about us

VISION AND MISSION

Vision:
To see the city of Las Vegas transformed by the love of Christ, one life at a time, through authentic relationships, intentional mentorship, and the power of the gospel.

Mission:
LV Reach exists to empower individuals by offering Christ-centered programs that restore dignity, promote personal development, and guide people toward their God-given destiny, impacting the city through transformed lives.

LV Reach is a faith-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with the purpose of helping and healing our inner cities of Las Vegas through food, educational resources, medical assistance, and mentorship. Dedicated to transforming lives and eliminating hunger in the Las Vegas Valley. We are firmly committed to providing programs that will empower individuals with life skills, resources, and essential support for survival in both the 89169 zip code and the greater Las Vegas area. Our goal is to ensure they receive the essential support necessary while creating a meaningful impact on their lives.

FOUR CORE VALUES

Compassion in Action:
We embody Christ’s love by serving others with kindness, respect, and a heart for transformation

Empowerment Through Discipleship:
We equip individuals with spiritual, emotional, and practical tools that help them to grow.

Integrity & Stewardship:
We serve with excellence, transparency, and accountability, honoring God with our resources

Community & Transformation:
We cultivate Christ-centered relationships that create lasting change and impact in individuals and their families

MEET OUR TEAM

Our small, but mighty staff is consisted of talented individuals ready to face the community’s biggest issues.

 

Gary Stover

Gary Stover

Director

Gary serves as a key leader at LV Reach, where he contributes to strategic decision-making and oversees fundraising initiatives. Prior to joining the organization, he dedicated several decades to public service as a Captain with the Clark County Fire Department. In addition to his role as Director at LV Reach, Gary is on staff at Awaken Church Las Vegas, where he serves as the Gospel Advancement Coordinator. He is deeply committed to Christian missions, frequently serving alongside his wife, and finds great joy in spending time with their seven grandchildren.

Kristi Barile

Kristi Barile

Manager

Kristi serves as manager of LV Reach, overseeing education programs, events, the community kitchen, and the day-to-day operations that keep the organization running smoothly. She brings both strong leadership and a servant’s heart to her role, with a passion for creating spaces where people feel supported, equipped, and cared for.

Prior to joining LV Reach, she dedicated many years as a homeschool mom. She has been married for 28 years and is the proud mother of two adult children, and recently welcomed a new daughter-in-law into the family.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, capturing photographs along the way, and occasionally turning those moments into paintings. She also loves taking Precept Bible classes and serving with Young Adults at Awaken LV, where she has been an active member since 1999.

Kaylyn Cortez

Kaylyn Cortez

Administrative Assistant

Kaylyn serves as an administrative assistant at LV Reach, focusing on social media content creation and aiding the team in administrative needs. She has prior experience in mentoring middle school students as a church youth leader. 
 
Kaylyn is a recent graduate at the University of Nevada- Las Vegas and enjoys serving her local community through public health efforts.

Kelly Paulsen

Kelly Paulsen

Development Director

Kelly Paulsen is the Development Director for LV Reach, bringing a heart for people, creativity, and faith-driven leadership to her role. Originally from Northern Michigan, she has called Las Vegas home for the past four years.

Kelly has been married to her husband, John, for 28 years, and together they have four children: Jack, Hailey, Riley, and Kennedy. After giving her life to Jesus in 2018, Kelly felt a strong calling to serve. In recent years, she has joyfully volunteered at Awaken Las Vegas in both Women’s Ministry and Awaken Kids. With over 15 years of experience designing interiors for multimillion-dollar homes, she now uses her creative gifts and passion for relationship-building to help advance the mission of LV Reach and create lasting community impact.

EMPOWERING OUR COMMUNITY

OUR WORK

2020
E
2020

Inception

After 13 years of Blessfest (held on Thanksgiving) and in the middle of a global pandemic, Awaken Las Vegas decided to take that same heart and vision and meet the physical and spiritual needs of the community year-round.

2020
ï•‹
2020

First Steps

After lots of planning and prayer, LV Reach decided to set its roots in the 89169 community. A location was found next to one of our community partners, Balm of Gilead.

2021
ï ‡
2021

Start of Construction

Although there were material shortages and challenges, construction began in 2021! The layout was built in order to provide multiple services to bring aid to the community.

2022

2022

LV Reach Grand Opening

The official grand opening of LV Reach was May of 2022. LV Reach is predominately led by volunteers and began serving children and families of all ages and backgrounds.

2023

2023

Expanding Our Team

In 2023 we hired our first staff members! LV Reach staff supports our volunteer leaders who continue to be our teachers, tutors, cooks, and counselors.

The Future

The Future

Building Community

Our commitment to fostering relationships, creating transformative experiences, expanding our team, and making a difference in our community remains strong. We are filled with hope and determination to build a bright future together, guided by our faith and the unwavering support of our community.

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