San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority and Palms Casino Resort Host Second Annual Forging Hope Yawa’ Awards Honoring Nonprofits Uplifting Southern Nevada
Four Outstanding Organizations Receive the Prestigious Yawa’ Award for Their Impact in the Community
The San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority (SMGHA) and Palms Casino Resort proudly hosted the second annual Forging Hope Yawa’ Awards, celebrating four exceptional nonprofit organizations for their dedicated service to communities in Southern Nevada.
Honorees received the prestigious Yawa’ Award, a distinction rooted in the Serrano cultural tradition of “acting on one’s beliefs.” Yawa’ is a guiding principle of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, emphasizing hospitality, generosity, and a commitment to community. The selected organizations were recognized for their outstanding service, resilience, and lasting contributions to the region.
The awards ceremony, held at KAOS at Palms, began with the San Manuel Bird Singers sharing their cultural songs. The awards ceremony continued with Punam Mathur, a renowned speaker, trainer, and philanthropy executive with the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, serving as master of ceremonies.
2025 Yawa’ Award Honorees included the Culinary Academy of Southern Nevada, HELP of Southern Nevada, Olive Crest – Las Vegas, and Nevada Legal Services.
In a special moment, each honoree was presented with a handcrafted Serrano gourd rattle, created by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) Tribal Youth, and an additional unrestricted $25,000 gift to further their mission.
“Each of these organizations embodies the true spirit of Yawa’—turning belief into action to create lasting change,” said Latisha Prieto, Chairperson of the San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority. “Their dedication to uplifting the community mirrors the values our Tribal Nation holds dear. It is an honor to recognize their unwavering commitment and to stand alongside them in making a difference.”
The SMGHA partners with hundreds of organizations throughout the year, offering a “hand up” to vulnerable populations served by nonprofit organizations. The SMGHA and SMBMI have awarded more than $16 million in grants to the Las Vegas community, supporting four key giving pillars: Inspiring Our Future Through Education, Empowering Lives, Reinforcing Healthy and Resilient Communities, and Preserving Cultural Traditions and Empowering Indian Country.
“Southern Nevada’s nonprofits play an essential role in strengthening our communities,” said Carla Rodriguez, Vice Chair and Secretary of the San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority. “Their work ensures that individuals and families receive the support they need, and we are honored to help further their missions.”
By investing in organizations that make an impact in our communities, the San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority and Palms Casino Resort reaffirm their commitment to fostering a stronger, more connected Southern Nevada.
About San Manuel Gaming & Hospitality Authority
The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority is a governmental instrumentality of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, a federally recognized Indian tribe, created for the purpose of independently carrying out the investment in, and ownership and management of, gaming and hospitality businesses outside of the San Manuel Reservation.
About the 2025 Forging Hope Yawa’ Award Honorees:
Culinary Academy of Southern Nevada (Inspiring our Future Through Education)
The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas provides high-quality training that will enable low-income people, displaced workers, those with disabilities, those with English as their second language, and those who otherwise would not have equitable employment, to have successful careers with a living wage, benefits, employer-provided insurance, and opportunities for career advancement. It remains the only professional Cook/Apprenticeship program in Nevada, pipelining hundreds of professionals into the workforce every year. In 2022, 90% of new Culinary Academy students were living below the poverty line and in need of tuition assistance, along with at least one supportive service provided by the school, the three most common being childcare subsidies, rental assistance, and English as a Second Language class.
About the 2025 Forging Hope Yawa’ Award Honorees:
Culinary Academy of Southern Nevada (Inspiring our Future Through Education)
The Culinary Academy of Las Vegas provides high-quality training that will enable low-income people, displaced workers, those with disabilities, those with English as their second language, and those who otherwise would not have equitable employment, to have successful careers with a living wage, benefits, employer-provided insurance, and opportunities for career advancement. It remains the only professional Cook/Apprenticeship program in Nevada, pipelining hundreds of professionals into the workforce every year. In 2022, 90% of new Culinary Academy students were living below the poverty line and in need of tuition assistance, along with at least one supportive service provided by the school, the three most common being childcare subsidies, rental assistance, and English as a Second Language class.
HELP of Southern Nevada (Empowering Lives)
For the past 52 years, HELP of Southern Nevada has zeroed in on gaps in community services by developing programs that fit its mission of helping people help themselves. HELP assists families and individuals throughout Southern Nevada to overcome barriers and attain self-sufficiency through direct services, training and referrals to community resources. HELP is the largest provider of beds for homeless youth in Southern Nevada. Through the Shannon West Homeless Youth Shelter, the agency serves as a safe and stable environment for homeless youth who have aged out of foster care. The shelter has a capacity for up to 150 youth per night, from the ages of 16-24.
Olive Crest – Las Vegas (Reinforcing Healthy & Resilient Communities)
Olive Crest Las Vegas was established in 1996 to prevent child abuse by strengthening, equipping, and restoring children and families in crisis, “One Life at a Time.” Their vision is a strong family for every child, and to do so, they provide various services to families that reduce the risks of abuse in the household and keep families together. Currently, Olive Crest Las Vegas provides critical safety-net services to more than 5,000 children and families in Southern Nevada each year.
Nevada Legal Services (Preserving Cultural Traditions & Empowering Indian Country)
Nevada Legal Services was established in 1981 and has become the pre-eminent legal services organization in the State of Nevada. Their mission is to strengthen the community by ensuring fairness and providing equal access to justice for low-income Nevadans. Nevada Legal Services provides the full range of services to all seventeen counties in Nevada.
To learn more about the SMGHA’s giving program, visit Palms Cares.
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SMGHA and Palms Casino Resort Host 2nd Annual Forging Hope Yawa’ Awards Honoring Nonprofits Uplifting Southern Nevada
DescriptionSMGHA and Palms Casino Resort Host 2nd Annual Forging Hope Yawa’ Awards Honoring Nonprofits Uplifting Southern Nevada