In the heart of Las Vegas, a silent crisis affects thousands of high school students every year: homelessness. Project 150 is a vital 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing free support and services to these homeless, displaced, and disadvantaged students across Southern Nevada. Founded in 2011 after local businessmen discovered 150 homeless students at Rancho High School needing help during Christmas break, the organization has since blossomed into a massive support system.

It now serves more than 6,800 students across 75 high schools in the region, including Shadow Ridge High School, ensuring these young individuals have the basic necessities to stay in school, graduate, and build successful futures. Their mission provides a crucial safety net for students who would otherwise have to choose between an education and survival, helping them overcome significant barriers to their success.

Project 150’s impact on the Las Vegas community is extensive, offering comprehensive programs that address a variety of student needs. Through “Betty’s Boutique,” students can “shop” for free clothing, hygiene products, school supplies, and accessories. The organization fights hunger by providing weekly food and meal bags to high school resource rooms and offering full holiday meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas to students and their families.

Project 150 also provides academic and career support, including college scholarships to graduating seniors, along with vital workshops on resume writing, financial literacy, and interviewing skills to prepare them for post-graduation success. They further assist with specific life events by providing caps and gowns for graduation, sports equipment so students can join teams, and formal wear for prom through an annual “Prom Closet” event. These services go beyond mere charity, offering dignity and opportunity.

“I think truthfully making the program more relevant and more seen is a good way to make it more accessible to the public, I think a lot of people in general don’t know what it is or haven’t heard about it to be able to donate or help in any way,” states Coach Dubois, teacher at Shadow Ridge.

Students at Shadow Ridge High School are in a unique position to help their peers throughout the valley, and their involvement is crucial to Project 150’s mission. Students can lead collection drives at their school for high-need items such as non-perishable food, new hygiene products, and school supplies like backpacks and notebooks. Individuals and groups can also volunteer their time at the Project 150 Brady Caipa Volunteer & Distribution Center to sort donations, pack meal bags, and prepare items for distribution.

A junior at the Ridge, Sarah Fisher comments, “I think this is a really good charity organization and if more people knew about this, people at Shadow, like the club Just Serve, could collaborate with them and we can get more involved as a school.”

Furthermore, utilizing social media and school networks, students can spread the word about the needs of homeless youth and encourage broader community involvement. Even small financial donations make a big difference; for instance, $25 can provide a complete holiday meal for a family of four. By engaging with Project 150, Shadow Ridge students directly support their peers, demonstrating the power of community engagement and helping to ensure every student has the resources they need to thrive.

Shadow Ridge students can volunteer online on the Project-150 website, the front office, or the sports office!