assistance for seniors.
TCMI Church Food Pantry
Providing a drive-thru food pantry.
A local board made up of community leaders determined how the funds were distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local non-profit direct service agencies in the area. For more information about the UWSN Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund, please email COVID19@uwsn.org.
As a community leader with over 60 years of experience uniting individuals, companies, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies to create positive change in Southern Nevada, United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) has mobilized the community and acted quickly to develop solutions for those in need. United Way of Southern Nevada’s immediate actions to address the COVID-19 crisis include: providing basic needs funding, convening nonprofit and community stakeholders, serving as a hub for volunteers, and creating an asset map of available resources and referrals for the most vulnerable which is accessible at UWSN.ORG/COVID19.
About United Way of Southern Nevada:
United Way of Southern Nevada unites our community to improve people’s lives. We bring donors, volunteers, nonprofits, and businesses together to help children enter school ready to learn, help high school students reach graduation day, and support individuals working to earn a degree or certification, all while creating stability for their families. Together, we step into the ring and invite others to stand with us as a united front against social injustices and forces keeping our community’s most vulnerable residents from a good life. We are bold and innovative to solve our toughest problems. Together, we fight for the future of our community – and we will win. Join us at uwsn.org.
About the UWSN Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund
With over 30 years of experience in distributing emergency funding, help will be available through nonprofit organizations who are experienced in providing direct service assistance. To ensure accountability of the distribution of funds, UWSN is following the same stringent guidelines it utilizes for the administration of Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) funds through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). To ensure all donated funds are distributed to needs resulting from the COVID-19 virus and this state of emergency, Bank of America is covering all of their administrative fees and underwriting expenses related to the Emergency Assistance and Community Needs Fund account so that 100% of the donations go to local needs.