The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 1 Table of Contents Features Pillar Articles Program Spotlight: NPI Youth Programs Do you have pre-existing conditions? Wild N’ Out Wednesdays Advisory Council, Stepping Know your risk. into Queendom, Prince to King & Camping Retreats These are dangerous times and you must take your p.4 risk seriously, talk with your doctor about your strate- gy for staying safe. The Birth of Nevada Partners p.11 With nearly 30 years of service, Nevada Partners has distinguished itself as a workforce leader and Education Exacerbates Education youth service provider. p.6 Disparities We have a lot of work to do. If you are passionate about education, consider joining the education and youth development pillar. Also in this Issue p.9 NPI Pillar Goals p.14 Become a Contact Tracer Homeownership is Possible To be successful as a contact tracer, the first thing p.17 you must understand is how COVID-19 is spread in Personal Profile the community. p.7 p.12 Apprentice Spotlight p.14 Dealing with a Deceased Relative’s Debt Board Member Spotlight If you’re in this situation and a debt collector calls, p.20 it’s important to know who is responsible for those Community Resources debts, and what a debt collector can & cannot do. p.21 p.13
Justice for George Floyd The thoughtless but completely preventable murder of George Floyd, 46, an unarmed black man who died on May 25th, 2020. p.8 Page 2 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS Congressman Horsford secured $10 million in additional unemployment benefit funding for Nevada. Apply for those benefits at UI.NV.gov or (702) 486-0350 Username/Password Reset: (702) 486-3293
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION LOANS SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance per small business and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Apply at SBA.gov/disaster. Or call 1-800-659-2955
CHILD NEEDS The organizations listed below are offering supplies such as diapers, baby formula, food, and infant clothing: 1. United Labor Agency of Nevada (ULAN): 702-648-3500 2. St. Jude’s Ranch for Children: 702-436-1624 3. Lutheran Social Services of Nevada: 702-639-1730 4. HELP of Southern Nevada: 702-369-4357
Project 150 Providing hygiene products to high school students and their families. Students must have a high school ID or verification of attendance in a CCSD high school for the current academic year. For more information contacts (702) 721-7150 or visit https://www.project150.org/
RENT AND MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE HopeLink of Southern Nevada Lutheran Social Services of Nevada 2309 N Renaissance Drive Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 4323 Boulder Highway Las Vegas, Nevada 89121 (702) 732-0304 (702) 639-1730
Nevada Partners Offering rental assistance for City of North Las Vegas residents affected by COVID-19. For more information please contact (702) 844-8000 or email [email protected]
NAHAC The Unemployment Mortgage Assistance Program (UMAP) is a federally funded program developed to provide temporary relief to homeowners who have experienced a loss of income due to unemployment or underemployment. The program helps homeowners who have lost their job through no fault of their own, specifically due to the coronavirus outbreak, and are receiving Nevada State Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB). For assistance please call (888) 320-6526
UTILIY ASSISTANCE HELP of Southern Nevada For assistance please email [email protected] with your name and phone number
Nevada Partners Offering utility assistance for City of North Las Vegas residents affected by COVID-19. For more information please contact (702) 844-8000 or email [email protected]
TAX PREPARATION Nevada Free Taxes Coalition Offering free tax preparation by appointments and drop-offs. Email [email protected] or call (702) 987-4625.
The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 3 Program Spotlight
WILD N’ OUT WEDNESDAYS ADVISORY COUNCIL Wild N’ Out Wednesdays Advisory Council President, Amarri In 2016, Nevada Partners developed the Wild N’ Out Burns, states “we understand the importance of having Wednesdays (WOW) Advisory Council, a youth-led, year- productive programs to participate in during the summertime round program that provides young adults (17-24) with the and the importance of having that safe space. Therefore, opportunity to learn about civic engagement and social we want to take accountability and create that space for our change. WOW meets every Wednesday at 4 pm to discuss peers.” The Takeover will include partnerships with Simply issues within the Promise Neighborhood and highlight Pure, City of Las Vegas, Microsoft, CodeSwitch, Los Angeles’ solutions and effective programming to meet the need of Full Frequency Media Productions, Quiet Storm Foundation, community residents, especially young adults. WOW aims to and many more. Additionally, Wild N’ Out Wednesdays will be positively impact young adults through hands-on leadership collaborating with Touro University and College of Southern development, community service, and civic engagement. Nevada to facilitate upcoming Dinner & Dialogue events.
Wild N’ Out Wednesdays Advisory Council is responsible NEVADA PARTNERS: for the creation of many Nevada Partners youth-focused STEPPING INTO QUEENDOM events ranging from our In 2017, Nevada Partners in collaboration with PACT Coalition quarterly Dinner & Dialogue developed and implemented Stepping into Queendom. The Issues Forum, Annual Health program follows an evidence-based curriculum created by & Wellness Block Parties, and the “Women’s Circle”. The premise of this 6-week program is our Annual Black History Film to give young ladies (12-24) a safe outlet to discuss everyday Screening & Discussion Panel. issues and tackle important subjects such as: Currently, these dynamic and dedicated youth are currently • Healthy Relationships working on designing a • Body Image plethora of free and effective • Who Am I? summer programs for youth • Emotional Wellness and young adults within the • Financial Freedom community called, “2020 Summer Virtual Takeover.” Page 4 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press NEVADA PARTNERS EXPOSES YOUTH TO THE Additionally, these young women are provided with the OUTDOORS opportunity to gain exposure to outside activities such as Since the inception of Nevada Partners Camping Retreats camping and college tours. The program has evolved in 2016, we have taken over 150 youth to the mountains into a structured support group for young women and for a weekend of fun, reconnection, self-exploration, and aims to counteract social and interpersonal forces that enrichment. With the support of PACT Coalition, City of impede young women’s Las Vegas-Batteries Included growth and development Program, Jobs for Nevada’s in an emotionally safe Graduates (J4NG), The Center, environment. Clark County School District, Given the health crisis, and various non-profits that Nevada Partners focus on youth development, we continues to host Stepping have created this impactful and into Queendom every memorable platform for countless Wednesday (6PM-8PM) youth to explore relationship via Zoom. Nevada dynamics, communication Partners understands patterns, and healthy ways to the necessity of having make decisions as it relates to our a consistent and reliable “safe space” for young women, well-being. especially of color. Stepping into Queendom’s most recent cohort launched on April 6, 2020, with 14 participants. Visit Our camping retreats helps empower youth in becoming nevadapartners.org for additional information or to sign up. responsible and productive members of their community. This multi-day camping experience encourages youth to NEVADA PARTNERS: PRINCE TO KING engage in deep introspection with guidance and support In response to the high-demand for male-gender focused from experienced and certified life coaches, therapists, programming, in 2018, Nevada Partners collaborated with a advocates, and youth-development experts. Youth have local youth advocate to launch the Prince to King Program. the opportunity to escape their normal environments and The primary goal of this 6-week program is to empower disconnect from their reality. young men to pursue educational, employment, and social goals while improving in the Since 2016, we have taken area of general life skills. In youth to Mount Potosi, 2020, this program continues Nevada and Orderville, Utah. to flourish and impact young We understand the value men of color within the in exposure. We believe in Promise Neighborhood. taking youth outside of their neighborhood, zip code, and In collaboration with Iron city to be introduced to other Sharpens Iron Mentoring, facades of life. It warms the we launched a brand new heart of our staff when youth cohort on May 25, 2020. We shout out in excitement, are working with 10 young “WOW, they have trees out men (16-17) for six weeks to here and it’s so pretty and ensure they develop the necessary interpersonal skills to green” and “I’ve never seen a deer or squirrel before.” We succeed in life. This program not only provides hands-on have a moral obligation to expose our youth to other parts leadership development, but provides young men with the of the world, besides their neighborhoods. opportunity to travel, attend college road trips, engage in social development, and community service. Prince to King In January 2020, we took over 60 youth to Mount Potosi, continues to provide opportunities for young men of color to Nevada to engage in this 3-day camping extravaganza. engage, challenge, celebrate, develop, and unite as young Currently, Nevada Partners is working with the Department men. Visit nevadapartners.org for additional information or of Family Services Independent Living Program to establish to sign up. collaboration for an upcoming 7-day camping retreat. Visit nevadapartners.org for additional information or to sign up.
The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 5 The Birth of Nevada Partners With nearly 30 years of service, Nevada Partners has distinguished itself as a workforce leader and youth service provider.
How it all began. In the wake of unprecedented civil unrest, emerged as the central pain point. Governor Bob Miller, Nevada Partners launched in 1992 as a solution to the despair City of Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones, and many others and hopelessness that destroyed the Westside during the met with pastors and community leaders to address West Las Vegas Riots. Rioting erupted the day after four the real issues plaguing Westside residents, like high Los Angeles Police Department officers were acquitted in unemployment, trauma, violence, food insecurity, crime and the highly publicized beating of Rodney King. Even though under-performing schools. The idea of establishing Nevada the West Las Vegas Riots existed in the shadows of the Partners, a trusted organization dedicated to responding to more famous Los Angeles Riots, it was just as damaging community needs, was born. Many others contributed to and dangerous. West Las Vegas rioters destroyed an entire the momentum, including the Mirage Corporation, Nevada strip mall, two police substations and torched a gas station. Power, Bank of America, the Horseshoe Hotel, MGM, and Fire crews and ambulances were escorted by police in particularly casino developer, Kirk Kerkorian, who personally the riot areas to battle blazes and carry out the injured but donated more than a million dollars to establish the 10-acre retreated due to gunfire. Two dozen people suffered injuries campus where Nevada Partners still calls home in the heart and an 18-year-old Rancho High school student lost his of West Las Vegas. life. As a result, sixteen schools were closed, mail delivery was canceled, government offices were shut down, and Recognized by the White House as a Model Workforce numerous privately-owned businesses were destroyed. The Program. Nevada Partners’ mission is to build a healthy, Las Vegas Fire Department officially assessed the damages sustainable community where all residents achieve their to be approximately $6 million. full potential through effective education, meaningful employment, safe and affordable housing, and vibrant A Diverse Coalition of Cross-Sector Leaders Come civic and cultural engagement. Since its founding nearly Together. While the destruction negatively affected many 30 years ago, Nevada Partners has trained thousands of lives, the emotions of being oppressed and treated unjustly residents for the workforce and administered more than $40
Page 6 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press million in Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) • 14,354 adults completed HUD-mandated programs and services, while exceeding federal measures. homebuyer education programs One of the state’s largest workforce development agencies, • $19.7 million in down payment assistance Nevada Partners has been recognized by the White House provided to first-time homebuyers as a model workforce program. Over the last five years, our • 752 homes purchased services have resulted in a return on investment of over $50 million in wages earned by residents. Still Growing and Responding to Community Needs: In alignment with our growth strategy, last year, Nevada Partners Nationally Recognized First-Time Homebuyer Program. opened a 16,800 square foot Community Learning Center Additionally, Nevada Partners works to increase economic (CLC), which is a site and strategy for our place-based, empowerment among residents and helps residents reduce collective impact approach, the West Las Vegas Promise debt, increase savings, improve credit and establish safe Neighborhood. Promise Neighborhoods are successful banking relationships. Ultimately, the key to building wealth in breaking the cycle of generational poverty in areas of is homeownership. As a result of our work in this area, concentrated poverty. Ultimately, Nevada Partners creates Nevada Partners has been recognized by the United States opportunities by simultaneously equipping families with a Senate for our contributions and achievements in the real cradle-to-career continuum of educational and employment estate industry through our first-time homebuyer program opportunities that propel distressed communities toward generating more than $3 million annually in down payment economic equality and long-term economic success. assistance. Over the last five years:
The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 7 Justice forGeorge Floyd The categorical devaluation of black lives stings like neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. This officer had 18 alcohol poured on a gaping wound. The collective injury prior complaints filed against him. Chauvin has now been of injustice is still newly agitated by the shooting death of charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Ahmaud Arbery by a white father and son who decided that Arbery must be guilty of a string of break-ins as he Enough is Enough jogged through the South Georgia neighborhood in an effort to stay fit. No encounter with the police can end in death whether you’re being stopped for a failure to signal in Texas, Arbery was killed three days before the like Sandra Bland, 28; or Eric Garner, 28, anniversary of the 2012 killing of Trayvon who died after a white New York City police Martin, the unarmed African-American offer placed him in a chokehold during teenager whose confrontation with a an arrest for selling loose cigarettes. Florida neighborhood watch captain, Even our own community has dealt George Zimmerman, helped ignite with the use of deadly force against the Black Lives Matter movement. Byron Lee Williams, 50, who was stopped for riding a bike without a safety And now, the world witnesses the thoughtless light. Thankfully, our community is desperately but completely preventable murder of George trying to do better. Just last week, Metro published Floyd, 46, an unarmed black man who died on a new Use of Force policy in an effort to prevent Monday after a confrontation with Derek Chauvin, a these tragedies from occurring in our community. police officer in Minneapolis, who had his knee on Floyd’s
Page 8 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press Being black should not be a risk factor, but it is. We’ve got to do better. In the coming weeks, Nevada Partners will be issuing a community-wide call-to-action for everyone who believes that justice and a racially equitable society is the goal. It doesn’t matter what color you are if you believe that the American dream must be accessible, affordable, and attainable for every citizen regardless of race, creed, or color.
The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 9 Additionally, if we are going to make an investment in meaningful technology, we must provide laptops - devices that yield the greatest use and benefit.
While having access to one device (typically a cellphone) is better than nothing, it is unreliable due to data limits and loss of service due to lack of payment. Moreover, there are limitations on the kinds of educational activities that can be accomplished using your thumbs. Educational tasks include:
• Checking grades • Homework • Research/Finding Information • Watching educational videos • Email/Messaging between teacher/student • Writing essays/papers • Completing individual and group projects • Reading textbooks/books The COVID-19 pandemic and the associated disruption to • Accessing school-related apps students and school systems may be the biggest educational equity crisis in our lifetime. We are witnessing how the Having access to technology has always been important, novel coronavirus has exposed and widened disparities in but now it is essential to educational success. We cannot American education. The equity implications of these gaps allow geography, income, or racial disparities in technology and impacts on learning have been brought into sharper to persist. The gap between people who have sufficient focus as our school district grapples with the COVID-19 knowledge of and access to technology and those who do crisis. not is known as the digital divide.
With the necessary mandate of school closures, for the As we insecurely begin thinking about the fall, the question first time in history, distance learning became the is not whether schools will physically re-open or what primary vehicle for education delivery in public social distancing guidelines they will try to mandate? education. Some schools were able to rapidly The question is what level of safety can we make the transition using Google Classroom, realistically expect? Will we ignore the death Khan Academy, YouTube and other digital toll in favor of pretending we can resume tools. These students had the required normalcy or that we’re in control of virus devices, connectivity, and support. transmission? Whatever the situation, CCSD needs to be spending the Many students living in West Las summer outlining several contingency Vegas did not have access to a device, plans that recognize the uncertain times reliable internet, or the support at home to we’re living in and the students who are most make a successful transition to digital learning. vulnerable and already victims of educational Sadly, even those who did have access to at least inequities. one device (mostly a cell phone) were not able to move forward since access to instruction was uneven. For this reason, the Education and Youth pillar have Therefore, fourth quarter was simply a weekly attendance made achieving educational equity the center of its work. check with absolutely no instruction or learning taking place. As a part of the West Las Vegas Promise Neighborhood, the Education and Youth Pillar works to produce actionable To put it succinctly, the most critical gaps we must overcome evidence through its academic equity audit to guide thought to support a more equitable 2020-2021 school year are leadership and inform change in policy and practice that will access to devices and reliable connections to the internet. lead to improved learning and achievement. Page 10 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press We must re-envision education given the necessity of full-time distance and online learning. Access to technology is essential to educational success. With all of the CARES Act funding, do we have sufficient resources to close the gap? For policy makers and organizational leaders, here is the to-do list:
We have a lot of work to do. If you are passionate about education, consider joining the education and youth development pillar. We would love to meet with you and get you connected. Please call 702.844.8000 or email us at [email protected]. The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 11 As the economy begins to open up, remember that you strategy with a doctor familiar with your medical history. must be an advocate for your own health. Nothing has changed. There is no vaccine or treatment, and we still Heart Disease don’t know who has the coronavirus because testing Advanced age, high blood pressure, and underlying is not yet widespread. Moreover, if you have a cardiac issues all raise your risk for infection, preexisting condition, you are even more at according to the American Heart Association. risk. Which preexisting conditions are most As many as 40 percent of COVID-19 dangerous? Keep reading . . . patients who required hospitalization had existing cardiovascular disease, Not all preexisting conditions according to the American College of present the same risk. So, if you have Cardiology. a preexisting condition that affects the same organs that the virus attacks, you are Autoimmune Diseases likely to become severely ill. If you have any If you have an autoimmune disorder, like of the following conditions, you want to be extra rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, careful. Hashimoto’s, or Sjogren’s, you are prone to have 1. Obesity severe complications after catching the virus than the 2. Diabetes general public. Complications are due to suppressed 3. Cancer immune systems, either by the disease or by medications, 4. Heart disease to treat the autoimmune disorder. This means that your 5. Asthma, COPD, and other respiratory diseases immune system is impaired and is less capable of fighting 6. Autoimmune disorders infections. Scientists state that having several underlying Obesity health conditions will increase your chances of having severe complications. What makes you especially at risk? According to research, adipose tissue (fat) is now known as an endocrine and These are dangerous times and you must take your risk immune organ that can directly inhibit metabolic and immune seriously. If you are working, get a note from your doctor and function. A 2018 study of influenza patients over three flu let HR know about your vulnerabilities. Advocate for yourself seasons found that obese adults took 42 percent longer to with passion. No one is going to guard your health more fight off the virus that those who had a healthy weight. passionately than you. If you need some help with strategies to stay safe, the CDC has some guidelines. Nevada Partners Diabetes also has resources to help you navigate this present crisis. High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is an inflammatory disease Take every precaution to protect yourself and talk with your that inhibits the immune response and increases your doctor about your strategy for staying safe. vulnerability to infection. Hence, patients with uncontrolled high blood sugar are particularly at risk.
Cancer Cancer patients are more vulnerable to infection because both cancer and its treatments reduce white blood cell count. If you’re a cancer patient or survivor, discuss your stay-safe Page 12 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press and the possibility that they could spread the infection to others even if they don’t have symptoms. • Encourage contacts to stay home and maintain social distancing from others (at least six feet) until 14 days after their last exposure.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, the job demands: • An understanding of patient confidentiality, including the ability to conduct interviews without violating confidentiality. • Understanding the medical terms and principles of exposure, infection, infectious period, potentially infectious interactions, symptoms of disease, pre- symptomatic and asymptomatic infection. • Excellent and sensitive interpersonal, cultural sensitivity, and interviewing skills such that they can build and As we begin to navigate the re-opening of Nevada, mass maintain trust with patients and contacts. testing and contact tracing are the keys to opening safely. • Basic skills for crisis counseling, and the ability to COVID-19 testing is meaningless without contact tracing, confidently refer patients and contacts for further care, which involves notifying every person who has been in close if needed. contact with an infected individual. These contacts must be • Resourcefulness in locating patients and contact who notified immediately so that they can self-quarantine and may be difficult to reach or reluctant to engage in prevent further spread of the disease. conversation. • Understanding when to refer individuals or Close contacts are advised to self-quarantine for 14 situations to medical, social, or supervisory days — thought to be the incubation period of the resources. virus — from the time of exposure. They also are asked to take their temperatures and To be successful as a contact tracer, monitor for symptoms of the disease the first thing you must understand and, if symptoms develop, get tested. is how COVID-19 is spread in the community. Watch this video to begin Contact tracing with testing and understanding how. Contact tracers must quarantining can flatten the curve and break know and understand what we know about the cycle of transmission. Without a vaccine or how the virus is spread. cure, this is our only line of defense against this easily transmissible and deadly disease. If you’re interested in becoming a contact tracer and work from home serving any community in the United The Need for More Contact Tracers States, email us your resume with the subject line “Contact Contact Tracer Job Duties Tracer” to [email protected]. Get trained and be ahead of the curve to flatten the curve.! Contact Tracers: • Work with patients to help them recall everyone with whom they have had close contact during the time frame while they may have been infectious. • Warning exposed individuals (contacts) of their potential exposure as rapidly and sensitively as possible. • Protect the privacy of the patient who exposed them. • Give contacts education, information, and support to understand their risk, what they should do to separate themselves from others, monitor themselves for illness, The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 13 After a relative dies, the last thing grieving family members want are calls from debt collectors asking them to pay a loved one’s debts. If you’re in this situation and a debt collector calls, it’s important to know who is responsible for those debts, and what a debt collector can — and cannot — do to collect payment. As a rule, those debts are paid from the deceased person’s estate. Here are some things to know from the Federal Trade to pay. Commission: • You have rights. If you think you don’t owe some (or all) of the debt, or you just don’t recognize it, • A debt doesn’t go away when a person dies. But send the collector a letter disputing it. Be as that doesn’t (usually) mean you owe it, either. The specific as possible about why you think the deceased person’s estate owes the debt. If there debt is wrong – but give as little personal isn’t enough money in the estate to cover information as possible. Once you get the debt, it typically goes unpaid. There the validation notice (which says are some exceptions, though. For how much you owe, to whom, and example, you could be responsible what to do if you don’t think you if you were a co-signer, or in some owe the debt), you have 30 cases if you’re the person’s spouse. days to send the dispute letter. Learn about other possible exceptions By law, the collector then must to the rule here. stop contacting you – though the debt • Debt collectors may only talk with certain doesn’t go away. But, if the collector sends people about a deceased person’s debt. you written verification of the debt, they can Collectors can discuss the debt with the deceased start contacting you again. If the collection calls person’s spouse, parent (if the deceased was a minor get to be too much, you can stop them. Just send child), guardian, executor or administrator, or any other the collector a letter telling them to stop contacting you person authorized to pay debts with assets from the and the estate. Keep a copy for your records. Stopping estate. The debt collector may not talk to anyone else the calls won’t cancel the debt. You still might be sued about these debts. If they don’t know how to reach the or have debt reported to a credit bureau. right person, they can contact other relatives to ask for the correct contact information. But they can call each Report any problems you have with a debt collector to your person only once, and they can’t get into the details of state Attorney General’s office at naag.org and the Federal the debt or ask the relative for payment on these calls Trade Commission at ftccomplaintassistant.gov. Many states to gather contact info. have their own debt collection laws that are different from the • Debt collectors may not bend the truth to make you federal FDCPA. Your Attorney General’s office can help you pay. Debt collectors cannot lie or imply that you or any determine your rights under your state’s law. other family member legally has to pay the estate’s debts out of your own pocket. It’s illegal for them to For more information, read Debts and Deceased Relatives harass you to pay the debt yourself. If the deceased left on the Federal Trade Commission website. debts and no assets, it’s usually not your responsibility
Page 14 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press Healthy Children, Families & Communities To reduce health disparities while improving the quality of life and increasing the life expectancy of West Las Vegas Promise Neighborhood residents.
Education & Youth Development To establish educational equity within the West Las Vegas Promise Neighborhood schools through policy recommendations and program implementation.
The Future of Work To increase long-term, meaningful employment with a livable wage to West Las Vegas Promise Neighborhood residents while providing a reliable and productive employee for local employers. Affordable Housing & Wealth Creation Increase homeownership and wealth among West Las Vegas Promise Neighborhood residents.
Civic Participation & Social Justice To support civic engagement among WLVPN residents as well as connect with lawmakers to support policy change that propels economic equity and social justice.
The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 15 Page 16 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 17 Housing Success Stories THE PALAFOX FAMILY BY ELA GARCIA
Sergio and Leslie Palafox are young newlyweds with a gorgeous baby girl named Valarie. Sergio and Leslie both work at the Aria Resort and Casino. The couple has worked at the Aria for less than 3 years but that did not stop them from making their dream come true. The couple first heard about the Culinary and Bartenders Housing Partnership Program through their sister Laura Palafox who also purchased a house using the same program and the lender who helped throughout the process. They attended orientation at the end of November 2018 and completed the required 8-hour home buyer education class two months later. Once Leslie and Sergio got their certificate they had the lender send over the lender package to us (1003, Loan Estimate, Credit Report & Preapproval).
A NEW HOME FOR NEW BEGINNINGS.... Once we received the package we contacted the clients and scheduled them for their pre-purchase counseling in late March. They came in very prepared with the help of their sister and lender who gave them advice and helped prepare them for the meeting. However, once we completed the pre-purchase counseling the clients were not able to get the Greenlight Letter because of some missing pay stubs and their realtor needed to be approved. They received their approval to start their home search on May 1st less than two months after their pre-purchase counseling. In less than a week they entered into contract and were scheduled to close escrow on the day their daughter turned 1 years old. The perfect present for this beautiful family and an opportunity to start a new chapter in their life.
Leslie and Sergio found the perfect home and neighborhood to raise their daughter Valerie for the bargain price of $220,000.00. The home is in an up and coming community on the north end of Las Vegas. The home is very spacious and has 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. It’s just over 1,090 square feet. The perfect place for the Palafox’s’ to raise their baby girl. The house was recently renovated with beautiful new flooring and even came with a Jacuzzi they can enjoy. Leslie and Sergio did an amazing job in communicating with Nevada Partners and all the professionals involved in the process. The clients did so well they closed before their scheduled close of escrow and on Valerie’s birthday. The couple was able to celebrate this new chapter in their lives and Valarie’s first birthday in their new home! Page 18 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press ERIC AND AVEGAILE JIMENEZ BY ELA GARCIA
Eric and Avegaile Jimenez are a very hard working couple dedicated to providing their boys (ages 14 and 9) with a strong foundation for their future. Eric and Avegaile moved to Las Vegas from San Fransisco, California in search ofa new beginning and also to be closer to their family. Eric moved to Las Vegas in February 2018 and found a job a few months later at the MGM Grand as a Housperson. Once he settled in he sent for his wife and children. Avegaile found a job as a Concierge at the MGM Grand and shortly after they started thinking about purchasing a home. Eric first heard about the Culinary and Bartenders Housing Partnership Program through a flyer and through the union. Eric and Avegaile completed the Orientation and Homebuyers Education in mid-July 2019. Two months after receiving his Home Buyers Education certificate they visited their lender Brenda Casas and asked her to send over the lender package to us (1003, Loan Estimate, Credit Report & Pre-approval).
Once we received the package, we contacted Avegaile and scheduled them for their pre-purchase counseling on September 25th, 2019. Avegaile made sure they came in very prepared however, once we completed the pre-purchase counseling the couple was not able to get the Greenlight Letter because there was an error on their tax returns and they also needed an approved realtor to assist with their purchase. Avegaile contacted their tax preparer and got it all figured out that same week! Eric and Avegaile interviewed a few realtors and hired Michelle Stiles. After providing the information needed, they received the Greenlight Letter to start their home search.
After two days of receiving our approval they entered into contract and were scheduled to close on November 22nd. Eric and Avegaile found the perfect home near their family’s neighborhood for the price of $282,000. Their new home is located in a gated community near their boy’s school. The home is very spacious with a loft for the boys to enjoy all to themselves! The home recently went through a “face lift” and got brand new kitchen appliances, granite counter tops, new cabinets and back splash in the kitchen. The home also has new laminate hardwood flooring and pre-wired surround sound in the living room. The Jimenez family made sure their closing went smoothly by providing all the required documents and staying in constant communication with the professionals involved. The Jimenez closed their loan over a week before their scheduled close of escrow. The family is grateful for their new home and content with their interest rate of 3.875% and monthly payments of $1,255 on a loan amount of $266,975. We are making homes possible for everyone!
The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 19 How did you get involved with Nevada Accomplishments: Partners? My son and daughter are extremely well Grew up five blocks away. It’s first President adjusted, loved and confident in their own Mujahid Ramadan and it’s immediate past skin. chairperson, Rose McKinney James were both mentors of mine. I have had family Obstacles you have overcome: members take advantage of its services. I had a learning disability and was a special There was no way to grow up in Historic West education student with a speech impediment. Las Vegas and not know about the good work Nevada Partners was doing. Favorite quote: “I, too, sing America. Choose three words best describe you: Curious • Relentless • Passionate I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen What is your current goal?: When company comes, Help stabilize the Las Vegas community and But I laugh, economy post-COVID-19. And eat well, And grow strong.“ -”I, Too” by Langston Hughes
Page 20 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press A statuesque 5’9, Monica Ford enters the loft at Nevada Partners on the phone. Her expressive features communicate it all. Whoever’s on the other line, they have her complete attention. They probably need something and she will be sure that they get it.
Her phone is her connection to the community. It rings, beeps, and buzzes constantly with requests for help, invitations to events, reports about people, and sometimes, a person who just needs someone to talk to. Everyone needs her. She advises politicians, sheriffs, high-profile executives, other organizations, neighbors, and is also a mothering figure to her staff of 13. Good mothers care for you. She builds you up, holds you accountable, and disciplines you when you need it. Lizette Guillen, a veteran NPI staff member of 15 years, says, “We’re like her babies. She’s very protective.”
As a central figure in the community, the current racial climate weighs heavily on her. Her naturally abundant lashes sweep her face. Her eyes get a little red and glassy as she expresses her disappointment in the current state of our society. For a person who has been solving problems all her life, this one seems more formidable. Usually, she relies on her family’s motto adopted from the Ford car company: “Built Ford Tough.” She is tough. To her, all problems are solvable; and therefore, no problem at all.
She divulges, “I want to help people, I want freedom for After returning home for a spell, her next stop was the Air people. We are witnessing this cycle of injustice, and people Force. While in the military, she earned a bachelor’s degree are not being treated fairly. I’ve got to keep fighting for what in business management from Park University and an I believe in. This is the legacy my father left me. I’ve been MBA in Human Resource Management/Human Relations attending rallies and conferences since I was five.” from Oklahoma University. Just for kicks, she completed the first year of law school at the University of Arizona. Born and raised in Tucson, Arizona, the daughter of three over- Never intending to practice law, she just wanted a deeper achieving parents, succeeding, winning, and overcoming is understanding of the law. a way of life for her. Her father, Dr. Charles Ford, was the first and only African-American vice mayor of Tucson and So when she joined Nevada Partners in 2007 as the Vice principal of several schools within the Tucson Unified School President of Human Resources, she was a perfect fit. District. Her mother, Gladys Ahmad, an educator, and her Recognizing her vast knowledge, experience, and innate step-mother, Dr. Doris Ford, a psychologist, significantly ability to lead, she became the President and CEO in contributed to the woman she has become. Unlike most 2010. Responsible for helping thousands of residents find African-American Gen Xers, she was not a first-generation employment, creating innovative programs for youth, and college student. She was born into a highly-educated family, continuing to build on NPI’s 10-acre campus, Monica Ford’s mostly achieving terminal degrees. Is it any wonder that she legacy is secured at the tender age of 49. skipped two grades and graduated high school at 15 years old? I asked the divorced mother of two brilliant beauties, Monique, 29, and Makiya, 22, what’s next for her? Ms. Ford She joined her older sister at Spelman college at 16. Always has accomplished so much, so fast. Not ready to answer a bit of a rebel, her sister was not ready to deal with an a question about herself, she speaks proudly about her unsupervised and unhinged little sister in Atlanta with the all- children. Her wide smile beams as she talks about her male Morehouse College across the street. She suggested daughters. Both girls are college educated, and the baby that her parents come to get her and perhaps try college is currently living in Japan and on her way to med school. life again in a few years when she’s older. Knowing their She defines her role as a mother as the best thing that has daughter, they complied. ever happened to her. “My girls are my greatest teachers. They opened me up and gave me something to live for. I am
The Partner Press Nevada Partners, Inc. Page 21 energized by our amazing relationships.”
I press again, what’s next for you personally? She stares intensely right back at me for several seconds, perhaps weighing the option of being totally transparent or providing an answer fit for profiles like this. She chose transparency, “I don’t know,” she said. “What’s most important is that I live life with purpose and on purpose. I’d like to help other women. I’d like to operate out of my spiritual gifts . . .”
I realize as she’s talking that the life she lives now is not for herself. She places the needs of others before her own and carries the burden of the entire community. That burden is heavy. To survive it, she frequently travels internationally to re- energize. With all that she’s carrying, a plan to decompress is imperative. She picks up her phone and looks at her screen. She looks at me, points to her screen saver, and says, “I want this.” I read it for myself. “Create a life you don’t need a vacation from.” I smile back at her trying to imagine what a life like that would consist of for her. I am confident that it is undoubtedly the life that she deserves.
What’s next for Monica Ford professionally? She responds quickly, “Professionally, I am just where I want to be. My goals are to ensure that our community does not continue to be unheard. I am an advocate for marginalized communities. Ultimately, the goal will always be to educate, inspire, bring awareness and to assist our community in dismantling the injustices in our society. At NPI, we live by the quote that’s on my wall in my office: Be the change we want to see in the world. There’s no greater challenge.
Aletta Banks trained to be in construction at Nevada Partners. A student in the Build Nevada Pre-Apprentice program, we knew that Aletta Banks was not afraid of heights and that was a good thing.
Currently, the Las Vegas native is an apprentice glazier for District Council 16-Glaziers, Arch. Metal & Glass Workers Local Union 2001. She is working on the translucent roof for the new 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium, the $1.8 billion domed stadium scheduled for completion in August that will be home to the Las Vegas Raiders and UNLV Rebels football teams.
“I love my work and love being up in the air,” said Aletta, a mother of three. “I’ve been an apprentice for six months and for the past month, I’ve been installing moving joints at Allegiant Stadium so when the roof expands, it doesn’t break. I’m the only glazier woman on the 30-person crew but treated as just another member of the team.” Glaziers install glass in windows, skylights, and other fixtures informing me that I had been accepted into the program. I in storefronts and buildings. Glazing apprentices learn the started attending classes and learned a lot in a short period safe use of trade equipment such as glass cutters, putty of time while earning various certifications. Then, I passed knives, hack saws, drills, hammers, caulking guns and pry my written exams and oral interviews. I succeeded and here bars. Power tools may include drill motors, rotor-hammers, I am!” chop saws, screw guns, welding equipment and glass lifting apparatus. An apprentice also receives training in other Aletta has three more years as an apprentice, but already areas such as CPR/First Aid, OSHA Health & Safety, and knows that her future is as a glazier. blueprint reading. “This is a wonderful trade for me,” she said. “I get to see my completed work and know that I helped build a part of the “Before this, I was a public transit bus driver,” said Aletta. stadium. This is now my profession and any person, man or “One day, I was talking to a lady and she told me how she woman, who is smart enough and has the ability to succeed, found her job via Nevada Partners and Build Nevada. She can do what I have done. I feel very good about myself.” said I could learn a building trade, so I checked it out the very next day. I applied and received a call a week later
Page 22 Nevada Partners, Inc. The Partner Press Summer | 2020
Graphic Designer Christopher Felton Executive Producer Kenadie Cobbin-Richardson
President/CEO Monica Ford Executive Director Kenadie Cobbin-Richardson Director of Admin & Operations Lizette Guillen Director of Human Resources/Project Manager Yvette Thomas Director of Finance JoAnn Arguello Housing Supervisor Fidelia Soberanis Project Manager/Youth Program Manager Larmaya “CeCe” Kilgore Staff Accountant Sandra Spencer Housing Program Specialist Ela Garcia Housing Program Underwriter Stephanie Schwartz Case Manager Marlon Dumont Executive Assistant Beverly Hernandez
Board Chair Uri Clinton Board Members Chris Brooks Vinetta De La Cruz Congressman Steven Horsford Rose McKinney-James Shaundell Newsome
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