AWCMS Past Recipients
Primary 2018 - 2019 Recipient:
The Ridge House
Other Recipients:
2017 - 2018 Philanthropic Recipients
AWCMS Co-Presidents Katy Mann, Kim Miller and Carole Hess, along with Micacle in March Gala Chair, Whitney Freeman, present a check for $30,500 to representatives of the Ridge House.
Ridge House: $30,500
The Ridge House was chosen as our 2017 - 2018 Primary Recipient. Proceeds from the Miracle in March Gala, held March 3, 2018 supported the housing of 18 - 25-year-old residents suffering opiate use disorders at The Ridge House.
The Ridge House is a recovery-oriented system of care that provides comprehensive residential and out-patient assistance for individuals struggling with addiction. Through compassionate services and strategic programming, their clients are able to succeed in their recovery and become productive, law-abiding members of society.
The Ridge House: $30,500
Life Change Center: $5000
John Firestone, Executive Director of the Life Change Center was presented a check for $5000 from the Community Action Committee at the October Board meeting. John and Dani Tillman, Specialty Services Director, discussed the need for community support of programs such as theirs, which change the lives of drug abusers and their families, and are very grateful for the support of the Alliance.
The Life Change Center is an outpatient drug treatment facility, but they also help to prevent drug abuse in the children of their clients. To that end, they have implemented Strengthening Families, an evidence-based program to promote communication, engagement and resilience in families through weekly shared dinners and activities for children and adults.
The original funding for the program came from a women’s services grant, which meant that single dads and their children were excluded. The donation from the Alliance will enable single dads and their children to participate in this vital program.
Awaken: $5000
Awaken is a faith-based non-profit agency with the mission to increase awareness and education surrounding the issue of commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) and to provide restoration and housing for its victims. Since its inception in 2011, Awaken has served more than 385 women and children (ages 11 and up) with a wide range of services including case management, counseling, mentorship, and direct assistance with education, employment, housing, transportation, childcare and more. Awaken also runs a prevention program for middle and high-school students, offering an in-class modern-day slavery unit and presenting at-school assemblies and youth organizations. The agency also delivers community workshops and trainings to help educate schools, law enforcement agencies, medical and social service providers, faith-based groups, and other stakeholders on how to identify and serve victims.
Sam Quinones Presentation Sponsorship
Sam Quinones, in a presentation open to the public at St. Mary's Hospital, spoke about his book Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic, in September. CME credit was available for physicians. Dreamland was the winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for General Nonfiction, as well as one of Amazon's Best Books of the Year 2015. The Alliance sponsored this event along with Join Together Northern Nevada, Nevada State Medical Association, City National Bank and St. Mary's Regional Medical Center.