LAS VEGAS— March 27, 2025— The Campus for Hope Foundation named Kim Jefferies to lead the transformational project to address homelessness in Southern Nevada. Most recently, Jefferies served as the President and CEO of San Antonio’s Haven for Hope, the proven model upon which the Campus for Hope will be based.
“I have dedicated my life to helping others reach their potential, most recently helping people overcome homelessness through transformation,” said Jefferies. “I am humbled and honored to be a part of Southern Nevada’s bold project to bring comprehensive, life changing services that will help thousands of Nevadans regain their lives and end their homelessness. The ability to bring firsthand experience in the campus model with the lessons learned throughout the years will only deepen the profound impact on those that are unhoused and the broader community.”
“Strong leadership is vital to the success of any project and certainly one as ambitious as Campus for Hope,” said Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager of the Nevada State Legislature. “Kim’s experience and proven track record of success will ensure that Campus for Hope’s transformational vision will become a reality in Southern Nevada. I look forward to working with her to change lives for the better.”
Members of the Campus for Hope Foundation and leaders in the business community studied homelessness and how communities across the country were working to help their unhoused populations regain the footing in their lives. In their 18-month search the team was introduced to Jefferies who was leading Haven for Hope.
“Kim and her team transformed the lives of thousands of people in San Antonio and we know she will bring the passion and the program knowledge to help the most vulnerable in our community,” said Virginia Valentine, president and CEO of the Nevada Resorts Association. “We visited several organizations across the country and Haven for Hope has an impressive program, graduates of the program have a 91% housing retention rate one year after completing the program.”
With more than 25 years of nonprofit experience, Jefferies was selected to lead the Haven for Hope in 2021. Under Jefferies’s leadership, Haven for Hope expanded its programs and funding base, added data collection and analysis to better inform programing and provided its more than 300 employees opportunities for professional and skill growth. Jefferies has an interdisciplinary studies bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a master’s degree in nonprofit management from Our Lady of the Lake University. With Jefferies’ leadership and expertise and the support of local and state leaders, Las Vegas is poised to set a new standard in compassionate, effective homeless services.
How Campus for Hope Is Different
This visionary campus will provide a holistic approach to addressing homelessness, offering not just temporary housing but a pathway to stability, employment, and permanent housing. Campus for Hope will be a comprehensive approach to homelessness. The Campus for Hope will be dramatically different from any other project created to ease homelessness and will be fully integrated with partners in the community. This beautiful, trauma-informed campus will be built on the principle that treating people with dignity and respect in a positive environment creates accountability. This is not a shelter, but rather a transformation facility where people are able to obtain a variety of services to regain their footing in life.
“We welcome Kim to our Southern Nevada community,” said Aaron Sheets, CEO of HopeLink Southern Nevada. “Hopelink Nevada and current service providers and non-profits working with the homeless population look forward to collaborating with Kim and creating a complete community for the unhoused so they can get back on track with their lives.”
Timing
Jefferies started at the Campus for Hope on March 24 and is working with the Campus for Hope Foundation and local service providers on the next phase of the Campus for Hope.
The construction of the Campus for Hope will commence after individuals currently residing in the buildings on the site are relocated to housing appropriate for their specialized needs. It is anticipated the Campus for Hope will open in 2027.
Location
The Campus for Hope, announced in January, will be located on a 26-acre parcel of the current Southern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services campus. The site is centrally located and has convenient access to transportation.
More Information
The Campus for Hope Foundation is a $200 million public-private partnership created to bring a transformational approach to address homelessness in Southern Nevada. The Campus for Hope will be an entirely new facility that will provide some temporary housing with wrap-around services to create a holistic approach to address the underlying causes of homelessness. Sign up to receive updates, learn more and get involved by visiting www.nevadahope.org
