Non-Profit of the Year Southwest Region

See how they give back in the Southwest, check out these nominations below!

Purple W.I.N.G.S.
Las Vegas, Nevada is known as “Sin City.” The city is also known as an adult playground where anything goes. Well, with this label, girls of the city are often ignored. Toshia works tirelessly, in trying to make change with her organization, Purple W.I.N.G.S. She mentors weekly, with girls ages 7-19 by boosting their self-esteem, self-image, putting drop outs back into school. She works non stop, providing one on one care whenever called. She saves girls from the street, and does whatever it takes to keep the girls out of the sex industry here. She speaks about Domestic Minor sex trafficking around the city; and she goes to court to get 1st time offenders to keep them from out of the system. She does this all out of pocket! No grant money, with very little support. She never complains while doing so!

Las Vegas, does not have an all girls organization like most major cities, and she is working to change this. I am in awe of her tenacity, drive, dedication, and commitment to make change.

No More Victims, Inc.
Growing up, I’d always thought that I had a story of shame and that my past was something I needed to keep under-wraps. Having both of my parents incarcerated was a difficult part of my life growing up. It caused me to be an introvert and pushed me to over compensate in other areas of my life to fill that void. Luckily for me, that area was education, and I had strong grandparents to influence that. Although my success in education was tremendous, it was not sufficient enough to fill that void in my life that I kept hidden from the public and my peers. Becoming a member of No More Victims changed my life in a way that I could not have even imagined. No More Victims and Ms. Gambrell taught me that I had a powerful story and it did not to be concealed, but voiced for the many other children like me. It was at that moment my membership in No More Victims had gone from just the shy participant to a national figure that could garner support for the organization and get those supporters to carry the message of this to the places around the country that needed it most. If it were not for this amazing organization that sparked a flame in my passion for public service, I would not stand where I stand today, as a Truman Scholar, LSU Alum, mentor, advocate, and PhD student at Columbia – all because of their push to share my story with others. So thank you NMVI, and I encourage all to support such a dynamic and life changing organization.

Say It Loud
For nearly 15 years Say It Loud! Readers and Writers Series has been giving opportunity for Little Rock youth to participate in activities designed to enhance their appreciation for literature as a tool for personal, educational and career development. Literacy is something many people won’t speak about, but the act is a lot of kids cannot read or write and this is important. Over 3000 youth and adults have participated in numerous workshops and lectures at various venues sponsored by Say It Loud!. It should also be of noted that Say It Loud!members are enrolled in colleges around the country. The program has featured by some famous people in the literacy world but they have never received an award for their efforts and what they are doing in LR is so needed.

Quest to Cure
Quest to Cure is a wonderful organization that I volunteer with in Phoenix, AZ. The group was started by two young twin boys with sickle cell disease. The boys and their mother are holding several events a year for kids and families affected by sickle cell disease which really effects the black community. They hold Christmas parties, 5k walks, but what I love most is they take kids with sickle cell, many on their first vacation ever.They teach to live a life without pain and that is a wonderful task they have taken on.

P.A.R.K.
I would like to extend my fullest support in nominating P.A.R.K. a non-profit organization which works with “high-risk” students. This gives so many kids the opportunity to further their education by completing high school so they can attend college. The high school dropout rates are sky-rocketing by Mr. Keith s committed to changing the stats of this and keeping kids in this program and in the schools. I believe P.A.R.K is outstanding and deserving of a BCG Award.