Opportunity Alliance Nevada

To build financial stability for all Nevadans

Financial Literacy Month Proclamation

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Dian VanderWell, Sparks City CouncilWoman for Ward 2 and OANV Board President, and Tracy Sherwood, OANV Director of Operations

Opportunity Alliance Nevada appreciates that The City of Sparks is recognizing that financial stability is an imperative factor in the health of Sparks citizens by proclaiming April as Financial Literacy Month. OANV’s mission to provide resources to and support the financial stability of all Nevadans will be enhanced by your recognition. Thank you on behalf of the OANV Board of Directors.

Click Here to Download Proclamation

 

OANV Welcomes New Executive Director and Program Director

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Click Here to Download Press Release

Reno, NV (February 2, 2022) – Opportunity Alliance Nevada Board of Directors is pleased to announce the promotions of Kellie George as our new Executive Director and Laurie Martin as Program Director.

Kellie George eagerly accepted the position of Executive Director after serving OANV over the past 15 years in several capacities, which include Board Member, Committee Chair of the Financial Stability Youth Committee, and most recently as “Platform Monitor” for the COVID-19 Response Team, aiding Nevadan’s financially impacted during the pandemic crisis. Kellie is a business finance and human behavior consultant; and has become a specialist in the “people” business by helping companies retain their talent, bridging the gap between workforce development and companies looking for skilled talent, and connecting people to resources that support financial stability and mental wellness.

Kellie provides training in business finance acumen, leadership, communication, and personal finance. She has her B.S. in Communication and over 35 years of experience in public speaking, business management, and market development. Her passion is to empower people through increased self-awareness and personal understanding. Kellie likes to spend her free time in the great outdoors.

Laurie Martin is thrilled to step into the role of Program Director after working as a “Platform Monitor” on the COVID-19 Response Team. She came to OANV as a lifetime certified Bridges Out of Poverty trainer, which she began in 2011, first as a “Getting Ahead in a Just Gettin’By World” facilitator through the FoodBank of Northern Nevada. Laurie is also a lifetime certified trainer for Bridges to Health and Healthcare and has worked statewide in urban and rural communities. Her background is in Public Education and Health, holding a Master’s degree in Public and Health Services Administration and a K – 12 Teaching Credential. Laurie worked most recently as Director of Community Youth Development for the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District. She was an elected trustee for Tahoe Forest Hospital District for eight years. At RhythmU, she facilitates embodiment practices for health and well-being, including HeartMath, HealthRhythms Drumming, and Conscious Dance.

Both Kellie George and Laurie Martin are available to talk with you and your organization about how to support, partner, and collaborate with Opportunity Alliance Nevada.

Unite Us and OANV Partner

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Unite Us and Opportunity Alliance Nevada Partner to Remove Social and Structural Barriers for Social and Health Care in Nevada

Click Here to Download 2021 Impact Report

Opportunity Alliance Nevada is working with Unite Nevada, the Nevada Network for Unite Us platform, to create a network of Nevada community-based organization social service and health care providers to support Nevadans and their communities streamline their referral processes, address Nevadans’ social needs, and improve health across Nevadan communities.

Unite Us offers a technology-based, coordinated care network that enables health and social service care providers across communities to connect with one another for seamless referral and service delivery. The Unite Us Platform is available at no cost to community service providers in Nevada, thanks to support from Health Plan of Nevada: A United Healthcare Company, who are already using the Unite Us Platform to connect patients with community-based organizations. The Unite Nevada network offers a coordinated care network of health and social service providers to address people’s social needs and improve health across communities.  Most importantly, the Unite Us Platform helps communities better connect health and social care, which helps address health equity issues.

To join the Unite Nevada network, contact OANV at OpportunityAllianceNV@gmail.com to request your organization be added to the Unite Us network invite list.

To learn more about Unite Us and the work they’re doing in communities across the country, visit www.uniteus.com.

Click Here to Download Infographic

Lynne Keller

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Remembering Lynne Keller
lynne-kellerAs many may already know, our beloved Lynne Keller passed away December 16, 2020, at her son’s home in Spanish Springs, Nevada.

Lynne was a founding member of the OANV leadership team and served as the Executive Director, the Director of Finance, and finally, as our outside bookkeeper. Her early direction and support to OANV was the keystone to our growth and continued success.

Anyone who knew Lynne felt her passion for serving others. She was always willing to lend a helping hand to a young entrepreneur, to a new start-up or small business in our area or those who could benefit from her experience and wisdom. She was actively involved with the Small Business Development Center and the School of Business’ Sontag Competition at the University of Nevada Reno, where she lent her expertise and support to budding entrepreneurs.

Lynne held the distinction of being one of the longest-serving female General Managers of a casino during her tenure at the Gold Dust West Casino here in Reno. Many will miss “Momma Lynne” as she was referred to by the casino family. Her experiences in the gaming industry influenced all her later work in our community and her unwavering support of casino workers’ rights.

Please join OANV in celebrating the life of our extraordinary friend, mentor, colleague, and community supporter that was Lynne Keller. Her presence and influence will continue to be felt for years to come.

Lynne will be missed and our hearts are heavy at her loss.