Kick-off event announces Grand Canyon Development Partners, EV&A Architects, Taney Engineering, Universal Engineering Sciences and Terra Contracting as project partners
LAS VEGAS – Today, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children kicked-off the initial stages of its Healing Center construction project to provide safe therapeutic homes for child victims of sex trafficking. The non-profit organization has selected Grand Canyon Development Partners, EV&A Architects, and Taney Engineering to move forward on the design and development of the Healing Center, the first of its kind in the country.
“The project partners connected with the St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s Healing Center initiative are premier design and development firms local to the Las Vegas Valley that have roots in this community,” said Sam Nicholson, President of Grand Canyon Development Partners. “In addition to a host of successful past projects as a collective, these partners are devoted to the vision of the Healing Center, which has infused the entire team with a drive for excellence, prioritizing the needs of the children and of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children at all times. Grand Canyon Development Partners is proud to be a leader amongst this collective and are excited to be a part of a project with the potential to be so impactful.”
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s Healing Center will sit on 15 acres of land with a series of individual therapeutic homes to help a growing victim population that has been enslaved and has nowhere else to turn. For more than a half century, the charity has been providing services to abused, neglected and homeless children and youth. This residential program is a natural extension of its programs and will provide a nurturing environment, survivor advocates and other critical services to child victims of sex trafficking. It will be the only residential treatment center, with these specific treatment housing options and services, in the country.
“EV&A is both delighted and honored to have been chosen as the architect for this remarkable and important project,” said Edward Vance, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of EV&A Architects. “EV&A strongly believes that everyone deserves good design all the time and we’ll endeavor to design the very best healing environment for the children of St. Jude’s Ranch.”
The project kick-off event concluded with drilling borings for geotechnical soil surveys, which were donated by Universal Engineering Sciences and Terra Contracting for $1 in honor of the project’s mission.
“We are honored to support the expansion of St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, an organization that is close to our hearts,” said James Bristow, Managing Partner of Universal Engineering Sciences, formerly known as NOVA Geotechnical & Inspection Services. “Alongside Terra Contracting, we are donating our geotechnical inspection and drilling services for the new Healing Center, and our team members regularly volunteer and make donations through the Red Heart Giving Society throughout the year.”
St. Jude’s Ranch for Children’s Healing Center master plan design and construction costs are estimated at $15 million. The charity has received a $4 million matching grant from the Engelstad Foundation, a $3 million grant from Clark County, and individual donor gifts. With more than half of the funds raised, the charity is continuing to pursue all avenues for funding and is encouraging the rest of the community to donate and help this young, enslaved victim population.
ABOUT ST. JUDE’S RANCH FOR CHILDREN
For more than 53 years, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children has been a community of healing and hope for children and young people. The 501(c)3 non-profit organization helps children and youth, ages zero to 25, who have been abused, neglected, exploited and/or homeless, by providing safety, stability, and healing in a caring environment. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children offers customized therapy, high-quality residential and transitional housing programs, and numerous supportive services, as well as opportunities to keep families and siblings together and spend time together when separated in foster care. The charity’s ultimate focus is to break the cycle of abuse and help children and young people become thriving positive members of the community. For more information visit stjudesranch.org or get social with us @StJudesRanch for Facebook and Twitter or stjudesranchforchildren on Instagram.
