MEDIA ADVISORY: LOCAL LAS VEGAS SHELTER

LOCAL LAS VEGAS SHELTER UNVEILS NEW INTAKE SPACE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE CALMING & SOOTHING ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN SEEKING ASSISTANCE The Shade Tree’s “Serenity Room” -- the first stop in a journey towards self sufficiency WHAT:                        The Shade Tree, a domestic violence shelter in Las Vegas, will host a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of its new Serenity Room located on the campus of the shelter. The Serenity Room will provide victims, who are seeking safe shelter at The Shade Tree, a soothing environment in which to begin the healing process in the first few critical moments after a woman has left her home and abuser. The space will provide women the privacy they need as they take that first step towards self-sufficiency. Each day at The Shade Tree, 15 new families on average enter the doors of the shelter seeking assistance. In fiscal year 2013/14, The Shade Tree provided assistance to over 5,889 individuals; 1,910 of which were children and 26% were victims of violence. During the 1st quarter of this fiscal year, we have already seen a 75% increase in the number of women and children entering our doors. The Serenity Room would not be possible without the generous support of the Lynne Ruffin-Smith Charitable Foundation, for which the room will be named. Architectural design, supervision and general contracting services were provided by TWC Construction, Inc., as part of their ongoing program to provide support to the Southern Nevada community. WHO:                          Marlene Richter, Executive Director, The Shade Tree                                        Mark Wilmer. V.P. and Amy Brissette, Project Superintendent, TWC Construction, Inc.                                        A Shade Tree resident WHEN:                        Friday, November 7th at 10:00 a.m. WHERE:                      The Shade Tree, 1 West Owens, North Las Vegas, NV 89030