One-Stop Service Delivery Center Provides Self-Sufficiency Resources for Homeless

LAS VEGAS, June 13, 2005—Following an unprecedented collaboration of nonprofit, public and private-sector organizations, United Way of Southern Nevada (UWSN) unveils the Fertitta Community Assistance Center (FCAC), located at the Donald W. Reynolds St. Vincent’s Plaza on the campus of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, 1501 North Las Vegas Blvd. A permanent replacement facility for the MASH Village Crisis Intervention Center, which closed in 2002, the Center offers an expanded triage of professional services for at-risk populations.

The FCAC, a project that embodies UWSN’s Support for Self-Sufficiency Impact Area, is a 7,000-square-foot one-stop comprehensive service delivery center designed to serve the homeless and those at risk of homelessness. It offers multiple services and programs—under one roof—for women and children, veterans, seniors, individuals and families. Conceived through a grass-roots effort in late 2003, under UWSN’s leadership, Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, Clark County Social Service, the city of Las Vegas, the city of North Las Vegas and a host of private contractors stepped in to build out the Center, which is expected to see more than 60,000 people in need annually.

“After MASH Village closed its doors in 2002, there was uncertainty as to a permanent replacement facility. The Fertitta Community Assistance Center exceeds all of our expectations for what can be achieved when public, private and nonprofit groups work together for a common community goal,” said Dan Goulet, President and CEO for UWSN.

Thanks to a lead gift from the Frank Fertitta family to help launch the project and generous donations from KLAS-TV 8, Wells Fargo, assemblageSTUDIO, contractors, builders and labor, the project was completed at a cost of just $325,000. A sustaining operating budget is in place with five-year funding commitments from Clark County, the city of Las Vegas and UWSN. The long-term approach ensures the uninterrupted delivery of services.

“The city of Las Vegas has been working diligently with other agencies to provide these types of services on a regional level,“ said Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman. “A facility like this one that provides all these services under one roof is a positive step towards that goal and helping at-risk individuals.”

When clients arrive at the FCAC for the first time, Southern Nevada’s service providers will be positioned to administer efficient services tailored to address the specific needs of the homeless population. The Center houses government agencies such as Clark County Social Service, Nevada State Welfare Division and Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services, as well as nonprofit organizations including Courtney Children’s Foundation and Women’s Development Center.

“It is only through these kinds of collaborative efforts that we can ever hope to address our society’s most challenging problems,” said Clark County Manager Thom Reilly. “The donation of these private dollars means we can be more successful in getting the homeless off the streets and into housing. By placing various services in one location we reduce the chances that some homeless will fall through the cracks.”

The FCAC is equipped with a central intake system that allows clients, regardless of the services received, to provide personal information one time only. The Center’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) provides additional support services and referrals for clients needing help outside of those offered by agencies on site. Additionally, service providers will have the ability to gather and analyze demographic information on service recipients and gaps in service delivery in order to address long-term solutions to issues surrounding the at-risk population in Southern Nevada.

United Way of Southern Nevada is mobilizing our community’s resources to create sustained change to improve lives by partnering with government, corporate and private sector leaders. United Way supports agencies and programs devoted to improving lives in Southern Nevada through Access to Healthcare, Commitment to Education and Support for Self-Sufficiency. For more information about Southern Nevada’s most pressing needs and how United Way’s Community Impact work is improving lives, call 702-734-2273 or visit uwaysn.org.

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