Meet The Neighbor – Erika Pike Turner
By Callie Thomas
Imagine what life would be like without passion. It’s what spurs athletes to win, doctors to find a cure and men and women to do what’s right – whether it be for their fellow neighbor or for their own families. Living without passion is simply not an option for 89123 resident Erika Pike Turner. It’s evident in her passion as a wife and mother, in her job as a partner and litigator at Gordon Silver and in her work advocating for abused and neglected children in Nevada’s foster care system. In fact, Turner has been awarded many times over for her passion for giving a voice to those that do not have one. She’s received the Myra Williams Award for Pro Bono Services for Children, a Senator Harry Reid Commendation for Pro Bono Services and a United States Commendation for Pro Bono Service. She’s also regularly recognized by the Pro Bono Project for services that qualify her for the 50 Hours Club and 100 Hours Club.
The fourth generation Las Vegan is proud to be making a difference within the community and happily raising a fifth generation of caring, passionate people: her children Alexander and Cassandra with husband Brad. For the past fifteen years, Turner has helped her clients as a commercial litigator by aggressively pursuing their goals in court or through arbitration and mediation. Throughout the last decade she’s also provided her extensive knowledge and expertise free of charge to ensure that the children in the system know that the court and the “system” care about their wants, needs and dreams. Erika talks with us about what drives her, working with the Clark County foster care system and how success comes with perseverance and grit.
Why is giving back to the community so important to you?
“There are people that come in and out of Las Vegas, but the core that lives here with an intention to stay need to do something to help make the community better. This is my home and I am happy to volunteer my time.”
How did you become interested in working with the Clark County foster care system?
“My sister is a social worker. She works day in and day out with Nevada’s abused and neglected children and the frustrations of trying to get them the services or homes they need in the context of our broken and under-funded system. Hearing her stories, I resolved to help. I don’t think there is anything as important as helping a child, and the pro bono work I do for the Children’s Attorney Project is certainly the most important legal work I do.”
Any experiences that you could share?
“There are so many stories, but as a result of my obligation to keep communications with the kids confidential, I can never paint a complete enough picture for people to really appreciate the experience. Suffice it to say, people do horrible things to children, and despite some wonderful people opening up their hearts and homes, there is an enormous need for advocacy to ensure that these children have a chance at a better life.”
What accomplishments make you proud?
“I have many accomplishments in my career, most of them involving a client resolving a dispute, but there’s no accomplishment better than seeing my kids succeed.”
As a fourth generation Las Vegan, do you have a favorite Las Vegas moment?
“I can’t pick just one. April 4, 1998 at the top of the Rio (the VooDoo Lounge) when my husband clumsily asked me to marry him; going to Alpine Village restaurant when I was a kid and to Red Rock with my family for a Sunday morning hike and marveling at the beauty.”
You have said that with success comes laundry. Care to explain?
“Working so many hours and with a full house, I do an enormous amount of laundry. While it isn’t a hobby, it has certainly become a longstanding pastime.”
Making a Difference – Miracle Mile Shops
When you throw a coin into the elaborate fountain at the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, you might not get what you wish for, but there’s a good chance you’ll make someone else’s wish come true. As part of their Caring, Giving, Changing campaign, Miracle Mile Shops is conducting monthly “fountain fundraisers” and donating money received in their fountain to local charities and organizations.
One beneficiary of Miracle Mile’s generosity is the Boys and Girls Clubs of Henderson, who recently received over $1,600 thanks to the unique fundraiser. In addition, the Caring, Giving, Changing campaign also raises funds for other programs and groups through community sponsorships, additional partnerships and a number of cash and in-kind donations. Other groups that have benefitted from the fundraiser include Shriners Hospitals for Children, Aid for AIDS of Nevada, Communities in Schools of Nevada, the American Heart Association and many more. In 2011 alone, the shops raised a total of $100,000 and hope to surpass that figure by the end of 2012.
Wishes may not always come true when you toss a coin into a fountain, but the next time you’re in the Miracle Mile Shops, don’t hesitate to donate some of that spare change. It’s one place where you can rest assured that those couple of coins will go toward making a better community for all.
For more information on Miracle Mile Shops, visit www.miraclemileshopslv.com.
Making A Difference
Henderson International School
For victims of domestic violence, finding help can sometimes be difficult. Since 1977, those who have suffered domestic abuse in Las Vegas have been able to turn to Safe Nest for support, shelter, advocacy and more. Thanks to a clothing drive held on April 10th by the Henderson International School, Safe Nest received some basic necessities to help those in their care.
The clothing drive, held by students and staff as part of the school’s “Kindness Week,” began with donors dropping off clothes at the school’s campus. Students then arranged the clothes on the football field to spell out the words “Be Kind” for all to see, a stunning visual representation of the power of generosity. In fact, so many clothes were collected during the drive that the words turned out larger than anyone thought they would! The initiative was inspired by the Josh Stevens Foundation, a local charity organization that inspires everyone to take time out to be kind to others.
While some of us may not give a second thought to things like the clothes in our closets, those seeking help from Safe Nest are sure to appreciate the compassion and dedication of the Henderson International School in ensuring that some of their basic needs are provided for.
For more information on how you can help Safe Nest, visit www.safenest.org.
TRONOX LLC
Mining has always been a large part of Nevada’s history, so it’s important for local youth to learn about its heritage as well as the hazards of abandoned mines. This past April, TRONOX LLC sponsored and participated in the McCaw School of Mines Golf Tournament and 15th Annual Dinner and Auction to help show their continued support for the school.
Since the inception of the McCaw School of Mines, which is built on the campus of the Gordon McCaw Elementary School in Henderson, TRONOX LLC has donated equipment to help construct the school’s mine exhibits. One such exhibit features a reproduction of an actual mine designed to educate students about mining and the dangers of abandoned mine entrances. “The McCaw School of Mines gives students an interactive experience to become familiar with Nevada’s mining history and safety initiatives,” says Rick Stater, Henderson Plant Manager for TRONOX LLC. “We look forward to expanding the program through our commitment in continued funding.”
Proceeds from the golf tournament, dinner and auction will go towards the upkeep, maintenance and expansion of the McCaw
School of Mines. Thanks in great part to the charitable contributions of TRONOX LLC, students from around the valley can participate in this hands-on experience and learn more about one of our state’s great legacies.
For more information on the McCaw School of Mines, visit www.mccawschoolofmines.org.
LinkedUp for Learning
One of the most important parts of the educational process is making sure students have the textbooks they need. With an impressive donation from LinkedUp for Learning, students throughout the valley received thousands upon thousands of textbooks this past April as part of an initiative to help improve our quality of education.
A mutual partnership between the Latin Chamber of Commerce, Another Joy Foundation, the Clark County School District and The Public Education Foundation, LinkedUp for Learning has donated generous amounts of textbooks to schools across Southern Nevada. R.O. Gibson Middle School received textbooks in both English and Spanish for use as supplemental teaching material in the school’s Dual Language Immersion Academy. Seven other CCSD schools received almost 25,000 Spanish language textbooks in various subjects for use in dual language programs, while sixteen Clark County schools were given nearly 10,000 English language textbooks covering everything from science to reading. More books will be distributed in the near future with material being specifically chosen to supplement the current curriculum.
“This is a powerful example of how public-private partnerships can impact public education,” said Judi Steele, president of The Public Education Foundation. “By linking our efforts together, we are leveraging all our resources to make a measurable and meaningful difference for all our children and our future.”
For more information about LinkedUp for Learning, visit www.thepef.org/programs_linkedup.html.
Couture for Causes
With such a high dropout rate in Southern Nevada, encouraging kids to stay in school is of particular importance to an organization such as Communities in Schools of Nevada. This past April, the 4th Annual Couture for Causes event brought together more than 400 fashionistas and their families for an afternoon shopping soiree to help support CISN’s mission to help local youth.
Event hosts Bree and Jason Goldwater transformed their ranch into an upscale flea market featuring a fashion tent filled with exquisite garments and accessories donated by local residents and boutique shops, the sale of which helped benefit CISN. The gathering also included a backyard cocktail reception area, a children’s activity corner and a phenomenal array of dining and libation offerings. Chefs from Wynn Las Vegas supplied miniature sliders, edamame, specialty tater tots and sushi, while mixologists from The Cosmopolitan manned a signature Bloody Mary Bar. Entertainment was provided by the talented performers of Wynn’s Le Rêve – The Dream, dancers from the Nevada Ballet Theatre and much more.
