Northern Nevada Moses Project

Jon and Elishia Gift

Founders

Elishia Gift is the biological mother of 3, step-mother to 1, foster mother to 5 and grandmother to 1 beautiful grandchild. Running a household of 12 is chaotic on its best day, to add to the chaos, she runs a non-profit organization that she and her husband started from the ground up. Today, Northern Nevada Moses Project is a thriving nonprofit that strives to support a community in need. This is how it started. August 2020 Elishia Gift and her husband Jon Gift became licensed foster parents in the state of Nevada. They would soon learn just how unprepared they were for foster children and learn just how much support children placed in care needed. Many children come with nothing but the clothing on their back. It became painfully obvious to the Gift family, that there was an overwhelming need for support in rural Northern Nevada for foster children, foster families, homeless youth, and families in crisis. By September 2020, Northern Nevada Moses Project was born. In March of 2021, Northern Nevada Moses Project was founded officially on State, City and Federal levels from the ground up. March 2021 a fellow foster parent started the Reno branch, under the new official 501(c)3 status. June 2022, Elishia and Jon opened the Foster Boutique in downtown Elko. June 2022, a fellow foster parent started the Fernley branch under the 501(c)3. October 2022, the Northern Nevada Moses Project added an emergency pantry in Elko, soon to be one in Spring Creek. January 2023, a former foster youth started the Winnemucca branch under the 501(c)3. In just over 2 years the Northern Nevada Moses Project has grown enough to cover most of rural Northern Nevada’s foster community with 4 different branches. In 2022, 357 children were given support in the form of clothing, shoes, beds, bedding, food, toiletries, gift cards, cleaning supplies, furniture, and miscellaneous requests. Northern Nevada Moses project is currently run by foster parents and former foster youth that donate their time and resources selflessly. This is all done to raise confidence levels of foster children, giving these children back a sense of power and ease some of the uncertainty that comes with being placed into foster care or having the stigma of further impoverished conditions. It is a labor of love, with all of our support coming solely from community support. It is truly humbling to see so many people and businesses come together to support our most vulnerable population!

Aubrey Lauborough

Board Member (Advertising)

Spring Creek resident for 11 years and loves living here! Working mom of 2 young girls and loves being involved in community activities and events. I've been a realtor for 12+ years. I believe strongly of bringing community together, especially children and their families who need help.

Rose Gift

Board Member

I am a 61 year old woman I was married for 39 years I am a widow. I have 2 grown sons. The oldest is married to the best daughter in law ever. They have 4 children and they foster kids as well. I am semi retired I work 3 days a week. I live in Carlin NV and I am involved in lots of community events."

Faith Hill

Secretary

Kaitlynn Rodriguez

Board Member

I am a wife and the mom of 2 girls! We adopted our oldest in 2021. I am honored to be a part of this organization as it holds a near and dear place in my heart! I have been fortunate enough to work for DCFS for over 5 years, watching all sorts of people, big and small, need assistance with all sorts of things. I am forever thankful for NNMP for giving youth and families in our community services needed to succeed! I am so glad to be here, and help spread awareness as well as help people in our community.

Kelsey Merchant

Board Member

I moved to Nevada about 3 and half years ago from Wyoming. My husband Trevor and I have one 5-year-old daughter who keeps us on our toes! In my free time, I enjoy traveling, being outside with my chickens and crafting. As a strong advocate for life, I am so excited to support NNMP in their strategic mission to help children in foster care improve the quality of their situation by helping to meet their everyday needs and beyond.

Lauren Dees

Western Branch Manager

I am the branch manager in Reno! I have been a foster parent in Washoe County for 4 years and have been able to build a loving family! I have adopted 3 and currently have 2 foster children! I am extremely passionate about helping the children in most need of love and support to stay on their feet. I am beyond excited to see this nonprofit grow and to be able to help every child that comes into care.

Gimarie Pitts

Board Member

My name is Gimarie Pitts, I am originally from Puerto Rico and I moved to Spring Creek 12 years ago when I got married to Shad Pitts, with whom I have had 4 biological children and currently expecting our 5th and last, we have also fostered several children -currently have our 3 foster girls- and we in the process of adoption. While living in Spring Creek, I have been a stay at home mom, ran my own business and started the Elko County Foster Closet which collected items for children in care and has currently merged with the Northern Nevada Moses Project as one. It’s a passion of mine to help our community while providing dignity to the families in need.

Judy Ellis

Fernley Branch Manager

Hi, My name is Judy Ellis. I am a 49 year old wife, mom, foster mom, and nana. I have 3 children, 3 grandchildren, and have had the pleasure of being a foster mom to many children throughout the past few years. I have worked for the Lyon County School District Transportation Department for the past 15 years. Throughout my career so far I have been a school bus driver, special needs driver and driver trainer. I love my job and how rewarding it is to work with kids. I truly feel blessed to have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of little ones, whether it be the children in my home or the children I work with. In my free time I enjoy spending time and making memories with all of my children and grandchildren. I also enjoy spending time with friends, shopping, watching movies, cooking and baking.