It's Where I Am with Zandra Polard

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Unknown Speaker 0:51
Good morning Las Vegas, it's Zondra pool hard hits where I am. today. My guest is Manuel Rodriguez from Nevada's help Southern Nevada help

Unknown Speaker 1:06
Southern Nevada. Yes, ma'am. Okay, I

Unknown Speaker 1:08
said it backwards HELP of Southern Nevada, I want to give a special shout out before we begin to Roberto Valencia, who does my music for my intro, my outro and other tunes that will be coming your way after the show. And he is the producer of RBV music. So I want to thank you, thank you again, for all of the wonderful music that you send my way. Now, it is Mental Health Awareness Month, we are still in the month, bringing awareness to you guys about mental health. And so you know, I do it every week. But, you know, we want you to, you know, break that stigma. You know, people need help out there. And they shouldn't be afraid to get it. So help is doing some great things. In Las Vegas. I know they concentrate with populations of 25 through the lifespan, right? Correct different services such as vocational shelter services. Tell us more about what you do? Well,

Unknown Speaker 2:23
first, I wanted to start off Xandra by saying thank you for having me on your show again. Well, you

Unknown Speaker 2:28
know, you got invited back because of that voice. tremendous,

Unknown Speaker 2:33
tremendous honor. And second, I want to commend you for using this platform as a means to reach out to educate, you know, the community, the state nationwide, people that, as you mentioned, sometimes feel alone, especially that are suffering with mental health issues. You know, it has become a topic that every day becomes more and more important, and it needs to be addressed. There are a lot of people that feel that, you know, no one understands them, that they feel alone with, you know, their issues with their disabilities. So I applaud you and I think it's fantastic work. So thank you very much. Oh, absolutely.

Unknown Speaker 3:18
But you know, I have to tell you that we all you know, fall into that category at some point in time in our lives, right. So you know, you are not alone. Others share you know, some of the same things that you do so talking about what you're going through is one of the key things to doing and getting better. Correct. So go on with what you were saying about our bumps are so

Unknown Speaker 3:49
you know, working for help us Southern Nevada, it has provided this great umbrella to the community to offer, whether they're looking for shelter, whether they are looking to get back on their feet, if they've had issues where they've been unemployed, homeless, if they've suffered with addictions, any and every type of walk of life. We have had people that have come in to our organization seeking help and it goes perfect with the name help with Southern Nevada because that's what we do we provide

Unknown Speaker 4:32
help. And what does that acronym what does it stand for? Really

Unknown Speaker 4:35
doesn't have an acronym. It just basically it's just to stand out you know, basically help us Southern Nevada. We are here for a community. We are located centrally in Las Vegas on Flamingo where our headquarters are but we have different locations where we can you know be easily accessible to those in need. The headquarter office on Flamingo is where you will Find Shin West, which is our shelter, and to where we also provide housing.

Unknown Speaker 5:08
Now, now is this long term housing or temporary? How does that work temporary

Unknown Speaker 5:12
housing again, you know, what we want is the idea to help people of course to, you know, get back on their feet, use resources such as the D H, which stands for displaced homemaker, the displaced homemaker program, which focuses primarily on employment resources, incentives, supportive services, all the necessary tools that will assist people to get back on their feet.

Unknown Speaker 5:41
Now, I know you mentioned, you know, earlier, when we were in the break room, you were saying that you guys also helped with transportation. So you guys have bus passes available? That

Unknown Speaker 5:51
is correct. Yes, cards, a clothing vouchers. You know, a lot of times, we have people that have come from all walks of life, gone through different types of hardships, financial, emotional. And so people that have been homeless, you know, they've been living on the streets or in their car or couchsurfing. And they come to us in a moment where they say, enough is enough, I need to get back on my feet, I

Unknown Speaker 6:23
need some help,

Unknown Speaker 6:24
I need some help from him from. So, you know, that is where our caseworkers, our career coaches, our staff, present themselves. So the displaced homemaker, for example, if you're looking, you know, to get back into the employment world, we have through the enrollment, once they're enrolled, we offer these workshops, rates, resume building, financial literacy, job placement, you know, so you'll have a caseworker who will work side by side with them. And basically commenced the process of start looking forward, you know, jobs, job hunting, through our connections, as well. So whether it's, you know, immediate hire with a staffing agency, just

Unknown Speaker 7:14
run by there and do because I'm sure you do. Interview? And what what is it called mock interview, mock interviews, I've done a few interviews, and I think I might be a little too cocky or arrogant or something, because I always feel like I'm gonna get the job, and then I don't get it. You know, I have an awesome resume. But for some reason, once I get in the interview room, it all goes down south. Like, I'm the best, and I'm ready. Yeah,

Unknown Speaker 7:44
and, you know, and that's, you know, some of the things that we also in the process of the enrollment when we speak with them, and we start building, you know, short term, long term goals, we start asking those important questions, what exactly is it that you want to achieve? You know, because we have to, at the end of the day, take into consideration where they're coming from what they asked to meet them where they are, exactly, you know, and sometimes we have people that, you know, they want to take it at their pace, you know, we can have our staff that are saying, Okay, let's go, we're ready to go. We have all the resources, we have the connections, we have an employer, that's meeting people immediately. However, there are people that will say, whoa, whoa, whoa, I need to go slow. I'm not ready to just jump in. I've been couchsurfing, or I've been living in a, you know, parking structure or where I've been living on the streets. So I need to get psychologically emotionally prepped for it. Right. So, you know, again, it all deals, you know, comes down to the communication that we have with the client and our staff to understand what it is that they need.

Unknown Speaker 9:02
So I'm sure the staff that needs lots of training in dealing with you know, that would each come D displays displaced home homemaker da Yes, ma'am. So do they have continuing education for the staff? Absolutely. Training

Unknown Speaker 9:16
is always constant, and it's always, you know, updated, so if there are any changes. So it's almost weekly, where we're also given, you know, we have meetings with our staff with our department. And we are provided, okay, this is the new changes that need to be addressed or implemented, as well. Sometimes we have new organizations or resources that are coming in, that are being provided. So we're always being updated. We're always in training of some sort. And we're we're always giving refresher courses to be prepped with you know, Any new challenges that come our way? So in

Unknown Speaker 10:03
your location where you provide the shelter? Do you guys provide meals for them as well?

Unknown Speaker 10:07
Correct. So, Shannon, West, Shannon West, the residents there are provided just basically the same as you know, you would be as a resident breakfast, lunch, dinner, okay. They're also given many programs where they are allowed to do training. So down the street from us, we have the UNLV atomic Center, where they provide training and they do teaching of classes. So, you know, at the end, the main goal, I think, for everyone and for our organization is to see whether it's a youth, whether it's an adult, to become self sufficient to get back on their feet, to get a job to get some form of training that will allow them to become independent, and again, self reliant, self reliant.

Unknown Speaker 11:06
All right, well, so you kept mentioning Shannon West, but that's the name of the build.

Unknown Speaker 11:10
That's the name of the building. That is shelter, Michael Shannon. She was an actual person.

Unknown Speaker 11:15
Yes. Okay. The buildings named after? Okay. Yes, ma'am. Okay, so you provide meals, you have some vocational training. Now, how many people does Shannon West, how many residents are allowed to occupy the building? So

Unknown Speaker 11:34
Shannon West, it does have where, you know, every day people get dropped off, you know, people that come in seeking shelter refuge. We have people that have actually come from, you know, other countries that come to Las Vegas fleeing, you know, right now, there's a big community of people from Venezuela, that are fleeing because of political issues that are happening in their country of origin. So they've arrived to Las Vegas, with no family, no family support. And they hear about, you know, through, again, resources that we have, yeah,

Unknown Speaker 12:15
cuz you guys are everywhere, like, every community resource event I go to, I usually see a help flyer. Absolutely,

Unknown Speaker 12:23
yeah. And we try to, you know, we try to be out there for the community. So they're aware that, you know, if you are one of these people that need assistance, that are looking for shelter.

Unknown Speaker 12:38
And the thing is, is you may not need it today, but you never know when you may need it, and to absolutely have that solid brand of who you are, you know, is a wonderful thing. So people can say, Hey, I know where you can go,

Unknown Speaker 12:52
of course, and it's rewarding when when you can also provide that referral to say, you know, you're looking for shelter, you're looking for a place to stay, you're looking for employment, you know, I'm gonna give him my business card and or flyer and say, Look, you know, you need housing right now, that's a big issue to this very day. Every Thursday, you know, we have our day where we have our housing. So there's a long line. You go Yeah,

Unknown Speaker 13:23
I was wondering when you were mentioning that I thought about the movies, when they would have the long lines of people waiting to you know, have a place to stay? Do you often have to turn down? People who show up? Unfortunately,

Unknown Speaker 13:37
it is a first come first serve. And so when people come into our office seeking information about or assistance for housing, we do let them know. Okay, it is on Thursdays. The start time is seven when the department opens up and starts assisting people however 70 7am. So you got to be there Thursday at 7am? Well, we tell them show start showing up around five because people start lining up. I mean, there is a long line of people and sometimes, you know, by the end of the day, the will have to say okay, we've already attended to the number of people that we can assist. So there are people that you know, will not be helped, but they know okay, maybe next week, I'll have to come in earlier. So I can be there on time and be seen so

Unknown Speaker 14:25
do you allow them to stay for the week because what if they don't have anywhere to sleep on Friday or Wednesday

Unknown Speaker 14:32
and that's the beautiful thing is Andhra because we do have all these contexts so if they can't stay at our shelter, there are plenty of other locations. Salvation Army Shea tree, you know that that will provide shelter. Now, given the situation given the time that we're in, unfortunately, some of these locations tend to be overpopulated. So they sometimes have to train them away. And we go through that too, you know, at the Shan West, which is for youth. Sometimes it gets overpopulated. And sometimes it becomes an issue where, you know, you will be fortunate to have a room, when, you know, some youth will leave, some youth will decide to move out or just won't come back. But most of the time it is on a first come first serve, especially for housing.

Unknown Speaker 15:26
Now, do you find that the population that you're working with, most of them tend to be 25? And over?

Unknown Speaker 15:32
Or Yes, ma'am, that's correct. So the majority of the population, especially in the displaced homemaker goes from 25 and older. We have everybody comes from different walks of life, veterans, divorced, you know, spouses, housewives that have gone through domestic abuse. And you know, the only thing that we do mentioning people that have come from outside of other countries, to qualify for enrollment to our program, they do have to have legal status. So the only thing that we do ask when going through the enrollment process, in the DH program is a social security card and their ID, or it could be a permanent resident or a visa, something that shows that they have legal status as well. If they have those documents, they are fine to continue with the enrollment process.

Unknown Speaker 16:29
Now, I still need clarity on this Thursday. Excuse me Thursday showing up. If you get in the door and you're in, you're able to get into the program and you get a room to stay in. Do you have when do you have to leave?

Unknown Speaker 16:47
Well, the housing is more for placement for apartments where they will find a apartment and they will pay for them to basically move into an apartment. Good situation. Oh, it's not it's not connected to the

Unknown Speaker 17:02
shelter. Okay, okay,

Unknown Speaker 17:04
I understand this is for housing for basically, I need an apartment, I need a place to live. Okay, and help will assist them with that process to get them into an apartment, you know, for their family. So they're not staying at Shanna West? No, no, the shelter is a part that's mostly for the youth that are coming in, you know, that are in and out, that decide to stay, you know, they can stay as long as they want. But most of the time, you know, they will come and leave at their own will. So,

Unknown Speaker 17:36
if you're helping people get an apartment anywhere in Las Vegas, right isn't that it's correct to their choosing? Well,

Unknown Speaker 17:44
it's not to their choosing, but it's to what is available as far as you know, the housing that you know, that help works with, okay, so the case managers will, and granted, these are beautiful apartments that they place them in, you know, and depending on the size of the family who's in need. So this is not just, you know, an apartment that's in shambles, or, or in a bad

Unknown Speaker 18:12
standing, the apartment is not like that.

Unknown Speaker 18:15
They're very nice apartment, and, you know, they're provided with all the necessities that they need, you know, And if on top of that, if they need food, you know, to fill the refrigerator, if they need supplies, beds, help is there for them to provide this.

Unknown Speaker 18:32
Also, you can get your own apartments and furnitures and food. You

Unknown Speaker 18:36
know, again, it's first come first serve. So again, you know, for those that are in need, or are interested, it's every Thursday, the doors open for the housing department from seven, and be there at five, but be there at five because there is already a long line waiting. Wow.

Unknown Speaker 18:54
So that changes my whole understanding in the second half of this show, because in my mind, everybody was Dan and Shannon Watts has built it. But that's where they go to receive the help to get the resources to get an apartment, to get a job training to get some food in your refrigerator to get some furniture you may need for your new place. Correct. Yeah, right. So that is extremely wonderful.

Unknown Speaker 19:27
You know, it's it's, it's great because help. I think people really don't understand how widespread it is. You know, we have the diaper bank, that also helps you know for parents that have a new diapers for Formula. Absolutely. We have weatherization you know, for people that already have a home that need assistance, maybe putting up windows to lower their bills to help with low costs.

Unknown Speaker 19:57
Oh now see there, you know see this this Information is good for somebody, everybody. Oh, absolutely,

Unknown Speaker 20:02
yeah, I think everybody can definitely benefit from what we provide. Awesome,

Unknown Speaker 20:07
awesome. So if they want to find help, do they just go to the location can you want to give them Shannon was location. So

Unknown Speaker 20:18
the the address the main central address since we're all located on Flamingo Boulevard on 1660, we are three different buildings, we have the central office 1660, East Flamingo Road, which is our HQ. Next door is Shannon West, and to the right or to the left, depending on how you're looking at it. It's where we have our housing. So today, you know, when we have our housing, you'll see on Thursdays the big line of people waiting already in the mornings throughout the day waiting to be seen. But if you go in through 1660, and you'll have friendly receptionist there to greet and, you know, point you in the right direction until you if you're looking for housing, if you're looking for a shelter, if you're a youth, they'll let you know and they'll direct you to the shelter, which is within walking distance just a few feet. If you need help with you know the diaper bank if you need help with the DH displaced homemaker program, and I'm there at that office as well. So all you have to do is ask for Manny and I'd be glad to come out and assist you. Okay,

Unknown Speaker 21:24
so now I'm thinking there's not a phone number. I know you guys don't want a bunch of people calling in keeping your lines busy, you need to come down to the location, it'd be

Unknown Speaker 21:35
best it'd be best. If you do want to call or if you want to call me directly. Absolutely. I can provide my phone number. If

Unknown Speaker 21:42
Oh, are you sure? Glad?

Unknown Speaker 21:46
My contact number is 702-885-5933. Again, 702-885-5933. And I'd be glad to answer any questions. And if it is in regards to any of the services that we provide, I'd be glad to direct you to the appropriate staff that would help you. Awesome.

Unknown Speaker 22:07
Now what hours do you have the phone on? Because I know that phone isn't on at two in the morning. Now

Unknown Speaker 22:13
that's an issue because sometimes I do take my work home and you know, I forget to turn it off. But because I understand and I love my job. So I tried to be there as much as possible. Sometimes we get you know, especially working in with youth or the displaced homemaker program. You get people that you know have different schedules. So sometimes they'll be calling you late at night. But my normal hours are 7am to 5pm. Monday through Thursday.

Unknown Speaker 22:45
Okay. Yeah. Because you know what, what we're learning is how to love ourselves. And as much as you love work, of course. I love you. Love you verse

Unknown Speaker 22:57
100%. Well,

Unknown Speaker 22:59
I want to thank you so much for coming on to the show. Once again. Thank you Now we had Manny on last month. Yes, yeah. So thank you for coming back. Thank you, Sonia. I am Zondra polearm. It's where I am is on 91.5. Every Saturday at 7:30am. You know, you can find me on Apple, Spotify. Google that as am Spotify, Apple, Google. All the major podcast platforms, you can find me just make sure when you put in it's where I am. You got to add my name. And that's Z as in Zebra, a n d r a. And I'll pop right on up for you. Make sure you follow and subscribe. Also, if you want to find any of the resources I have on my website, or some of the shows that I have videotaped, you can go to it's where I am.com So that's pretty much it and I will be back here next week. And as we're leaving, make sure you stay tuned in I want you to listen to a song by Lady Blackbird and Roberto V Valencia. They wrote this tune is produced by RBV music. Sit back and enjoy this song we're talking about loving yourself so be in love with you. The song is titled in love

Unknown Speaker 25:32
My God sometimes it's awful me to see and I wonder what it is that keeps

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me busy see

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so much passion

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just hear the sound you drives me I

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don't know what I

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keeps getting stronger for you I hope you feel the same goes in my heart

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a promise of jelly says true love

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My God

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Joe

Transcribed by https://otter.ai