Shade Tree, the largest domestic violence shelter of its kind in Las Vegas, has drawn its restoration and expansion projects to a close following a $1 million donation from a local philanthropic organization, the Smith Family Foundation.
The shelter had to undergo restoration after a catastrophic pipe burst last January.
Shade Tree’s 25-year-old building now has 250 shelter beds, the most of any local domestic violence shelter with a public address. The beds are redesigned to offer more privacy than the old, barracks-style arrangement.
Shade Tree’s CEO, Linda Perez, said this increased privacy gives the women and children the nonprofit serves a better trauma recovery experience.
“Giving them their own space, their own bed, their own nightstand with a rug and the lamp and the outlets. It's just a better environment for them. I mean, when you think about it, who wants to be in a shelter in the first place?”
Perez said the addition of these beds, along with the extra programs staff poured resources into developing during the renovations, means the shelter is now in an even better position to serve women, children, and pets fleeing violence.
“We made our programs better, we've added additional services, and we were able to establish a child care scholarship fund for our moms who need child care.”
The shelter has already placed over 120 clients in the new beds — that's more than double what was available while the renovations were taking place, since Shade Tree kept its doors open during construction.
According to a survey conducted last September by the National Network to End Domestic Violence, domestic violence hotlines received over 230 Nevada-based calls in a single 24-hour period.
If you or anyone you know is facing domestic violence, the Shade Tree's 24-hour hotline can be reached at 855-385-0072.
