Who We Are
Our mission: Providing access to Food, Instruction, Shelter, and Healthcare to community members in need, so that they may improve their self-sufficiency through life-changing experiences.
Our Story
Friends in Service Helping (FISH) was founded in May 1979 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in response to the increasing numbers of homeless and hungry individuals in Carson City. Prior to FISH, several local organizations provided independent services to those in need. Recognizing the growing demand, these groups, along with a dedicated VISTA volunteer, Lea Giffin, united under the name FISH to more effectively serve the community.
FISH began as a small food closet but quickly expanded its mission. In collaboration with Friends of Citizens Under Stress (FOCUS), FISH began offering shelter services in Carson City. Following the tragic death of a homeless man during a harsh winter, FOCUS established FOCUS House, the first homeless shelter in rural Nevada, within a renovated building at the Stewart Indian School complex. In the early 1980s, FISH and FOCUS merged to better serve the homeless and hungry.
Today, FISH continues to operate FOCUS House for men and Wylie House for women and families—Northern Nevada’s only year-round, publicly accessible emergency shelters outside of Reno. Over the years, FISH has grown to become the largest and most comprehensive social services program in rural Nevada, supported primarily by local donations with minimal federal funding.
As community needs have evolved, so has our mission. We continuously expand our services or partner with other organizations to address unmet needs. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated by our adherence to United Way Standards of Excellence and our recognition as Carson City’s Organization of the Year multiple times. In 2000, we received the prestigious HUD Best Practices Award.
FISH is governed by a dedicated board of community leaders who are deeply committed to addressing the challenges faced by those in need. A small staff and over 250 volunteers annually, work tirelessly every day to fulfill our mission and support our community.