The Shade Tree

The Shade Tree is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 1989 in North Las Vegas, Nevada. Founded by Bonnie Polley, it focus on providing services to victims of domestic violence, as well served as safe house to women, children and their pets. The center remains as the largest women and children's center headquartered in Nevada.[1]

The Shade Tree
Formation1989 (1989)
FounderBonnie Polley
FocusDomestic violence
Location
Websitetheshadetree.org

Previously referred as Jubilee Ministries, it worked in the basement of Saint Luke's Episcopal Church, until a permanent shelter have been established in 1990. While its overhead surpass more than $3 million annually,[2] the organization has received donations by both public and private parties, including Ashley HomeStore, MGM Resorts International, and American singer Christina Aguilera.

History

Previously named Jubilee Ministries, it was founded by Las Vegas, Nevada residents to provide services for abused women and children, whose shelter and resources firstly placed in the basement of Saint Luke's Episcopal Church.[3] However, in 1990, the group renamed themselves The Shade Tree, and opned a new shelter in a building owned by Saint Vincent's Catholic Charities.[4] Followed a period of limitations and small place conditions, Donald W. Reynolds Foundation awarded the group a grant that allowed them to open a new facility in the Las Vegas Valley.[5] Bonnie Polley, one of the founders of the center, worked as deacon in the Episcopal Church, and posthumously had an award named after her.[6] Since 2019, the Bonnie Polley Community Hero Award is destined to honors "long-standing work in raising awareness and supporting survivors of domestic violence".[7]

Organization

Donations

The Shade Tree maintains its operations and programs with donations by both public and private parties.[2] As part of a revitalization of the center, as well to help its fund operations, Wynn Las Vegas donated more than $1.5 million and refurbish its kitchen, resident bathrooms and intake room in 2018.[8] Between 2019 and 2020, American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera destined to the shelter $1 of every ticket purchased to her first concert residency, Christina Aguilera: The Xperience, at the Zappos Theater located at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas.[9] In April 2019, MGM Resorts International donated $30,000 of the proceeds from its 2018 Annual Women's Leadership Conference.[10] In 2022, Retail brand Ashley HomeStore donated an amount of furniture to the shelter, whose goods was previously used during 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.[11] Pardee Homes also contributed to the maintenance of the center in donations made in 2008 and 2013, whose amount exceeded $8,500.[12][13]

Services and programs

The shelter offers numerous programs and services. In addition to basic healthcare, the facility provides an "on-site medical clinic, pediatric and prenatal care, adult medical care and vaccinations", and served 6,000 women in 2013, according Las Vegas Review-Journal.[14] The Shade Tree also delivers a life skills and job training classes "designed to help residents achieve stability and self-reliance",[15] a children's activity center and a house destined to the shelter residents pets.[16] In addition to meals,[17] the center provides daily mental health services, critical assistance to victims of domestic violence, and individual case management.[18][19]

See also

References
  1. "Bayer to Give $120,000 Through New Grants Fur Families Program Benefitting Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets". PR Newswire. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  2. Elizabeth Karuschak (26 May 2013). "Friends of The Shade Tree Hold Event to Help Women in Need". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  3. "Women's Shelter Plans New $6 Million Facility Downtown". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  4. Nancy Gott (23 January 2018). "Shade Tree Shelter Records" (PDF). University of Nevada. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  5. Ed Vogellas (7 February 1999). "Fred W. Smith". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  6. Linda J. Simpson (19 March 2012). "'Mother Teresa of Las Vegas' Following a Vision to Help Those in Need". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  7. Lindsey Smith (9 October 2019). "Christina Aguilera Cries During Moving Award Speech on Domestic Violence". iHeartRadio. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  8. "Wynn Las Vegas Donation to Revitalize Shade Tree Shelter". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  9. Evan Real (3 June 2019). "Christina Aguilera Lights Up Las Vegas With Meaningful 'Xperience' Residency". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  10. "The MGM Resorts Awards $30,000 Grant to The Shade Tree, the Largest Shelter of Its Kind in Nevada". PR Newswire. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  11. "Furniture from ACM Awards in Las Vegas Donated to The Shade Tree". KSNV. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  12. "Funds from Pardee Sales Benefit Shade Tree Shelter". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  13. "Pardee Supports Women's, Kids' Charities". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  14. Margo E. Williams (31 May 2014). "Girls Night Out Fundraiser Benefits The Shade Tree". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  15. Richard N. Velotta (19 October 2019). "The Ladder: Shade Tree Announces New Board, Office Members". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  16. "Annual Walk of Hope Returns to Benefit The Shade Tree on April 26". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  17. "Shade Tree Calls on Community for Food Donations Amid Decline Due to Inflation". KSNV. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  18. Rocky Nash (23 December 2020). "65K Donation to Shade Tree Will Support Expansion of Mental Health Services". KLAS-TV. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  19. Janna Karel (12 August 2019). "New Las Vegas' Shade Tree Shelter Director Follows 'Calling'". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.