New nonprofit to provide legal counseling, other services

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A nonprofit foundation providing a variety of services to the community is set to open Saturday with a ceremony that includes food, music, dancers and raffle.

Elle Valdovino and Leticia Servin founded Saint Claire's, a nonprofit organization providing legal, youth, health and counseling services as well as aid to women, Hispanics, migrants and familes.

They also intend to work in gang prevention.

"We know we can't change the world, but we can contribute," Servin said.

Valdovinos moved to Carson City in 2007 and worked as a paralegal. Shortly after, she decided to stay home to care for her son, but continued providing services from home.

As her clientele grew, she opened a legal clinic eight months ago. In that time, she said, her worked has increased 20 percent each month to where she's now working 12-hour days.

The majority of her work, she said, relates to child-custody cases.

Servin is an English-as-a-second-language aide at Mark Twain Elementary School and started the Comite de Padres Latinos four years ago to serve Latino students and parents throughought the Carson City School District.

The committee was recognized in 2007 by Sen. Harry Reid.

"Of all times, this is the time for this agency to provide these services," Servin said. "The need in this community is tremendous."

The foundation has three employees and they are working to add volunteers, Valdovino said.

The goal is to open a center to provide affordable day care and studios for youth activities.

"We want to get the kids off the streets and doing something positive," Valdovino said.

The foundation is named for St. Clare, who devoted her life to service and founded a nunnery to care for the poor.

Valdovino said the foundation will not compete with other sevices in the community, but is intended to complement them.

The ribbon cutting ceremony is 3-4 p.m. Saturday at 625 Fairview Dr., suite 207.

For information, call 445-0205 or 887-2252.

- Contact reporter Teri Vance at tvance@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1272.

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