May is National Foster Care Month and it's a time to recognize that we each play an integral part in enhancing the lives of OUR youth in foster care. Foster care is a support to families, not a substitute for parents. In celebration of Foster Care Month, we had a special viewing of the HBO documentary " FOSTER" which chronicles the experiences of several youth in the foster care system in Los Angeles County. The movie showcases some systemic problems in the foster care system, namely; instability of placements, separation of siblings, and the feelings of being unloved and hopelessness experienced by many youth in foster care. However, the overarching message of the movie, at least in my eyes, was that all foster care youth need is that one person in their life who is non-judgmental and willing to give them unconditional love and support. With such a person in their life, the youth have hope in their futures. In the words of Nelson Mandela, "there can be no greater gift than that of giving one's time and energy to helping others without expecting anything in return." Thank you to our foster parents and CASA volunteers for your gift to OUR youth!              

Tyrone, a native Las Vegan, embraced this community and focused on human and community services for many years. Tyrone's career path, as well as his volunteer commitments, always involved helping the residents of this community. And, as Tyrone once put it, " contributing to the betterment of the community in which I was born and raised can't get any sweeter than that!"

Tyrone's journey toward giving back began after graduation from Northern Arizona University, when he returned to Las Vegas and worked in the City of Las Vegas Municipal Court as a Court Intake Officer. At the age of 21, he landed a job at Nevada State Welfare where he served in varies capacities for nine years before moving on to Clark County Government, where he served as a Neighborhood Liaison for Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates. Tyrone was entrusted with many projects that benefited the residents of District D. From there, Tyrone was promoted to Community Outreach Manager for the Parks and Community Services Department, and later transitioned to Clark County Social Service to oversee the Ryan White Title I program, a federally funded program benefiting those infected and affected with HIV/AIDS. In November 2006, Tyrone moved to the City of Las Vegas, to serve as the Neighborhood Planning and Initiatives Manager, where he was responsible for key initiatives adopted by the Mayor, City Council and community at large, to include Homeless, Youth, Seniors, the Faith Based Community, and Volunteers.   Read More

CASA VIDEO clip of Tyrone Thompson