Project 150’s free shopping day brings good cheer to homeless teens, families

The sounds of Andy Williams singing "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year," streamed through the speakers Saturday morning at Project 150, a Las Vegas nonprofit that provides basic necessities to homeless or needy teens, young adults and their families.

However, for the more than 2,500 homeless high school students in Clark County, the holiday season can offer few reasons to "be of good cheer."

On Dec. 18 as Clark County students go on a two-week hiatus for winter break, many won't know where they'll find their next meal, said Meli Pulido, Project 150 executive director.

"For many, winter break is about relaxing, sleeping and having fun, but for our demographic it's a tragic time because they have two weeks without the warm shelter of school they call home," she said. "Our hope is that kids stay warm and have what they need."

On Saturday, Project 150 did something to help make their holiday season a little brighter. It hosted a free teen shopping day at its location at 3600 N. Rancho Drive on Saturday. More than 100 youth and their families came out to shop for up to 10 free clothing items as well as food and other supplies.

Jiselle, a 16-year-old Clark County high school student, was in search of pajamas and jeans at Project 150's Betty's Boutique.

"I think it's cool that they're giving free clothing," she said. "I told all my friends and posted about it on Facebook."

Michelle, also a 16-year-old Clark County high school student, was looking for outfits for school.

"It's a good opportunity for me to find clothes," she said. "I thought [the store] would be tiny, but there's a pretty big selection."

Esmeralda, 15, stood near the dressing rooms in Betty's Boutique waiting to try on some dresses.

"I don't have many, and I'd like something casual and elegant options," she said. "There are a lot of cute clothes but you have to look."

Nearly 100 volunteers from local schools were in attendance to help the shopping experience move more swiftly.

Cheyenne High School junior Kenya Finley volunteered at Project 150 for the first time on behalf of the school's ROTC program.

"It feels really nice to be able to help people," she said in between sorting clothes in the organization's warehouse. "I hope they're able to find what they need, and if I'm able to be there for them in any way, I will."

Jesus Cadenas, 17, volunteered on Saturday with his sister Miriam, 19. The pair has been volunteering for Project 150 for nearly two years.

They've done everything from sorting clothes to packing food and have been involved with helping feed more than 300 individuals.

"It's great to feel like we're making a difference," Cadenas said. "We always try to bring as many people here to help as possible."

Homeless youth is a growing epidemic in Southern Nevada, said Pulido, a lifelong Las Vegas resident.

"When I started here three years ago there were only 900, and now it's up to 2,500," she said. "The number continues to grow and the more transient Las Vegas is, the harder it is to keep that number down."

In addition to helping homeless youth, the organization provides assistance to the displaced and disadvantaged as well, Pulido said.

"There are so many youth out there that don't want child protective services to step in or they have an ill parent and have to be head of the household," she said. "Most often it's a cultural and pride thing, and they want to be able to provide on their own."

The biggest needs at Project 150, according to Pulido, are winter accessories such as hats, scarves and gloves, as well as new undergarments, gift cards and food.

"Our goal is to make sure that every student succeeds and graduates," she said. "And that they find something within them to persevere and get through school."

For more information, visit www.project150.org.

Contact reporter Ann Friedman at afriedman@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4588. Follow @AnnFriedmanRJ on Twitter.