“I don’t mind slicing the lunch meat and making sandwiches in the Catholic Charities Lied Dining Room kitchen,” said Steve, a homeless man in the Resident Work Program. “I’m off the street and I’m back to work. I finally feel like I’ve been given some hope.”
Homeless men like Steve come to Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada on a daily basis looking for help and hope to end their cycle of homelessness. Living on the street or losing everything as a result of a life crisis is demoralizing to the human spirit. Catholic Charities offers men a chance to rebuild their lives by participating in a structured program and environment. The goal of the program is to help men regain their dignity and become self-sufficient.
“Rebuilding one’s life is hard work,” said Monsignor Patrick R. Leary, executive director of Catholic Charities. “There are no time limits placed on the men in the program. We allow them the time they need to succeed.”
The Resident Work Program, located at the Donald W. Reynolds St. Vincent Plaza, is just one of the 19 social service programs offered by Catholic Charities, assisting infants through seniors.
Since 1985, thousands of homeless men have found a better life and a hand up from Catholic Charities. Some of Catholic Charities’ most valued employees today were once homeless people assisted by the Resident Work Program. The structured program offers employment opportunities, a secure place to sleep, three meals a day, clothing, laundry facilities, barbershop, mailing address and guidance from case workers.
Catholic Charities works with numerous companies in the Las Vegas Valley that hire men for day labor, which can lead to full-time employment. Mike Merrill, employment services manager, actively works with local businesses in the community seeking employment opportunities. “We want to keep our men in the program employed, so we are in daily contact with individuals, businesses and organizations to find new job possibilities.
Two years ago, Catholic Charities was awarded a grant by Clark County to start a pilot program for graffiti abatement. We now have trained technicians working seven days a week to attack the graffiti defacing businesses and neighborhoods. The new Graffiti Abatement Program is a win-win – it helps the community, while giving our men training in the painting trade.”
Currently, there are 230 men in the labor pool. An additional 75 men have obtained full-time employment, and 100 program assistants are acquiring job skills for employment through Catholic Charities’ 19 programs.
The Lied Dining Room prepares and serves more than 2,000 meals a day to hungry men, women and children. The men working in the kitchen gain beneficial training for job opportunities in the Las Vegas culinary industry. Housekeeping and maintenance is an ongoing responsibility for the eight-acre Catholic Charities campus and other program properties. Program assistants keep the offices, dormitories and campus grounds spotless.
The Donald W. Reynolds St. Vincent Plaza requires 24-hour security guard duty. Training is given to the program assistants assigned as security guards, increasing the opportunity for the men to find fulltime employment in the security field.
Catholic Charities Thrift Stores offer another opportunity for job training. Program assistants are gaining valuable retail store employment experience.
Each homeless man who enters Catholic Charities’ Resident Work Program will be provided the resources and guidance to succeed, but rebounding from homelessness requires self-determination. Catholic Charities relies upon community support from individuals and local businesses to help end the cycle of homelessness for these men.
Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
1501 Las Vegas Blvd. North
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-385-2662
Website: www.catholiccharities.com