Boys Town Nevada honored Raiders owner Mark Davis on Friday at its Impact Gala at the M Resort, recognizing his support for youth mental health in Southern Nevada. The event, titled Team Up for Mental Health, coincided with the organization's 35th anniversary of providing mental and behavioral health services to area youth and families.
Davis deflected personal credit for the award, saying, "What it is, it's a recognition of the teamwork that we have ... nobody does anything by themselves." Boys Town Nevada Executive Director John Etzell said the Raiders have been "absolutely transformational from a philanthropic perspective" since arriving in Southern Nevada six years ago.
The Raiders Foundation operates on three pillars: supporting military and veterans, youth development, and promoting health and wellness with an emphasis on mental health. "Mental health is one of the big issues that the Raiders take really seriously," Davis said. "That's one of the pillars of our foundation. And there's many organizations in Las Vegas that we are a part of."
According to Boys Town, its health clinic has provided 16,657 mental health sessions, conducted 239 autism assessments, and delivered evidence-based therapy to 1,655 children over the past five years. The organization provides youth mental and behavioral health services, family support, in-home intervention programs, school-based behavioral supports, autism assessments and care, and crisis prevention resources.
Beyond Boys Town, Davis, the Raiders, and minority owners Michael Meldman and Egon Durban donated $25 million toward Southern Nevada's first standalone children's hospital, which Intermountain Health is developing. Davis said focusing on youth is important because they will be the next generation of leaders.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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