The Shade Tree#History
{{short description|Nonprofit organization}}
{{Infobox organization
| name = The Shade Tree
| logo = The Shade Tree logo.png
| logo_size = 200px
| logo_caption = Official logo.
| formation = {{start date and age|1989||}}
| founder = Bonnie Polley
| purpose = humanitarian
| focus = Domestic violence
| location = North Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
| website = {{URL|theshadetree.org}}
}}
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bayer-to-give-120-000-through-new-grants-fur-families-program-benefitting-domestic-violence-survivors-and-their-pets-300755597.html|title=Bayer to Give $120,000 Through New Grants Fur Families Program Benefitting Domestic Violence Survivors and Their Pets|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=1 May 2023}}
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, 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.{{cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/1999/sep/24/womens-shelter-plans-new-6-million-facility-downto/|title=Women's Shelter Plans New $6 Million Facility Downtown|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=1 May 2023}} However, in 1990, the group renamed themselves The Shade Tree, and opened a new shelter in a building owned by Saint Vincent's Catholic Charities.{{cite web|author=Nancy Gott|date=23 January 2018|url=https://www.library.unlv.edu/speccol/finding-aids/MS-00365.pdf|title=Shade Tree Shelter Records|publisher=University of Nevada|access-date=1 May 2023}} 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.{{cite web|author=Ed Vogellas|date=7 February 1999|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/fred-w-smith/|title=Fred W. Smith|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=1 May 2023}} Bonnie Polley, one of the founders of the center, worked as deacon in the Episcopal Church, and posthumously had an award named after her.{{cite web|author=Linda J. Simpson|date=19 March 2012|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/mother-teresa-of-las-vegas-following-a-vision-to-help-those-in-need/|title='Mother Teresa of Las Vegas' Following a Vision to Help Those in Need|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=1 May 2023}} Since 2019, the Bonnie Polley Community Hero Award is destined to honors "long-standing work in raising awareness and supporting survivors of domestic violence".{{cite web|author=Lindsey Smith|date=9 October 2019|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2019-10-09-christina-aguilera-cries-during-moving-award-speech-on-domestic-violence/|title=Christina Aguilera Cries During Moving Award Speech on Domestic Violence|publisher=iHeartRadio|access-date=1 May 2023}}
Organization
= Donations =
The Shade Tree maintains its operations and programs with donations by both public and private parties.{{cite web|author=Elizabeth Karuschak|date=26 May 2013|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/friends-of-shade-tree-hold-event-to-help-women-in-need/|title=Friends of The Shade Tree Hold Event to Help Women in Need|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=1 May 2023}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2018/aug/07/wynn-las-vegas-donation-to-revitalize-shade-tree-s/|title=Wynn Las Vegas Donation to Revitalize Shade Tree Shelter|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=1 May 2023}} 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.{{cite web|author=Evan Real|date=3 June 2019|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/christina-aguilera-xperience-residency-opening-weekend-recap-1215413/|title=Christina Aguilera Lights Up Las Vegas With Meaningful ‘Xperience’ Residency|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=1 May 2023}} In April 2019, MGM Resorts International donated $30,000 of the proceeds from its 2018 Annual Women's Leadership Conference.{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-mgm-resorts-foundation-awards-30-000-grant-to-the-shade-tree-the-largest-shelter-of-its-kind-in-nevada-300822172.html|title=The MGM Resorts Awards $30,000 Grant to The Shade Tree, the Largest Shelter of Its Kind in Nevada|publisher=PR Newswire|access-date=1 May 2023}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/shade-tree-furniture-donation-ashley-acm-awards-in-las-vegas-allegiant-stadium-women-children-shelter-academy-country-music-linda-perez-nevada|title=Furniture from ACM Awards in Las Vegas Donated to The Shade Tree|publisher=KSNV|access-date=1 May 2023}} Pardee Homes also contributed to the maintenance of the center in donations made in 2008 and 2013, whose amount exceeded $8,500.{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/funds-from-pardee-sales-benefit-shade-tree-shelter/|title=Funds from Pardee Sales Benefit Shade Tree Shelter|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=1 May 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/uncategorized/pardee-supports-womens-kids-charities/|title=Pardee Supports Women's, Kids' Charities|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=1 May 2023}}
= 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.{{cite web|author=Margo E. Williams|date=31 May 2014|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/girls-night-out-fundraiser-benefits-shade-tree/|title=Girls Night Out Fundraiser Benefits The Shade Tree|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=1 May 2023}} The Shade Tree also delivers a life skills and job training classes "designed to help residents achieve stability and self-reliance",{{cite web|author=Richard N. Velotta|date=19 October 2019|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/the-ladder-shade-tree-announces-new-board-office-members-1506346/|title=The Ladder: Shade Tree Announces New Board, Office Members|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=1 May 2023}} a children's activity center and a house destined to the shelter residents pets.{{cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/community/press-releases/4593/|title=Annual Walk of Hope Returns to Benefit The Shade Tree on April 26|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=1 May 2023}} In addition to meals,{{cite web|url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/shade-tree-calls-on-community-for-food-donations-amid-decline-due-to-inflation|title=Shade Tree Calls on Community for Food Donations Amid Decline Due to Inflation|publisher=KSNV|access-date=1 May 2023}} the center provides daily mental health services, critical assistance to victims of domestic violence, and individual case management.{{cite web|author=Rocky Nash|date=23 December 2020|url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/65k-donation-to-shade-tree-will-support-expansion-of-mental-health-services/|title=65K Donation to Shade Tree Will Support Expansion of Mental Health Services|publisher=KLAS-TV|access-date=1 May 2023}}{{cite web|author=Janna Karel|date=12 August 2019|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/life/new-director-of-las-vegas-shade-tree-shelter-follows-calling-1824917/|title=New Las Vegas' Shade Tree Shelter Director Follows 'Calling'|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=1 May 2023}}
See also
References
{{reflist|40em}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.theshadetree.org/}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shade Tree}}
Category:1989 establishments in Nevada
Category:Organizations based in Las Vegas
Category:Domestic violence-related organizations in the United States
Category:Non-profit organizations based in the United States