By now, no Vegas local is a stranger to the homelessness problem in our city—someone standing at a busy Las Vegas intersection holding a cardboard sign.
Maybe they’re asking for money, maybe food. And like most of us, you’ve felt torn.
You want to help, but you don’t want to make things worse.
Well, a local nonprofit called Vegas Stronger has come up with a smart solution that lines up with good old-fashioned common sense—and doesn’t rely on more government handouts to do it.
It’s called the Golden Ticket Campaign. And no, it’s not a free pass to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.
It’s something much more grounded and real: a small, simple card that connects homeless individuals with the services they actually need—like food, shelter, and help for addiction or mental illness.
A Hand Up, Not a Handout
David Marlon, the CEO of Vegas Stronger, says the whole point of the Golden Ticket is to offer real help without enabling destructive behavior.
“The Golden Ticket is a tool to try and train our community to turn that well-meaning desire to help into something that isn’t enabling but something that is helpful,” Marlon explained.
In other words, if you see someone asking for money, you don’t have to just walk by—or worse, hand over cash that might end up feeding a drug habit.
Instead, you can hand them a Golden Ticket.
That ticket directs them to Vegas Stronger, where they can get access to recovery services, counseling, food, and a clean bed.
That’s real compassion with accountability. And that’s the kind of solution we need more of.
No Place for People to Live
It’s no secret that homelessness is on the rise. According to a January 2024 report, nearly 8,000 people are currently experiencing homelessness in Nevada, up 20% from last year.
That’s not just sad—it’s alarming.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley didn’t mince words:
“Human beings don’t belong on the streets,” she said. “It’s dangerous, it’s unhealthy, and it’s just no place for human beings to be.”
She’s right. But the answer isn’t more government spending or failed housing policies that don’t address the root problems.
The answer is local, targeted help from groups like Vegas Stronger that actually deal with the hard stuff—like drug addiction and untreated mental illness.
What Makes This Different?
Programs like this work because they’re based on personal responsibility and real recovery, not government dependency.
The Golden Ticket program is voluntary, privately funded, and led by people in the community—not bureaucrats in Carson City or D.C.
It’s also a clear reminder that throwing money at a problem doesn’t fix it.
For years, cities across the country have spent billions trying to solve homelessness with massive subsidized housing projects and vague social services.
But here’s the truth: if you don’t treat the addiction or mental illness, no amount of free housing will fix the problem.
This is why Vegas Stronger’s model is worth paying attention to—it’s local, it’s personal, and it’s focused on restoring dignity instead of just managing decline.
Critics Say…
Some argue that giving someone a flyer or ticket isn’t enough—that what we really need is “guaranteed housing for all.”
But here’s the problem: we’ve tried that.
California has spent billions on homelessness, and what do they have to show for it? Tent cities and even more people on the streets.
The Golden Ticket approach says, “Let’s deal with what’s really keeping people stuck.”
And that’s something both taxpayers and struggling individuals can get behind.
A Better Way Forward
If you believe in limited government, personal freedom, and real solutions, this is exactly the kind of effort we should support.
It proves that private groups—powered by neighbors helping neighbors—can make a real difference.
And the best part? It doesn’t cost you a dime in new taxes or give the government more control over your life.
So the next time you see someone asking for help on the corner, reach for a Golden Ticket instead of your wallet.
It might just be the start of a better life—for them and for our community.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views.
