CRRYS Honored at Laughlin Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner.
June 14, 2004

The Colorado River Region Youth Shelter (CRRYS), a WestCare program, was chosen as 2004 Social Service Program of the Year at the 7th Annual Laughlin, Nevada Chamber of Commerce – Community Achievement Awards Banquet on Saturday, June 12.

“Hats off to the whole CRRYS crew for a continuous job well done,” said WestCare President and CEO, Richard E. Steinberg. “Thanks to all for going the extra mile to help the children who are in need of our services.”

The shelter, which opened in October 1994, provides emergency shelter for runaway, homeless and exploited youth in the tri-state areas of Arizona, California, and Nevada. A coalition of community members was instrumental in bringing emergency shelter services to the Colorado River region.

Vice President Charles Lehman recalls the first two children who received care at the shelter. Jonathon, a 10-year old boy, had been abused by his parents to such a degree that he wet his pants every time he heard a door slam. Twelve-year old Jessica was the victim of sexual abuse by her mother’s numerous boyfriends. Because of her traumatic experiences, Jessica was unable to sleep without lights on. Says Lehman, “We truly love and care about the children who come through our doors. Today, over 4,000 children like Jonathon and Jessica have received emergency shelter services at CRRYS.”

WestCare Arizona provides a full continuum of community-based, family-oriented social service and behavioral health programming to youth, adults and families in the tri-state area of Arizona, California and Nevada, and is an affiliate of WestCare a nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of experience providing a continuum of health and human services in community-based environments. WestCare currently provides services in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and specializes in serving individuals and families historically considered difficult to treat, such as those who are indigent, have multiple disorders or are involved with the criminal justice system.