LAS VEGAS -- The agency Kathleen Vermillion founded, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, is in damage control mode after a series of recent newsmaking events. Vermillion is no longer affiliated with agency and the current leadership is now reaching out to donors and supporters.
A two-page email was sent to donors and supporters, thanking them for the contributions. It also details what the agency is doing post Kathleen Vermillion being on the payroll.
"There is nothing more that touches my heart than taking care of kids," said John Simmons, a Nevada Partnership Board Member.
Since accusations of misappropriation of funds surfaced, and the termination of Kathleen Vermillion, the board has been having weekly meetings.
"The donors and the supporters need to know. We want them to be a big part of the lives of these young men and woman," Simmons said.
The Q Vegas Foundation is a donor to the agency.
"They provide food, shelter, safety to kids that otherwise have nowhere else to go. We don't want our youth on the streets," said Ben Lemke, Q Vegas Foundation.
Editor Ben Lemke says their foundation believes in what the agency does, and has no hesitation in being a contributor, even will all that has gone on.
"It's very important to know who you are giving to, and what they are going to do with the money and how they are going to distribute it. We are very picky with who we give our money to."
Lemke says the focus needs to stay on the kids rather than the founder's personal problems. "They are invisible to the system because they are not adults yet, they are children. So it's important to help them and, so far, there has been no loss of support from key donors," he said.
"There is no major contributor right now, that I am aware of, that has pulled out. It's all been positive. I have received calls from people in the community that want to come on the board and give us their support," Simmons said.
The board says they will keep their weekly meetings until they are comfortable with where the agency needs to be now that Vermillion is not affiliated with the group any longer.
John Simmons is a Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth board member.
