Community

Las Vegas Sands has, via its Sands Cares community engagement and charitable giving program, unveiled a $400,000 investment in community organisations working to empower minority and ethnically diverse groups.

The Sands Cares diversity community engagement strategy is centred around the two key priorities of education and mentorship to support youth and workforce empowerment, and advancing social justice through advocacy and awareness. 

Organisations receiving funding in these areas include Nevada Partners, 100 Black Men Las Vegas, the Urban Chamber of Commerce Las Vegas, Hope for Prisoners, Mastering Mindsets Las Vegas, National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. – Las Vegas, and the Las Vegas Urban League. 

“Since the race-related events of 2020 sparked a deeper and more passionate conversation about the impact of systemic racism in our society, we’ve taken a hard look at how our company can more impactfully address race issues and be a catalyst for positive change,” said Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs at Las Vegas Sands

“We’ve taken measured steps to listen to the needs and viewpoints of our team members and met with key leaders of organisations that empower diverse groups to better understand how we can help advance their initiatives and provide solutions.” 

As part of this latest round of funding, Nevada Partners will receive $250,000 to address education and youth development in the west Las Vegas promise neighbourhood. 

Funds will support literacy programs, a variety of youth camps and mentoring programs, and the soon-to-be-launched Youth Empowerment Center, which will offer opportunities in technology and the arts to advance youth education. 

“This year has marked a moment in time when people are choosing to show greater support for these long-standing and sometimes ignored issues,” commented Kenadie Cobbin-Richardson, executive director of Nevada Partners

“We are grateful to Las Vegas Sands for its truly authentic commitment to moving the needle through this work. It is really powerful when the people behind the investments care, and that’s what we get from Sands.” 

Furthermore, $100,000 is also contributed to 100 Black Men Las Vegas to support its CrossRoads Mentoring and Life Skills program, Pathways to Public Service program, KCEP Teen Talk public radio talk show and the COVID-19 Community PPE program, which provides masks, gloves and sanitizer to community members.

In addition, Sands and 100 Black Men of Las Vegas will be exploring future collaborative opportunities such as internships and mentoring.  

Rounding off the Sands Cares’ diversity community engagement strategy, the company has also made a series of contributions to the other designated local organisations, which will further drive its commitment to removing barriers experienced by minority and ethnic communities through education, mentorship and social justice initiatives.