In this episode of The HEALS Pod, I, Diego Trujillo, have the privilege of interviewing Mrs. Kathleen Miller, the founder of Living Grace Homes, an organization dedicated to supporting young homeless mothers in our community. As we dive into this critical issue, Kathleen shares her journey and the profound need for services that cater to this vulnerable population.

Kathleen recounts her move to Las Vegas in 1993 and her transition from a successful career in the insurance industry to nonprofit work. Her passion for helping others was ignited through her volunteer work at Lifeline, the first pregnancy resource center in Las Vegas. It was here that she recognized the urgent need for a safe haven for pregnant women facing homelessness, particularly those without supportive family structures.

Throughout our conversation, Kathleen sheds light on the stark realities faced by young mothers in crisis. She emphasizes that many of the women who come to Living Grace Homes have experienced abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and often lack the basic life skills necessary to navigate adulthood. With a staggering statistic that only 30% of the young women served have completed high school, Kathleen explains how Living Grace Homes addresses this gap through a comprehensive program that focuses on five key pillars: legal assistance, medical care, benefits acquisition, education, and life skills training.

One of the most poignant moments in our discussion is when Kathleen shares a personal story about a young woman who reached out to her as a last hope. This young mother was living behind a McDonald's, facing the impossible choice of homelessness or abortion. Kathleen's immediate response was to provide her with shelter, highlighting the urgent need for such services in our community.

As we explore the broader implications of homelessness and the challenges faced by young mothers, Kathleen discusses the systemic issues that contribute to this crisis, including the lack of adequate maternal and child health services in Clark County. She also touches on the intersection of homelessness with human trafficking and substance abuse, underscoring the complexity of the issues at hand.

Throughout the episode, I am struck by Kathleen's unwavering commitment to empowering these young women. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration with other organizations and the need for community support to continue their mission. We discuss the Safe and Sound campaign, aimed at expanding services for mothers over the age of 24, and the significant funding required to make this vision a reality.