NPHY Youth Leader, Nariyah, presenting her “Pull Up a Chair” project at the 2023 Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit.
Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth
BY CHANELLE HAYES / PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NEVADA PARTNERSHIP FOR HOMELESS YOUTH
Since 2001, the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) has offered basic needs resources, housing, education, employment, health and wellness, youth leadership development, and systems-level advocacy services and programs to support its mission of eliminating homelessness among youth in Southern Nevada.
“We invest in making sure that the young people in our community have an equitable chance at living a life just like many of us get to afford and enjoy,” said Arash Ghafoori, who has served as NPHY’s CEO since 2011. “Youth experiencing homelessness happens for very different reasons than any other homeless population. They experience it through no fault of their own and are often thrust into it, unpredictably, without any warning.”
From local schools, afterschool programs, churches, and organizations to outreach on a statewide level, Ghafoori said that educating people—everyone from youth to adults and policymakers—about the importance of youth homelessness is much needed.
That is what prompted NPHY to form the annual Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit. “As part of this work, we’ve established Southern Nevada’s first youth homelessness plan, which includes distinct strategies, interventions, and plans for youth funding streams. The City of Las Vegas adopted the plan through a vote of the City Council as the city’s response to youth homelessness, and Clark County also did the same thing.”
Entire youth group and NPHY staff who participating and facilitated the “Pull Up the Chair” Youth art project at the 2023 Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit.
Since launching in 2017, the Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit has become a vast advocacy platform for young people experiencing homelessness. “It has been very effective and gets results in the community that benefits every young person and every agency serving youth.”
Plans for the 2024 Summit are still in the works, but it will take place in November for National Homelessness Awareness Month and National Homeless Youth Awareness Month.
In addition to its advocacy efforts, the NPHY relies heavily on its comprehensive volunteer program to reach the youth. NPHY offers individual and group volunteer opportunities for anyone looking to get involved.
Barclay volunteers participating in Cookin’ for a Cause – cooking breakfast for NPHY’s Drop-In Center.
Through its Engage Me program, volunteers can introduce youth to something new. “It is about creating a safe setting for positive adults to interact with youth, with activities ranging from working on a project to teaching a skill set.” Other volunteer opportunities include assisting around NPHY’s Drop-In Center, preparing and serving meals, or assisting at youth outreach events like Feel Good Friday.
“NPHY’s volunteers are also a crucial part of executing various events and fundraisers, such as the ‘It’s a Wrap Holiday Block Party,’ one of our biggest events of the year,” said Ghafoori of the 8th annual event, which took place on December 16th at NPHY’s Drop-In Center.
The event, sponsored by Cox Communications, drew in more than 300 volunteers who came together for a festive outdoor outing to support the youth the NPHY serves. “This event turns NPHY’s Drop-In Center into a Santa’s workshop with so many different elements, ranging from creating personalized holiday cards to wrapping thousands and thousands of donated gifts, this year totaling more than $130,000 in value,” Ghafoori said.
NPHY’s Chief of Development & Strategy, Melissa Jacobowitz, presenting a thank you award to our Presenting Sponsors, COX Communications, NPHY Board Member and Director of Field Operations for COX Communications, Alan Livengood at NPHY’s “It’s a Wrap” Holiday Block Party
Even after the event, volunteers are still needed to help distribute the gifts throughout the community. “We were so thrilled with the outcome,” he says. “We do this event annually so that young people can experience joy around the holidays.”
There are many ways to support, from community outreach and advocacy to volunteering opportunities. “We work with everyone from big corporations to everyday people,” Ghafoori said. “Everyone contributes.”
Ghafoori’s passion for fulfilling NPHY’s mission comes from the effect and impact of the organization’s work. “What makes me happy is seeing what can happen when young people are afforded an opportunity, time, safety, and support to fulfill their dreams.”
For more information about the NPHY, visit www.nphy.org.
Audience filled with community leaders at the 2023 Nevada Youth Homelessness Summit