At first glance, you might think you were in a high-end boutique. The chandelier, the baroque wallpaper and matching rug, the lucite chairs—and of course the racks of clothing, but this boutique is special.
Welcome to the WestCare Nevada Womens and Children’s Campus, a residential treatment facility that helps women struggling with addiction and homelessness get back on their feet. The boutique, offering free work appropriate clothing and accessories, is just one of the services offered on the WestCare campus.
Women attend parenting classes, and nutrition classes. The Healthy Families program helps pregnant and postpartum women who are struggling with addiction, to eliminate their dependency on alcohol and/or drugs, by accepting personal responsibility, problem solving, and learning respect for themselves and others.
“Stand strong, believe in yourself, chase your dreams.”
While residents here often face many challenges, job placement, especially for those with a criminal history, can be difficult. The campus offers a computer lab, and assistance with job placement and resume building.
Not only are the resources and rehabilitation aspects important to continued success with recovery, the relationships created have positive effects too. After completing treatment programs at WestCare, many alumni return monthly for meetings, and to throw barbecues and activities for current residents. A courtyard and walking path give women a chance to get some exercise, and gain clarity via the outdoors.
Addiction doesn’t know what zipcode you live in. It doesn’t care about the color of your skin, whether or not you go to church on Sunday, or how much money is in your bank account. WestCare of Nevada provides resources to women who might not otherwise have the resources to turn their lives around. Director Dee Wirth knows first hand the challenges of recovery. Her relationship with WestCare began over a decade ago, but it wasn’t a job interview that got her in the door–it was her own addiction to meth. Now 12 years clean, and having earned her masters degree, Wirth helps other women make positive changes, and find strength and sobriety.
If your goals for the New Year include cleaning out your closets, please consider donating your new or gently used clothing and household items to WestCare. They can be dropped off the WestCare Nevada Women and Children’s Campus, 5659 W Duncan Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89130.
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