Kathleen Miller, the founding director of Living Grace Homes, has been named Nevada’s 2026 Mother of Achievement after years of building support for young mothers facing homelessness in Las Vegas. The recognition highlights a nonprofit that began with a simple but urgent need: safe housing for pregnant teens and young moms who had nowhere else to go.
Miller said she felt “very humbled and surprised” when she received the call about the honor, but she linked the award directly to the organization she created. “If it weren’t for Living Grace, there would not be a Mother of Achievement for me,” she said, noting that the mission has shaped much of her life for nearly 25 years.
Why Living Grace Homes Was Created
Miller said the idea started when she saw pregnant teens sleeping on the street and realized Clark County had no housing designed for young women in that situation. That gap pushed her to build a place where mothers and babies could stay safe while they worked to rebuild their lives.
Living Grace Homes has now helped nearly 900 mothers and babies find a stable place to begin again. The nonprofit also supports young women with medical care, legal issues, school enrollment, and job readiness so they can better support their families.
Support That Extends Beyond Housing
Miller said many of the women who arrive at Living Grace Homes have not finished high school. The program helps them re-enroll in school and get back on track while also making sure they receive the medical care they need.
“We can help get them re-enrolled in school and back on their feet and back on track,” Miller said. She added that the goal is to support “healthy moms and healthy babies,” which she said helps build a healthier community.
The nonprofit continues its support after mothers leave the program, serving as a long-term safety net rather than only a temporary place to stay. That ongoing connection has become part of the organization’s approach as it works with young families facing difficult circumstances.
New Beds Planned as Summer Heat Approaches
Crews are finishing a new campus that will add 14 emergency beds for mothers and babies in need. Living Grace Homes hopes to open those beds by July, a timing that is especially important as dangerous summer heat arrives in Las Vegas.
To help complete construction, donations from new donors are being matched dollar for dollar through a Helms Family Grant up to $20,000 during May. The matching support gives the nonprofit an added boost as it prepares to expand its services and make room for more families seeking shelter and support.