It’s hard to believe all the services Shade Tree offers to the ladies. When I think of shelter, I imagine cots lined up on the floor and people sitting around just to get off of the sidewalk. I volunteered for about a month for school and I have learned that this place is so much more. Shade Tree is not just a shelter. It is a place to get what you need to start again. They have a variety of services available. When you are hungry, you are fed. And not just soup and sandwiches. You can have cereal and milk for breakfast or oatmeal and coffee. I was there during lunch time and saw once they served pizza and another time they had turkey. If you want to take classes to learn about finances they have a bank come in to teach it, if you want to exercise they have yoga (Yoga at a homeless shelter is amazing!), you want to learn computers, they have a class for that. If you want to get a job, they have a program to help you do that, too. It seems as if anything you might need to help you get back on your feet, Shade Tree has is for you. In regards to one of the other comments, while I volunteered there I did see one altercation between some of the ladies there and I think the staff handled it well (I couldn’t do there job) but I would think that when you get that many people living in the same place together stuff like that is bound to happen once in a while.
I visited The Shade Tree in July 2013 and I was really impressed what a small team of people with limited resources was able to do. Providing shelter for women, children and pets in Las Vegas is no easy task, but I saw first hand the difference that The Shade Tree makes. I have made a small donation and will continue to promote this nonprofit to everyone as they definitely deserve it.
The Shade Tree has many good things to help women, children, and pets who come from abusive situations. They help them find jobs, have activities throughout the year, and give them clothing and other items. They also take care of the pets which is really cool. I am happy to support them and the community should support this organization as well. Without The Shade Tree, so many people would have nowhere to go to get back on their feet.
When I lost a bunch of weight, I had all these extra clothes. Without a doubt, the shade tree was my shelter of choice to donate to. I see them on the news asking for help and I can tell they really want to help. I donated a bunch of dresses usable for work and play in addition to shoes and other items the ladies can wear in the workforce . I received a thank you letter and I know its always the right decision to send my items to shade tree.
The Shade Tree always have events to drive success in the women and children. As recent as the back to school drive where all the kids received school supplies for the upcoming school year. I'm glad to help!
My first experience with The Shade Tree was three years ago. The dedication of the staff to the community is palpable in every one you meet. Although some clients are in desperate situations, the shelter is filled with light and hope. One cannot leave without being affected by the positive atmosphere. A few hours, once a year with the clients and staff of The Shade Tree energizes me to contribute time and money in my home community in a effort to ensure the women, children and pets here also have a haven and are being cared for.
Four years ago, I became familiar with The Shade Tree via a charitable organization which had been raising funds on TST's behalf. I was intrigued by the model implemented by TST insofar as it not only provides safe shelter to women and children escaping domestic abuse, but their pets as well. Since my initial discovery, I have consistently contributed to this cause. For the last 3 years, I have volunteered on-site while in Las Vegas for an annual convention. Each time I visit, I walk away more passionate than ever about the people served by TST and its role in the community. I've not only witnessed first hand the impact the shelter has on its "guests", but I've grown to respect those "on the front lines" and running the shelter in the most efficient ways possible. The Shade Tree is truly the shining example of how communities should provide for those in need.
You never realize what you've been blessed with until you see what you're lucky not to have to go through. Everyone have their own daily struggles, however, the incredible sense of hope The Shade Tree inspire upon to the women, children, and pets are remarkable. Seeing the passion in the eyes of the staff reassures the belief they have in The Shade Tree's overall mission. I have been lucky to be a part of various fundraising events and seen them in action. Every 2 to 3 months, I go through my home in addtion to collecting from friends and family for items the clients of TST can benefit from. There is nothing more rewarding than being able to help. Seeing the women and families empowered from programs they went through while at the shelter embrace the world, being a part of that is heartwarming.
