At NYEP, we believe that any young person that wants an opportunity to get ahead in life AND is willing and capable to do what’s necessary to make the most of that opportunity should not be denied.

For close to ten years, Nevada Youth Empowerment Project (NYEP), a Reno-based 501©3 non-profit organization, has provided its innovative Community Living Program (CLP) to over 70 transition aged teens to develop them to self sufficiency.  Your generous donations will help us provide basic needs and daily support to older youth and young adults who have not learned the lessons and skills necessary to live successfully on their own.  These young people have been left to fend for themselves by varying circumstances, usually arriving at NYEP without a high school diploma and no work experience.

In December of 2014, several donors came together and purchased us a much larger home to allow our program to scale from serving 6 to 15.  Did you know it only takes 2850 people to give $8.88 per month to sustain NYEP’s Community Living Program?  This allows us to provide a residential life program to transitioning youth facing poverty and homelessness.  We even provide an onsite clothing closet for youth in need. 
You can make a difference! Please click on the Donate Now button below, and partner with us today! Be an angel. Be our Fierce Sustainer.

By becoming a partner, your investment into this project will give both you and community a large payoff. It is estimated that an established adults will earn $375,300 over a lifetime.  But, when a youth fails to realize their potential, they impose – on average and compared to other youth – an immediate taxpayer burden of $13,900 per year and an immediate social burden of $37,450 per year.  Once they reach 25, they will subsequently impose a future lifetime taxpayer burden of $170,740 and a social burden of $529,030. 

Multiple studies link the transition to (successful) independence to being adequately supported by parents. This includes life skills, opportunities to practice, accountability, resources, and positive adult interaction. We step in and create an extended family of sorts that prepares them for the life ahead.

The supports that NYEP provides to struggling older youth include:

• Community Living Program (CLP) - A 9-18 month residential life program for unprepared older youth 18+ who want to live on their own but don’t know how.  We do all that’s mentioned above AND while in the program, residents have access to professional mentors, in addition to daily staff interaction.
• Affordable Housing for College Age Kids– A 5 bedroom home across from UNR where income-qualified, productive students can live for up to 3 years for $300/month.

NYEP’s approach to youth service delivery is innovative and falls outside the conventional, traditional supports that are not making much difference in youth outcomes. Our CLP is sure to have lasting, positive impacts on both the individuals it serves and the community as a whole as a direct result of young people being community contributors instead of standing in food pantry lines, accessing public welfare or living in tent city. Our goal is to reverse this trend, one youth at a time. 

We are 100% community funded.  We receive NO federal, state or county tax dollars.  We count on your financial help to do this important work.