The Shade Tree (TST) is the only 24 hour-accessible shelter designed specifically to meet the needs of women and children in Southern Nevada. Since 1990, TST has served homeless and abused women and children. Many of those who stay at TST are victims of domestic abuse, elder abuse or street violence. Others who make TST their temporary home include female veterans, the elderly, the working poor and the physically disabled. These women and children do not receive just a place to stay and remain safe. They also receive an opportunity to rebuild their lives through the numerous programs the shelter offers.
TST’s mission is simple: to provide safe shelter to homeless and abused women and children in crisis and to offer life-changing services promoting stability, dignity and self-reliance.
Each year, it provides more than 80,791 nights of shelter with 364 permanent beds and 50 temporary beds for those in need. Beds are maintained at all times for crime victims, so those who are brought in by the police during the night will have a place to sleep. It also offers residential areas with sleeping rooms, libraries, training rooms, children’s play rooms, a kitchen, laundry facilities and showers. Last fiscal year, TST sheltered 3,987 women and children, including 1,421 under the age of 18. Residents at TST represent all ages, races, ethnic groups and educational levels.
“Women are sad and scared when they first come here,” said Brenda Dizon, executive director for TST. “We take our time and try to make them feel more comfortable, try to let them know there are many women here that have been in their situation. We want to be able to provide support, help and the means necessary for them to be able to leave.”
“We meet different needs at the Shade Tree,” said Dizon, “Women and children who are homeless or who have been abused receive immediate protection and safety. Then, we work with them to take the steps necessary for a normal life with stability, dignity and self-reliance, while teaching them how to break the cycle of homelessness and abuse.”
The Job Development program assists residents in getting a job, as well as developing skills, attitudes and abilities necessary to work up from lower-wage jobs to employment that enables residents to support themselves.
All services provided are free to the client, regardless of the length of stay, removing any barriers that may affect someone’s decision on whether to utilize this valuable resource.
TST continues to grow. The Las Vegas Furniture Show, a furniture exhibition held at the Sands Expo in July, worked with its exhibitors and provided truckloads of new furniture from the show. Later in the year, TST will open an animal shelter called Noah’s Animal House for the placement of family pets that can no longer stay with their families, or that would be harmed if left behind.
The organization, funded by city, county, state and federal agencies as well as private foundations, is a local agency with no national affiliation or support. Sixty-three percent of its $2.9 million budget is provided by local community support, and 94 cents of every dollar donated to TST is used for direct client services. Dizon pointed out that direct donations, fundraisers and special events are crucial to the continued success of TST as it continues to grow and work with an ever-increasing number of women and children in need.
“I am looking ahead to the opening of Noah’s Animal House,” said Dizon. “And then, the endless possibilities from there.”
The Shade Tree
1 West Owens
North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030
702-385-0072
www.theshadetree.org
