our Founder

Linda Lera-Randle El stood as a beacon of light for the homeless in Southern Nevada, advocating for job training, community outreach, Social Security benefits and decent housing for the downtrodden.

Lera-Randle El has been credited with bringing volunteer street outreach to the forefront of homeless services. Since then, other charitable groups and agencies, inspired by Lera-Randle El's efforts, have followed her example by reaching out to the homeless instead of waiting for poor people to come to them.

Lera-Randle El often called her method of operation “the street wise, no nonsense” approach to addressing homelessness and poverty. Linda passed away in October 2014 at the age of 64. Her husband, Thomas, continues her legacy and serves as the Executive Director for Straight From the Streets.