It’s 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning in November. It’s cold out, but this doesn’t stop Shine-A-Light volunteers from getting up bright and early for an important mission. The group gathers donated clothing, food and other supplies to reach a homeless population most don’t even realize exists. They live deep underground in flood channels that run for hundreds of miles under our city. “It’s quiet, it’s lonely, it’s dark, wet and damp” says Paul Vautrinot, who once lived in the tunnels. He had resigned to the fact that he would die homeless living in a flood drain, until he received help from the Shine-A-Light Foundation. He’s now leading the group as the executive director, dedicating his life to reaching those living the life he once lived.
“I got a response back and it was Paul,” says Donica Martinez. “I just poured my heart out and I said I’m a heroin, cocaine and crystal meth junkie and I don’t know how to stay clean.” Donica had no sober friends and didn’t know what to do or where to go, but when she contacted Shine-A-Light, help arrived within minutes. “They saved my life,” says Donica. “I owe a life debt that I can never repay.”
Donica, along with many others who have received help through Shine-A-Light do what they can to give back. This includes showing up every Saturday morning to head deep into the tunnels to extend help to those living underground. “We just try to head into the tunnels and meet up with people living there,” says George Petty. “We try to get them to accept our help.” George and Donica work together in the tunnels almost every Saturday. The two have a lot in common. They know each other from the tunnels where they were both once homeless, their lives much different now. George is the lead program case manager for Shine-A-Light. Donica works for the Nevada Homeless Alliance.
“I use my lived experience of homelessness and trauma to help people out there,” says Donica. “We look for ways to bust barriers and bridge gaps to help those transition from homelessness into housing.” Shine-A-Light welcomes anyone who wants to volunteer their time to help. They are a large group of supportive people who love and encourage each other, all with one main goal—to give back. “It’s hopeful and it’s heartbreaking because you want to go in and pull every single person out,” says America DePasquale. “But if they aren’t ready you just have to accept that.”
The city of Las Vegas Multi-agency Outreach Resource Engagement Team or MORE reached America in the tunnels when she was at an all-time low in life. Now she’s employed at the city’s Courtyard Homeless Resource Center and spends a good amount of her time volunteering for Shine-A-Light.
“We’ve just attracted people that have been able to change their own lives and want to be a part of delivering the message of hope” says Jeff Iverson, who is the Co-Founder of Shine-A-Light. “They have a story that has depth and weight. When these people come down here and share their story it just builds a level of trust that you can’t get any other way.”
No matter how hopeless life may seem, Donica wants others to know there is always a way out. “These are amazing people with big hearts that have been through the gutter and made it out.” “No matter how far you go down that hole we are here and we have that rope for you.”
Shine-A-Light estimates there’s about 2,000 people live underground in these tunnels. So far this year, Shine-A-Light has been able to help about 300 people get out and into permanent housing. If you know someone who needs help, visit lasvegasnevada.gov/homeles
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