non-profits support youth in need

LAS VEGAS (KSNV) — “They can come every 30 days: 5 outfits, school supplies.”

We’re here at Betty’s Boutique at Project 150. High school students, verified through CCSD, can get clothing, food, and other essentials for free. Executive director Kelli Kristo reflects on their 14-year-long mission to help homeless and disadvantaged teens. “It makes me feel bad because ideally, I’d like to work myself out of a job and not have to deal with this issue in our community anymore, but that’s not our reality, right?”

When they began in 2011, Project 150 says there were 7,500 students experiencing homelessness. CCSD statistics for this current school year estimate that there are about 13,000 about half are elementary school students.

Marie Mortera asks, “When you look at the numbers of homeless youth, it’s well beyond high school. Elementary school kids are a big part of the population. How does that sit with you?”

Kristo responds, “It’s not easy, obviously, middle school, elementary. The numbers aren’t great. We started with high school, so we want to make sure they stay in high school and graduate. We’re helping their families too, so littles are getting help. The other issue is that this is an age where they can drop out of school, and that’s the last thing we want them to do.”

Communities In Schools is another organization that supports students’ needs by being there right on campuses facing the most need.

Laura Meyer is the executive director. “We’re in 75 schools in CCSD right now to help identify the additional needs a student might have, that is disengaging them from the classroom. We support meeting those needs so teachers can show up more fully to teach the classes they have and support all of the students.”

Their help is going further, as they ask the community to fill their Amazon wish list of unwrapped toys and winter clothing. “Our drive every year serves hundreds of students, of course, all based on how much we bring in during our drive,s and the more we bring in, the more can help,” says Meyer.

Back at Project 150, in addition to their ready-made food delivered to high schools each week, they’re getting ready for their annual holiday meal program, which includes 2,000 holiday meals that started before SNAP benefits were limited. “We’re getting ready for next week to pack these Thanksgiving meals, complete meals – turkey, stuffing, mac and cheese – all of it. Packed up directly to high schools for the students who pre-ordered.”

Those pre-orders are filled, but Project 150 is hoping the community can help cover the costs. Their Feed It Forward campaign is underway right now, a seasonal ask, for what seems like an endless effort.