Family Promise of Las Vegas helps children and their families break the cycle of homelessness and return to sustainable employment and housing. We believe every child deserves a safe place to call home.
Through a powerful combination of grants, donations, and the support of social service agencies, property owners, and local congregations of all faiths, we provide both temporary and long-term housing solutions for families in crisis throughout Clark County.
Since 1996, Family Promise of Las Vegas has helped thousands of families with children transition from homelessness to stability through motel shelter, transitional housing, and prevention programs. We work hand-in-hand with apartment complexes, landlords, motels, and hundreds of community partners to make this possible.
We are often the only agency in Southern Nevada able to keep entire families together—including single fathers with daughters, two-parent households, and single mothers with teenage sons. For us, keeping families together is a top priority.
In just the past year, 788 families—more than 2,400 individuals—received our support. Remarkably, 91% of families who completed our programs achieved their goal of transitioning into stable housing.
Family Promise of Las Vegas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization registered in good standing with the Nevada Secretary of State.
Helping at-risk families with children achieve secure housing, financial stability, and long‑term independence through a compassionate response.
We envision a future where every family has a secure home. Families are thriving—so much so that services like ours are no longer needed. Until that day comes, we remain committed to walking alongside families on their journey to independence.
In 1994, Karen Olson, CEO of the National Family Promise Program, contacted Father Bill Kenny of Christ the King Catholic Community to discuss developing an interfaith shelter network in Clark County, Nevada. At the time, the number of homeless families in Las Vegas was growing, and there were no shelter programs that could serve intact families (father, mother, and children). Father Bill Kenny collaborated with Rabbi Sanford Akselrad of Congregation Ner Tamid and Pastor Charles Bowker of Reformation Lutheran to form the network.
The Interfaith Shelter Program (IHN) began with 12 congregations signing on as overnight shelters, and the Day Center was located at the Catholic Worker House on Van Buren Street in the historic Westside neighborhood. Each night, the program served up to 14 people (about four families).
The model was simple: congregations signed up to provide one week of overnight shelter, meals, and supervision for up to four families, four times per year. Agency staff trained volunteers to offer hospitality services. Today, this network of Catholic, Jewish, Protestant, and Muslim congregations provides over $300,000 of in-kind support annually. It’s important to note that Family Promise of Las Vegas is not a religious organization, and our partner congregations do not proselytize.
In 2005, our name officially changed to Family Promise of Las Vegas, aligning with the national transition from Interfaith Hospitality Network to Family Promise. The new name better reflected our mission, which is much more than shelter alone.
In 2006, we moved our agency from Van Buren Street to 320 S. 9th Street in downtown Las Vegas, with assistance from then-Mayor Oscar Goodman.
In 2009, under the leadership of the local Continuum of Care (COC), and legendary Executive Director Terry Lindemann, Family Promise began expanding services through the Promises to Keep program—a HUD-funded permanent supportive housing project that provided rental assistance and case management for up to 20 formerly homeless families where the head of household had a disability. This program operated successfully until November 2016.
In 2010, we deepened our impact by partnering with Credit One Bank and Neighborhood Housing Services of Southern Nevada. This collaboration, which continues to this day, provides funding for rental assistance, while our agency offers continued case management and support services for up to six months—helping families build lasting stability.
From 2010 to 2024, Family Promise of Las Vegas operated out of our Day Center located at 3690 E. Tropicana Avenue. During this time we continued to grow our capacity and strengthen our case management services, which are at the core of what we do—helping families navigate their path back to independence and housing stability.
Through strong partnerships with nonprofits across the valley, we helped families return to the workforce, attend financial literacy classes, and secure long-term housing. A partnership with Woodforest Bank and our national office brought a tailored financial literacy course to our clients. We were also selected as the first Nevada partner in the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program, through which we have referred over 60 families to receive refurbished vehicles—removing a critical transportation barrier.
Over the years, Family Promise of Las Vegas has become more than a shelter. We provide wraparound services, administer housing programs, lead educational workshops, and partner with organizations offering rental assistance to move families toward lasting independence. While our programs continued to grow, our space did not. We knew we needed a larger, permanent facility that would meet the needs of the families we serve—so we launched a vision.
In partnership with Clark County, the City of Las Vegas, and Credit One Bank, the concept of the Family Navigation Center was born. At our 25th Anniversary Gala in 2021, over $200,000 was raised toward this vision, thanks to the generosity of partners such as Assurance Ltd., WaFd Bank, Congregation Ner Tamid, Wynn Resorts, DaVita, Smile Shop, Holy Spirit Catholic Church, the Jones Family, and many more.
On Thursday, June 15, 2023, Family Promise of Las Vegas officially broke ground on the Family Navigation Center, a 12,300-square-foot facility that will house ten bridge apartments and a comprehensive resource hub. This milestone event was held on land donated by Clark County and marked the launch of our Share the Promise 2023 Capital Campaign.
Among those who spoke at the groundbreaking were Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom and Leonard Chide, Community Reinvestment Officer at Credit One Bank. Over 100 supporters, community partners, and friends gathered to celebrate this long-awaited occasion.… but there is a culminating event still to come…
We are thrilled to share that after 29 years of serving families facing homelessness in Southern Nevada, Family Promise has a permanent home—our new $14 million Family Navigation Center! This beautiful 12,500-square-foot facility is more than a building. It’s a HOME where families with minor children can heal, grow, and rebuild their lives with dignity. To mark this milestone, we are hosted a celebration on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Thank you to everyone including the following:
A few people expressed regret at missing the Grand Opening. We want to stay in touch! A few people expressed regret about not being able to make it to the event. It happens! If you would like to set up a time to come and tour the new Credit One Bank Family Navigation Center, please take 30 seconds to fill out the form below.
Marisa Cervantes is the Chief Operations Director at Family Promise of Las Vegas. With over twenty years of experience in the non-profit sector, she is deeply passionate about serving vulnerable populations, particularly those experiencing or at risk of homelessness and food insecurity. Marisa is highly skilled in fund development, grants, finance, and operations, having more than ten years of experience in grant writing and management, securing funds for programs, operations, and new initiatives. In her current role, she leads the organization’s fundraising, marketing, social media, and grant-writing efforts, ensuring the sustainability of essential programs and services. As Family Promise grows, particularly with the development of the Family Navigation Center, Marisa is proud to contribute to expanding the organization’s capacity to serve more families in need and to make a lasting impact on the community.
Cherry Richardson has dedicated over 16 years to working with individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Southern Nevada. Starting as an intern in 2008, she embraced the challenges of non-profit work, learning the importance of collaboration and versatility. Her early retail management experience instilled a “customer-first” mindset. Throughout her career, she has taken on various roles, each providing opportunities to learn, lead, and make tangible impacts in our community. Her involvement in community collaboratives has earned recognition and funding for trusted partnerships. Cherry, along with her program team, prioritizes the work to end homelessness for families with children. With a passion for empowering others and valuing diversity, she sees every interaction as a chance to grow with purpose and create positive change.
Ms. Larson is a dedicated Family Enrichment Director at Family Promise of Las Vegas, where she has been making a meaningful impact since 2022. With over 22 years of extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her previous 16-year tenure at United Way of Southern Nevada highlights her commitment to community service and support. In her current position, Ms. Larson manages the Family Enrichment program, which plays a crucial role in providing families with minor-aged children support and engaging activities and programs to ensure their growth and success in future endeavors. She is also actively involved in various task forces within Family Promise of Las Vegas, working collaboratively to address the needs of the community. Originally from Billings, Montana, Ms. Larson relocated to Las Vegas in 2001 and has since been a valuable asset to the local nonprofit landscape. Her educational background in legal administrative management further supports her effective advocacy and program management.
Salbi Hovhannisyan is originally from Armenia and joined Family Promise in 2024. She is a graduate of the State Linguistic University in Armenia and holds an associates degree in Business Management from CSN Las Vegas. She has over 8 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, where she honed her financial skills surrounded by high level non-profit financial professionals. Her diverse background and dedication make her a passionate contributor to her field and community. Salbi is proud to be a part of the Family Promise of Las Vegas team and looks forward to assisting with efforts to take Family Promise to the next level with her financial acumen.
Ilse Martinez joins Family Promise of Las Vegas as a workforce case manager excited to support families on their journey to stable employment and greater self-sufficiency. She has dedicated most of her career to nonprofit organizations, which she attributes to her passion and strong desire to help the community. As a firm believer in self-care, Ilse enjoys time outdoors, relaxing by a pool, or trying different recipes.
Martin is a faith-filled leader with a passion for inspiring and mobilizing people to create meaningful change in their lives, communities, and the world. He has worked in 35 nations including Brazil (5 years) and India (5 years) training nationals in project development and pioneering; this resulted in more than 35 new locations being started primarily in India and South Africa. Martin specializes in nonprofit communications and fundraising and has a proven track record of growing donor engagement, managing record breaking events, securing multi-million dollar grants and exceeding annual fundraising goals by up to 65%.
Araceli De Anda has dedicated herself to the non-profit sector for the past three years, with one year of volunteer experience while studying for the medical field. Her personal experience with homelessness due to a house fire has given her a deep understanding of the needs and experiences of the families she serves. Although she initially pursued a career in the medical field, Araceli felt a stronger calling to support and serve her community, leading her to focus on helping families in need.
Jesus “Jesse” Martinez is a committed Family Advocate at Family Promise of Las Vegas, where he joined the team in 2024. With a focus on Workforce Development, Jesse plays a crucial role in helping families within the program secure sustainable careers, thereby promoting stability and longevity in the workplace. His dedication to the community is reflected in his collaborative efforts with families, individuals, and community partners, underscoring his strong belief in the power of collective support. Outside of his professional commitments, Jesse is a devoted husband and father who relishes outdoor activities such as kayaking, river rafting, and parasailing, which offer him both relaxation and adventure.
Mililani Ueligitone, affectionately known as Lani, has had a journey marked by diverse cultural experiences and a steadfast commitment to community service. Born in San Diego, California, and raised in the serene islands of American Samoa, Lani has always embraced her unique heritage. In 2017, she moved to the bustling city of Las Vegas, which brought about a significant transition. However, Lani’s passion for community service remained unwavering. She actively contributes to Family Promise and participates in church outreach programs, demonstrating her dedication to making a positive impact. A firm believer in the power of faith and family, Lani cherishes time spent with her loved ones, who provide her with the motivation and encouragement she needs. As a recent member of the FPLV Warriors, Lani is eager to continue her journey of growth and community support, working alongside her team to deliver valuable programs and resources. Her story is one of resilience, dedication, and an enduring commitment to bettering the world around her.
Crystal joined the staff of Family Promise of Las Vegas in October of 2017 as the front desk receptionist and administrative support and data entry specialist to the case management team. Ms. Martinez has lived in the Las Vegas area for most of her life, volunteering her services to many local non-profits before coming to our agency. Crystal is bi-lingual and a great asset when assisting Spanish speaking families. Her smile is the first thing people see when they enter our office.
Erik joined Family Promise in 2024 as a Project Coordinator. He has worked in non-profit, for-profit, not-for-profit, and for a state government during his career. He has lived in California, Texas, Arizona, and has been in Las Vegas, Nevada since 2022. He has volunteered extensively at organic farms and community gardens and also for homeless outreach non-profits. Erik is honored to be a part of the Family Promise of Las Vegas team and looks forward to contributing to the non-profit’s growth and success.
Lisa is a strong believer in education and wants all children to have the best possible chance to succeed. A stable home environment is a critical building block for that success. She has served on the board of Family Promise of Las Vegas for 9 years. In that time she has witnessed many families transition from homelessness to stability. Lisa holds a BA degree in Microbiology from the University of Colorado and a Masters in Public Administration from UNLV. She is retired from a 30-year career in public health with the Nevada State Health Division.
Brent has volunteered with Family Promise for many years, teaching financial literacy and providing support via Family Promise’s congregant programs. As the new Board President for 2022, Brent is excited to help Family Promise expand services to homeless families during this important time as we build the Family Navigation Center with transitional housing units and facilities for staff and services. Brent brings his business leadership skills from his experience 30 years as an manager/executive in high-tech and financial industries and his education which includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Education.
Claudia is the Finance Manager for The Crossing, a Christian Church, since 2014. Previously she was the Chief Financial Officer for Templeton Development Corporation, a real estate development and construction company, for 17 years. She received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Northern Illinois University. Claudia is committed to the mission of Family Promise of Las Vegas and is honored to serve on it’s board since 2007.
Chris is proud to serve on the Family Promise of Las Vegas board and support Family Promise’s mission of helping homeless families achieve sustainable housing and independence. Chris was introduced to Family Promise through his wife, who is a Family Promise volunteer coordinator. Chris is a business and real estate transactional attorney at Fennemore Craig, P.C., and has resided in Las Vegas since graduating from Brown University (where he played college football and earned Academic All-Ivy-League honors) and the University of Oregon School of Law.
Kristin is the Owner of MattNik Bookkeeping and Tax Solutions. With her Master’s Degree and over 6 years of experience, Kristin has been working with Small Business Owners and Self-employed Individuals helping them with their Bookkeeping, Budgeting and Financial Analysis needs. Her goal is to educate, help them get organized and prepare them and their businesses for success. Over the years she has helped her clients understand their financial numbers so they would be prepared to make the big decisions in their businesses. Kristin Kirui-Case is the creator and host of Educating Your Money Podcast. Which is a podcast geared towards small business owner’s and self-employed individuals.
Curtis joined the Family Promise of Las Vegas board in 2022, with the passion to support the mission of helping homeless families achieve independence. Curtis has over 16+ years of human resources experience, with 12 years of leading human resources change agent. He oversees all aspects of Human Resources, Payroll and Facility Management for ResortCom, while serving on our Executive Leadership Team. Under his leadership, ResortCom’s HR department has received industry recognition as a 2018, 2019, & 2020 ARDY award finalist from the prestigious American Resort Development Association (ARDA). Prior to ResortCom, Curtis worked as the Vice President of Human Resources with Resource Bank, where he helped further an Employer of Choice environment. Curtis graduated from Southern University with a Bachelor of Arts, and earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the prestigious Public Administration Institute within the E.J. Ourso Business School at Louisiana State University. He has led companies in the private, public, and non-profit sector, and is an integral part of the community, coaching youth soccer and mentoring young professionals.
Jonathan joined Gerety and Associates, CPAs in February 2024. Originally from the Pacific Northwest Jonathan, his wife and first son moved to Las Vegas in 2001. He spent 15 years in the gaming industry where he did everything from dealing to shift manager before transferring to public accounting. He then went back to school at UNLV to get his accounting degree where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2019. He received his CPA license from the Nevada State Board of Accountancy in 2021. During his time in public accounting, he has been exposed to all kinds of tax work from large casinos to personal returns. He has specialized in S-corporation and partnership passthrough returns but enjoys the complexity of all kinds of tax work. He also loves to give back to Las Vegas and currently sits on the Board of Directors for Family Promise of Las Vegas, a local non-profit that helps families in need. In his free time, he loves spending time with his wife and two sons. He also enjoys the many great restaurants of Las Vegas, playing video games and anything Star Wars.
Lisa grew up in Eastern Oregon, raised her family in the Inland Northwest (Spokane Valley, WA), and has lived with her husband in the Summerlin area since 2019. As an award-winning educator for more than 20 years, Lisa is honored to bring her prior non-profit and C-level business experience to her new FPLV board position. Lisa has traveled extensively with youth in support of various global humanitarian ministries. A mother of four adult children and seven grandchildren, Lisa is passionate about service. She and her husband regularly pledge their time and household resources in the support of the downtown Las Vegas homeless community.
Linda is the CEO of Blue Sapphire Management, a real estate investment and management firm with assets nationwide. She holds a B.S. in Computer Science from UCLA and has over 30 years of professional experience, including roles as a computer engineer, entrepreneur, and real estate investor. Since moving to Las Vegas in 2020 from Southern California, Linda is proud to serve the local communities in Las Vegas. She is especially passionate about mentoring young people to pursue higher goals and create impactful businesses that uplift the community.
Sara is Vice President of Customer Experience at Credit One Bank. Sara has worked in the banking industry for over 20 years focused on Quality and Audit, Process Engineering, and Customer Experience. Sara has a master’s degree in Organization Development and Leadership. Her work in nonprofit includes serving as Board President of the Spreckels School District Educational Foundation, securing funds for music and technology in local schools; Serving on the Executive Board of Enneagram Las Vegas where she is an Enneagram trainer and coach for Las Vegas teens, professionals, and community groups, focused on helping people gain deeper understanding of themselves and others; as well as volunteering for a variety of local non-profits in the Las Vegas area. She is honored to be invited to serve on the board of Family Promise of Las Vegas.