Shade Tree's new shelter offers refuge for women, kids

By JAN HOGAN

VIEW STAFF WRITER

After years of struggling to provide temporary housing for women and children in crisis, Shade Tree has a home of its own.

The new building in North Las Vegas sits on more than three-fourths of an acre, is three stories tall and is designed with a common area on each floor, flanked by sleeping areas, bathrooms, kitchen facilities and special use rooms.

Mary Hartwig, 39, is one of the women who had to seek shelter at Shade Tree. A single mother, she spent seven weeks there after her employer went out of business and she could not find another bartending job. With her at the shelter are her two boys, ages 6 and 12.

"I never planned to be homeless," she said. "I don't know what I'd do if it wasn't for this place."

Shade Tree allowed her to keep her sons in school while she found a new position, an apartment and got back on her feet.

The new building's 38,000 square feet of space holds 364 beds, compared to the 84 the original building housed. Outside, it has a contemplation garden, toddler play area and smoking patio. The new building's basement (6, 084 square feet), by itself, is larger than the old facility.

The price tag for all this is $5 million, which came from a grant by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. The money went for bricks and mortar and allowed the facility to buy all new beds and mattresses. An art gallery donated paintings for the walls and a hotel-casino donated portable cribs. But the facility needs to complete the furnishings and is relying on the community for support.

"It's almost a Catch-22," said Pamela Benjamin, board member. "People see we have a $5 million building and think we have our funding. But we need sheets, towels, furniture. The security system alone cost $100,000."

The new facility will have computers to help address the women's need for job training, pulling together resumes and learning typing. Manpower has offered to train the women on-site and teach them how to present themselves at job interviews.

It is a far cry from Shade Tree's beginnings.

In the former building located directly across the street, women and children had to walk through the bathroom to get to one of the common sleeping areas.

The old facility had a monthly power bill of $800 to $1,200 a month. In total, the annual operational budget for the original building was $420,000.

The new building will require a lot more funds to operate -- projected at $950,000 each year. While it was being constructed, electric bills were running $4,000 a month.

"We could see it go up to $12,000 a month," said Brenda Dizon, one of the board members.

For the time being, gathering the basics like shampoo, clothing, diapers and coffee will occupy volunteers' time.

Meanwhile, women like Hartwig cannot express their gratitude enough.

"If there was no Shade Tree," she said, pausing to shake off the thought. "That frightens me. I'm not sure what I would have done."

Those in need of help or interested in donating can contact Shade Tree at 385-4596.