Garfield Wolfe stood in front of a cadre of EM Nevada Program employees at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission recently and told how the downtown Las Vegas homeless shelter helped turn around his life.Years earlier, Wolfe said, he was in and out of jail in southern Nevada and struggling with addiction. But when Wolfe got enrolled in the rescue mission’s addiction recovery program, everything started to change for the better.“I am forever grateful. After I finished the program, the mission hired me to work here. I am now at UNLV working on my bachelor’s degree,” Wolfe said, referring to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Wolfe spoke to the EM Nevada team members — including employees with environmental program services contractor Navarro Research & Engineering — as the group participated in the Las Vegas Rescue Mission’s Walk a Mile in My Shoes fundraiser. The group walked a mile along Bonanza Road in Las Vegas with more than 100 other Las Vegans in an endeavor that raised more than $126,000 for the shelter that provides addiction recovery, emergency housing and meals to those in need.“It is a great opportunity to support the community,” said Ryan Dodd, Navarro’s industrial sites manager. “We can give back in a way that directly impacts where our office building is in this part of Las Vegas. It shows continued community support for Las Vegas and the needs of the southern Nevada area where we reside.”
Participants in the fundraiser made the walk, then toured the shelter and learned about the faith-based services provided. They even helped prepare a meal and wrote personal notes of encouragement for the men, women and children who benefit from the shelter’s services.
“We really just want to create awareness about the problem of homelessness and also raise funds to provide the services for the people,” said Heather Williams, director of development at the shelter.
Barbara Ulmer, who serves as Navarro’s community commitment plan coordinator, said helping out the shelter was a rewarding experience for all who participated.
"The funds Team Navarro raised will feed 115 people in need, give relief for two nights for a family of three and provide two nights of shelter for those in need in our community." Ulmer said.
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