33,000 Nevada youth experience homelessness annually, nonprofit says

The Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth marked its 10th anniversary on Friday with a daylong summit in Las Vegas.

The event gathered more than 100 students, business leaders, and advocates to address the needs of unaccompanied young people in the state.

Arash Ghafoori, the organization’s chief executive officer, estimated that 33,000 unaccompanied young people experience homelessness in Nevada each year.

The summit, held at the Historic Fifth Street School auditorium, operated under the theme “10 years of dreaming big.”

The partnership began operations a decade ago to support youth who have lost stable housing.

Joseph, now a security guard, spoke about his time in the nonprofit after experiencing homelessness in his early teens.

He recalled lying on the floor of an empty apartment with his head on a backpack after his mother moved out.

“As I lay there that night, I was scared,” Joseph said. “I didn’t know where I was going to go or how my future was going to look. I was facing the reality that I might not have a place to stay.”

After that period, Joseph slept at friends’ houses or in abandoned buildings and often stayed out all night.

He credited mentors from the nonprofit with helping him secure housing and regain a vision for his future.

Joseph said he now aims to build a clothing brand that uplifts children.

“That’s my dream: to better my community in any way possible,” Joseph said. “Because the kindness you show someone today could be the very thing that helps them believe in their dreams tomorrow.” A spokeswoman said students who spoke were identified only by their first names to respect their privacy. Kristin Koca, vice president of corporate communications at Las Vegas Sands Corp., opened the event as a sponsor. She urged business leaders to increase private sector funding for organizations supporting homeless youth. “The biggest highlight of our summits is hearing from the young leaders who have experienced homelessness,” Koca said. “They are the inspiration for all the work we do, and they have the insights and ideas that will ensure the solutions we put in place best serve the specific hurdles young people face.” Other young speakers shared their personal histories and career goals during the day. Pearl credited elementary and middle school teachers for inspiring her to pursue a career as a cultural psychologist. Alexis spoke about her goal to become a pediatric nurse practitioner, a path shaped by memories of her brother asking where their next meal would come from. Hannah described her dream of becoming a professional chef. “Even during rough times, cooking brought me hope,” Hannah said. “There were plenty of times I didn’t have a kitchen or times I used campfires. But good food doesn’t have to be expensive or come from a fancy restaurant. It can be something simple that is made with care.” Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley attended the summit and said she was proud to lead a community committed to providing homeless youth with a future. “It’s more than having sympathy,” Berkley said. “It’s addressing the need that we know exists, and preparing the next generation of people for a better, stronger and healthier life.” The nonprofit plans to continue its annual summit format in coming years. The organization will hold its next major gathering in 2027.