Volunteers of America’s Family Shelter Children Take Center Stage

(Reno, Nev.)  Children living at the Volunteers of America Family Shelter will take the stage with Miss Sparks Outstanding Teen Nasya Mancini on April 16.  Ms. Mancini has been volunteering at the Family Shelter for several months, offering drama and theater workshops for the children. The children will showcase their new skills at a special performance on April 16, 6:00-6:30 p.m. at Southside Cultural Center, 190 E. Liberty St., Reno.  Media is invited to cover the children’s performances.  

The children will perform scenes from The Lion King, Little Mermaid and Aladdin in full makeup and costumes.  Donations will be accepted to support the Family Shelter.  

A long time participant of the local non profit organization TheatreWorks, Ms. Mancini began volunteering at the Family Shelter while competing in the Miss Sparks Outstanding Teen competition. She is planning the event on April 16 as she prepares to compete in Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Nevada State Pageant.  

“This is such a great opportunity for the children. Enrichment activities, like theater, are just one of the many experiences that homeless children might miss out on, “said Sandy Isham, Development and Community Relations Officer for Volunteers of America.  “So, you can imagine how grateful we are to Nyasa for offering these classes and workshops. The kids can’t wait to show off their new skills.”

Each night in Northern Nevada, Volunteers of America, a national nonprofit, faith-based human service organization, provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and affordable housing for more than 700 men, women and children, including seniors, veterans, and the mentally ill.  At the Community Assistance Center in downtown Reno, Volunteers of America operates the Family Shelter, Men’s Shelter, Women’s Shelter, Resource Center, and ReStart programs, serving more than 7,700 people each year.  Community partnerships are crucial to creating a strong financial foundation that will protect and expand programs serving our community.  

Established locally in 1896, the Northern California and Northern Nevada affiliate of Volunteers of America is one of the largest providers of social services in the region, operating programs dedicated to ending homelessness, supporting the most vulnerable populations and transforming communities into safer healthier places.  For more information, see www.voa-ncnn.org or contact Sandy Isham, development and community relations officer at 775.322.7143 or sisham@voa-nv.org.