Boys Town Nevada honored Raiders owner Mark Davis for his support of youth mental health in Southern Nevada in a gala Friday night at the M Resort, a few miles away from the team’s Henderson practice facility.
But Davis refused to take all the credit for the award he received at the Impact Gala: Team Up for Mental Health event.
“What it is, it’s a recognition of the teamwork that we have … nobody does anything by themselves,” Davis said.
Boys Town Nevada provides youth mental and behavioral health services, family support and in-home intervention programs, school-based behavioral supports, autism assessments and care and crisis prevention resources.
In the past five years, its health clinic has provided 16,657 mental health sessions, carried out 239 autism assessments and delivered evidence-based therapy to 1,655 children, according to Boys Town.
Part of the celebration on Friday was Boys Town Nevada celebrating its 35th anniversary providing mental health and behavioral assistance to area youth and their families.
Boys Town Nevada Executive Director John Etzell said the Raiders have made a big difference in the community since they arrived in Southern Nevada six years ago.
“I think what Mark and the Raiders have done has been absolutely transformational from a philanthropic perspective,” Etzell said.
The Raiders Foundation has three pillars: supporting military and veterans; youth development; and promoting health and wellness, with an emphasis on mental health.
“Mental health is one of the big issues that the Raiders take really seriously,” Davis said. “That’s one of the pillars of our foundation. And there’s many organizations in Las Vegas that we are a part of.”
Aside from his efforts with Boys Town, Davis, the Raiders and minority owners Michael Meldman and Egon Durban donated $25 million toward Southern Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital, which Intermountain Health is developing.
Davis believes focusing on the youth is important, as they will be the next generation of leaders.
“Youth is our future,” Davis said.
Contact Mick Akers at makers@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2920. Follow @mickakers on X.
