[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10660]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING HELP OF SOUTHERN NEVADA

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 40 year 
anniversary of HELP of Southern Nevada, a nonprofit organization 
providing Nevadans with housing, emergency services, life skills and 
prevention--the four cornerstones for which its name is an acronym. 
HELP has served as a vital resource to hundreds of thousands of 
Nevadans, and continues to provide unwavering support to our 
communities.
  HELP was first created out of the Junior League of Las Vegas in 1969, 
and called the Voluntary Action Center. They incorporated a year later, 
in 1970, and became one of Nevada's premier resource centers for the 
disadvantaged. In that year, HELP provided its services to 300 people 
in southern Nevada. Today, they serve 55,000 distinct clients every 
year.
  The services HELP offers range from financial assistance with rent 
and transportation costs, to providing meals to families during the 
holidays. A focus on providing practical assistance in gaining self-
sufficiency makes HELP one of southern Nevada's greatest social service 
providers. Its services include seven different areas of support: 
Community Alternative Sentencing, Holiday Programs, Nevada 2-1-1, 
Social Services, Weatherization, Work Opportunities Readiness Center--
W.O.R.C., and the Youth Center.
  To highlight a few of the great contributions of HELP of Southern 
Nevada, let me tell you about the Community Alternative Sentencing 
programs and the Youth Center. The Community Alternative Sentencing 
Program offers hope to individuals facing incarceration and other 
sanctions. In lieu of these penalties, individuals give their times and 
services to aiding nonprofits in community service. In addition to the 
productive and illuminating experience this program offers its 
participants, it saves taxpayers the cost of incarceration, and 
directly increases the capacity of nonprofits to help in the community. 
The HELP of southern Nevada Youth Center provides training and 
assistance to Southern Nevada's youth to prevent homelessness and equip 
young people for success. Many are matched with volunteer mentors from 
the community, who work help them get the most out of classes they take 
at the center which help them develop work and personal skills. These 
programs only scratch the surface of HELP's vast offerings.
  It brings me great joy to see Nevadans working so hard to make 
meaningful and lasting influences in our community. Over the course of 
four decades HELP and its devoted staff and volunteers have exemplified 
the ideals of selflessness and public service. I know that the hundreds 
of thousands of individuals whose lives have been touched by the work 
of HELP would share in my desire to express our gratitude. Furthermore, 
I would like to congratulate HELP. The positive changes they have made 
amongst the lives of individuals and within the community are truly 
remarkable achievements. I am grateful and honored to recognize the 
40th anniversary of HELP of Southern Nevada today.

                          ____________________