Partnering up with AFAN
On Wednesday, August 10th, TSI artists, staff, and magazine contributors attended the ribbon cutting for the new AFAN supported residential community, Esperanza de Casa, meaning “House of Hope”. The 12-bedroom structure will provide residence for people living with AIDS/HIV in Las Vegas in need of housing assistance. Once fully operational, the property will also provide 8 additional apartment-style residences complete with a community garden known as Esperanza de Jardin, or the “Garden of Hope”. 
We were approached by Derek Washington who is facilitating the garden design, to contribute to a 200’ mural that will be painted by a variety of Las Vegas artists. He also asked if our talented artists could contribute to the garden signs that will mark the plots with the names of the people who contribute to their care. Transition Services will have their own plot to tend, as an opportunity to not only beautify the residence, but also grow plants and seeds used in many of the handmade products sold by our company. The social interaction with the people who live in the home will be of great benefit to both the residences and the individuals we serve, not to mention how fun it will be to get outside and dig in the dirt! Studio 8 Ten resident artist, Cinnamon Reeves designed the mural, which will be a large, colorful mosaic sun, and other TSI artists started to work painting the wall the day of the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Once we got on board with the garden project, Magdelena Brandon, the interior designer for the project, also requested we help out with a few other areas of the project. Since our Vegas Drive location has created their own unique art style using rolled balls of handmade paper scraps to make mosaic-style artwork, they have become quite popular to visitors to the site. Magdelena fell in love with the large pieces we showed her, and decided a smaller version for the welcome signs that will grace the doors when the new residents arrive would make them feel right at home. We also contributed a set of our handmade bath and body products to each room, as well as painted plant pots created by the contributors of Circles magazine.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by members of AFAN, as well as Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani, City of Las Vegas HUD officials, and members of Senator Harry Reid’s office, we were able to share a few words about our organization as well as our mission to not only provide meaningful work opportunities for people with disabilities, but also to truly teach the people we serve the importance of being a member of a community. Helping others is one way we can reach into the community and lend a helping hand, even as a 
non-profit team. By lending our talents and skills to assist others, we can show the community that non-profits, specifically those serving people with disabilities, are not always sitting on the sidelines with their hands out, but also are willing to pitch in to better the lives of others.
Photos by Domonique Clay-Brown
