Tamika is a resilient advocate for the unheard and underserved, driven by her personal journey through profound loss, including the passing of her mother, grandmother, father, and aunt. These experiences have fueled her unwavering passion for mental health, well-being, and creating opportunities for individuals facing adversity. With over four years of experience in supportive services and more than 25 years in customer service, Tamika has dedicated her career to helping individuals experiencing homelessness in Southern Nevada. Her work reflects a deep commitment to dignity, compassion, and empowerment for those often overlooked.

Tamika’s advocacy extends beyond her professional roles. She has represented her community at Capitol Hill Day and is a graduate of Leadership Advance 2022 and Heart and Soul Career Development 2023. As a volunteer, she has contributed to organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and the California Museum. Through her lived experience and professional expertise, Tamika believes in change and continues to amplify the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves.

Born in Long Beach, CA, and raised in Las Vegas, NV, Martin Castro navigated through the highs and lows of life. After graduating from Western High School, he embarked on a journey that took unexpected turns. Dropping out of UNLV due to personal challenges, he faced three tumultuous years of homelessness, grappling with substance use, and mental health challenges. However, amidst the darkness, he found resilience. Transforming his struggles into strengths, and emerging as a beacon of hope. Today, he stands tall as a frontline worker, dedicating himself to serving others. Drawing from his experiences, he became a Southern Nevada Lived Experience Consultant, advocating for those facing similar battles that are still on the streets. His journey led him to the heart of the Las Vegas recovery scene where he discovered the true meaning of empathy and compassion. He derives purpose from extending a helping hand to individuals in need, living the path less traveled to make an impact. Each day he reaffirms his commitment to making a positive impact, turning adversity into opportunity, one day at a time.

Coming Soon

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Bridge of Hope Foundation
Board Member, Southern Nevada Continuum of Care

Amy Jones is a seasoned nonprofit executive with over 20 years of experience driving impactful change across housing, foster care, and homelessness services. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, she relocated to Las Vegas in 2013 and has since become a driving force in Nevada’s human services sector.

As the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bridge of Hope Foundation, Amy leads with a vision rooted in equity, innovation, and lived experience. She has successfully developed and scaled programs that have provided housing and supportive services to hundreds of individuals and families across Southern Nevada. Her leadership has generated more than $15 million in funding to expand community-based solutions that address homelessness, child welfare, and systemic barriers to stability.

Amy has spent 12 years in executive and senior leadership roles, consistently achieving agency growth by expanding services, increasing staffing capacity, and boosting revenue streams. She is widely recognized for her ability to turn vision into action through strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, and resource optimization.

In addition to her role at Bridge of Hope Foundation, Amy serves on the board of the Southern Nevada Continuum of Care (CoC), where she advocates for accountability and equity in the region’s homeless response system. She is also an active member of Southern Nevada Lived-X, using her own experiences to champion the voices of those with lived experience of homelessness.

Known for her drive, creativity, and fearless approach to change, Amy believes, “If you have the ability to create change and take action, you have the responsibility to drive change and take action.”

When she’s not leading transformational work, Amy enjoys spending time with family, traveling, and tackling home improvement projects.

Coming Soon!!

Dargin T. McWhorter Jr.

I was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on March 16, 1957, to Marie and Dargin McWhorter. After completing my secondary education which included participation in athletics I relocated to Pasadena, California. I later enrolled at Golden West College to pursue a degree in recording engineering.

My professional career began at 54 East Sound, where I contributed to notable projects such as the Lakeside – Raid album and the Martin Luther King, Sing Celebrate project, among many others featuring talented artists.

Around the age of 25, I experienced a significant setback in my personal life. I became addicted to alcohol and drugs, which resulted in a period of homelessness that lasted approximately 18 years. In my efforts to overcome addiction, I moved between Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; back to Pasadena, California; and Chattanooga, Tennessee—without success. I cycled through treatment facilities and continued experiencing homelessness.

Eventually, I relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where I enrolled in a detoxification facility on August 4, 2000, followed by a sober living program. After achieving four years of sobriety, stable employment, and housing, I founded Carter House Sober Living—named in honor of the individual who graciously offered me housing despite my financial circumstances. I went on to pursue a career in addiction recovery, helping others transition from detoxification to long-term life planning. Today, I am a proud father, grandfather, great-grandfather, husband, and sponsor. Following my retirement, I continue to use my lived experience with homelessness to contribute to LivedX.

Alejandra “Ally” Holmes: A Journey of Resilience and Compassion

Ally understands the weight of housing instability firsthand. As a first-generation American, she grew up translating for her mother and navigating complex systems that often felt unwelcoming. Moving frequently, she experienced the uncertainty of unstable housing—but found strength in her family’s love and resilience.

These experiences ignited Ally’s passion for helping others facing similar struggles. She knows the fear of not having a stable home, the exhaustion of fighting for security, and the courage it takes to ask for help. Her empathy is more than just a feeling—it’s a call to action.

Through advocacy and community work, Ally ensures that others are seen, heard, and supported. She believes that no one’s worth is defined by their hardships, and that everyone deserves stability, dignity, and a place to call home.

Her life’s mission is to uplift others by offering guidance and compassion to those navigating their own journeys. Ally’s story is one of perseverance, kindness, and unwavering hope. She reminds us all that even in the face of struggle, there is strength—and that one person’s compassion can change countless lives.

Keasia Braggs, a proud Las Vegas native and mother of a three-year-old, is currently pursuing a degree in clinical counseling. Her passion for supporting individuals with medical fragility stems from her own medical condition, fueling her dedication to mental and behavioral health. Keasia has been deeply influenced by her grandmother, whose lasting impact motivates her to break cycles of generational trauma.

She is committed to working with today’s youth, understanding the unique challenges they face, and advocating for the protection of families and individuals experiencing domestic violence. Through her work in supportive services, Keasia is determined to make a lasting difference in her community.

Edwin Santiago-Colon
Age: 45 | Born: Ponce, Puerto Rico | Raised: Bronx, New York

I’m Edwin Santiago-Colon, a 45-year-old veteran and passionate advocate for fellow veterans and individuals experiencing homelessness. Originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico, and raised in the Bronx, New York, I’ve always been driven by a strong sense of service and community.

I proudly served in the United States Air Force for 7 years and 4 months as a Combat Engineer, specializing in electrical systems. I had the honor of serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, earning the status of a combat veteran.

Following my military service, I pursued further education and earned my HVAC certification, adding another valuable skill set to my toolkit.

Currently, I work as a Peer Support Specialist with The Salvation Army, specifically within the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program. I assist homeless veterans by helping them find stable housing, providing homelessness prevention services, and offering case management support. My role allows me to give back to the community that supported me during my military career, and I take great pride in being able to help others in need.

Outside of work, I’m a strong advocate for homeless outreach and enjoy cutting hair on occasion. I’m the proud owner of my dog, Puti, my emotional support animal. I’m also a big sports fan especially when it comes to boxing, which has been a lifelong passion.

I’m a recovering addict with over three years of clean time. I regularly attend 12-step meetings such as A.A. and C.A., and I stay connected with the fellowship. My journey in recovery has been a pivotal part of my life, and I’m deeply grateful for the strength, support, and growth it has brought me.

Fluent in both English and Spanish, I remain committed to making a positive impact wherever I can, continuing to serve my community with the same dedication and heart I learned during my time in the military.

Trinity Johnson is a Human Services professional with a passion for advocating for marginalized communities. As a Nevada transplant with lived experience of being unhoused and overlooked, Trinity brings deep understanding and empathy to her work. Through Lived X, she channels that experience into meaningful action—specializing in case management and community outreach.

Her focus is on empowering individuals to overcome barriers and realize their full potential, grounded in a strong belief in the power of human connection.

Ronnie Doak is a Peer Recovery Support Specialist based in the Las Vegas area. A Nevada transplant, he fled California shortly after the loss of his mother. Once an advocate for those experiencing homelessness and addiction, Ronnie once a beacon of hope for others found himself clinging to homelessness, depression, and guilt for over six years. With the help of others, Ronnie recovered from a life of homelessness and became an advocate once again this time for those striving to build a better life. He believes in a compassionate course of action and holds firm to the belief that nobody is beyond help and that everyone is worthy of the life of their dreams.

Brian is a passionate advocate for individuals experiencing homelessness, bringing both firsthand knowledge and professional expertise to his role as a Lived Experience Consultant with the Southern Nevada Lived-X Team. Having navigated the challenges of homelessness himself, Brian is committed to bridging resource gaps and creating innovative outreach strategies that prioritize dignity and accessibility.

With a decade of experience in answering services and a background in event coordination, Brian excels in communication, problem-solving, and community engagement. His work focuses on developing a Homeless Resource Response System to streamline connections between service providers and those in need—minimizing stress and maximizing impact. Beyond advocacy, Brian is also a house music DJ known as BOOTZ, bringing creativity and resilience to every aspect of his work. He is dedicated to using his lived experience to drive meaningful change, ensuring that those facing housing insecurity have both a voice and a clear path to stability.

Taisacan Hall is a dedicated housing justice advocate with over seven years of experience driving change at the intersection of youth advocacy, policy, and program development. She brings a unique blend of lived expertise and professional leadership to her work.

Approaching her efforts through an intersectional lens, she has contributed to a wide range of local, state, and national initiatives that center the ability of youth experiencing homelessness to thrive.

She has played a key role in developing and testifying on legislation to expand access to vital services, facilitated national trainings to strengthen provider capacity, and supported strategic planning efforts to advance equitable systems change. Her work is rooted in a deep commitment to healing, justice, and creating pathways for people with lived experience to lead and thrive.

While dedicating her time to uplifting others, she also nurtures her creativity through singing, poetry, and songwriting. Blending advocacy with artistry, she brings both heart and vision to every space she enters.