RENO, NEVADA — Earlier this week, the Reno Housing Authority (RHA) hosted an outreach event for residents of their Tom Sawyer Village community, with Civil Security Service (NVCSS) founder Andy Ng as its featured keynote speaker.

"Sawyer Village is where we serve a significant portion of our senior clientele," says Briana Aguirre, Director of Resident Services. "We want our communities to know we value their wellbeing and take a proactive approach."

The RHA outreach campaign started early Wednesday morning in front of the area's main community center. RHA staff had worked diligently to set up seats and a large screen under an outdoor canopy. An NVCSS patrol vehicle was parked nearby to attract curious residents.

"When you see [RHA staff] in action, you can tell they genuinely care," says Ng.

"Civil Security Service supports the Reno Housing Authority mission, so of course we're glad to help however we can."

RHA staff went door-to-door to engage with residents and invite them to the event. Seating quickly filled to capacity, with attendees enjoying freshly brewed coffee and a large assortment of warm pastries from a local bakery.

The RHA presentation, which was titled "Community Safety Awareness" and featured Ng as its main guest, centered around sharing information to help elderly residents improve their personal safety.

"It was an excellent turnout. Everyone was so engaged and inquisitive" says Ng. "It really speaks to the dedication of the RHA team. You get what you give."

Throughout the keynote, attendees posed questions ranging from home security advice to handling medical emergencies. As the event concluded, Deputy Executive Director JD Klippenstein announced plans to invest in security upgrades throughout the area. Klippenstein also explained recent measures taken to improve safety and ADA accessibility for residents with mobility issues.

"We're looking at all the options we have," said Klippenstein.

"[We do] care about your safety and our community," added Aguirre. "We're out here for you."

Numerous residents remained after the event to ask additional questions. For Ng, however, the highlight wasn't a question at all.

"One of the attendees told me [they]* were struggling with addiction," says Ng. "The event made [them] realize [they] wanted to get better."

The attendee eventually spoke to Rosa Hall, a Youth Workforce Development Coordinator for RHA. Hall immediately reached out to a contact at the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission (RSGM).

"RSGM has an open-door policy. Anyone that needs help gets it — food, shelter, recovery, and so on," says Ng. "Nobody gets turned away."

But there was still one problem. "[The attendee] had no way of getting there."

"Rosa asked me if I'd help," says Ng. "There was no need to think about it, I said yes right away."

After Hall confirmed with her contact, Ng gave the attendee a ride to RSGM.

"[They were] a nervous wreck," Ng recalls. "[They] broke down in tears during the drive. It was gut-wrenching."

Once they arrived, Ng accompanied the attendee to the office, where a waiting staff member began the intake process.

"I'll never forget that look of pure gratitude," says Ng. "It's a powerful reminder that everything happens for a reason. Even the smallest gestures can make a difference."

_{*Personal information and identifiable details have been changed or removed to protect individual privacy.}

About RHA

Reno Housing Authority (RHA) is charged with providing fair, sustainable, quality housing in diverse neighborhoods throughout Reno, Sparks and Washoe County that offers a stable foundation for low-income families to pursue economic opportunities, become self-sufficient and improve their quality of life.

RHA has a five-person Board of Commissioners, appointed by the Mayor of Reno with the concurrence of the Reno City Council. The Board of Commissioners appoints an Executive Director who administers the day-to-day operations of the organization.

RHA currently employs approximately 80 people, with duties ranging from maintenance and inspections to administration of the various RHA programs and complexes.

Media Contact

Reno Housing Authority (RHA)

• Phone: (775) 329-3630
• Email: management@renoha.org
• Website: renoha.org

About RSGM

The Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission (RSGM) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nondenominational Christian organization dedicated to helping the homeless, hungry, addicted and abused in the Northern Nevada area.

In 1963, one of Reno’s most infamous hotel & bars was transformed into a building that became a safe haven for people in recovery. From these humble beginnings, the Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission is now one of Northern Nevada’s largest Christian providers of addiction recovery and support.

Thanks to the faithful support of the community, today more than 200,000 men, women and families have found Christ-centered hope and healing at RSGM.

Media Contact

Reno-Sparks Gospel Mission (RSGM)

• Phone: (775) 323-0386
• Email: info@rsgm.org
• Website: rgsm.org