“The most important social theme in building a truly sustainable city is community. Growing a community that is honest and caring can prevent people from slipping through the cracks and ending up in dangerous situations.”
Community Building with Vegas Stronger
Vegas Stronger has been busy this year with hosting events to expand their community engagement build stronger bonds between its members. Here are some of the bigger events hosted by Vegas Stronger for the purpose of building community this year:
Pop Up – Vegas Stronger Has hosted several “Pop Up”s in collaboration with another Las Vegas community partner, Project Homeless Connect, since the beginning of 2024. These Pop Ups provide free services and resources to visitors, including but not limited to: Housing Assessments, ID & Birth Certificate Services, Veteran Services, Medical Care, Medical Insurance, Mental Health Care, and Legal Aid.
Polar Plunge – Polar Plunge is an annual fundraiser that doubles as a fun challenge! Members of the Vegas Stronger staff, their clients, and the surrounding community are welcome to enter into a competition to see how long they can stand an ice bath. In addition, Vegas Stronger provides information on the physical and mental health benefits of ice baths.
Community Resource Fair – Every 3rd Wednesday of the Month, Vegas Stronger hosts a Resource Fair. The main difference between these and their Pop Ups is that this event is less focused on findings resources outside of Vegas Stronger and more focused on directly providing them then and there! Clients can receive free vision screenings, blood pressure checks, Medicaid assistance, and more!
Straumann Group Backpack Kits – Continuing to partner with other non-profits, Vegas Stronger worked with the Straumann Group to provide kits that contained blankets, ponchos, gloves, hygiene items, beanies, socks, and backpacks to Vegas Stronger clients.
Sober Bike Ride – New to this year and now happening every 3rd Thursday of the month, the Sober Bike Ride is an event hosted by Vegas Stronger to promote sobriety between AA meetings. During the event, community members bike from the Vegas Stronger lot to a BBQ cookout with all food provided for free.
International Women’s Day Celebration & Tea – This year for International Women’s Day, Vegas Stronger hosted a Tea Party with guest speakers from their Board and GRRRL Clothing to discuss the intersectionality of womanhood and homelessness, as well as provide education on sustainable clothing practices.
Earth Day Downtown Cleanup – After cleaning up the surrounding neighborhoods for Earth Day, community members could join Vegas Stronger for a cookout. Afterwards, they hosted a tree-planting and remembrance ceremony.
*Bonus!!!*
12 Days of Giving – For Christmas this past year, Vegas Stronger embraced the theme of giving and turned it into an opportunity to spend 12 days focusing on Las Vegas’ homeless and addicted populations. Their Days included:
- Transportation
- Hygiene Care
- Outreach
- 12 Step Classes
- Fitness & Nutrition
- Community Garden
- Case Management
- Daily Meals
- Spiritual Classes & Counsel
- Housing Assistance
- Uninsured Clients
- Building Maintenance