Village Council at OV serves food to homeless
On Friday, July 12th, the Village Council at Opportunity Village decided to give back through community volunteer efforts.
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LAS VEGAS – On Friday, July 12th, the Village Council at Opportunity Village served food to the homeless at Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada after holding a week-long food drive to benefit the Hands of Hope Community Food Pantry.
A dozen members of the Village Council, along with Opportunity Village staff and President & CEO Bob Brown, showed up to volunteer at Catholic Charities, located at 1501 Las Vegas Blvd. N.
The week leading up to serving the homeless, the Village Council ran a food drive at all four Opportunity Village campuses to stock the pantry at Catholic Charities. The Village Council is a model of government where the members are people with disabilities working to ensure participation in the delivery of programs and services that affect them.
“I’m so proud this group of individuals took it upon themselves to make an impact in the community,” said Bob Brown, President & CEO at Opportunity Village. “It truly was a heartwarming moment for all of us at Opportunity Village when they asked if there was a way they could give back and do something for others.”
In a recent Village Council meeting, Opportunity Village President & CEO Bob Brown asked the members what he could do for them. Their response? They had all their needs met, but wanted to give back to others in need. They identified those experiencing food insecurity as their top priority and were able to perform their selfless act on Friday morning.
“Groups like this are so important to the community to help serve those experiencing homelessness and everyone that’s in need that comes here to get help and hope,” said Natasha Nelson, Volunteer and Outreach Manager at Catholic Charities. “We usually need about 30 volunteers a day to help run our dining hall due to our limitations of staff and groups like this – like Opportunity Village – really do make a difference in our community.”
About Opportunity Village
Mission: Opportunity Village is a not-for-profit organization that serves people within our community with significant intellectual disabilities, to improve their lives and the lives of their families.
Seven families who were determined to give their children with disabilities the best lives possible founded Opportunity Village in 1954. Now, more than six decades later, Opportunity Village is one of the most recognized and respected organizations of its type in the United States.
Nevada’s largest employer of people with disabilities, Opportunity Village serves nearly 2,000 individuals annually, providing vocational training, employment, habilitation and social recreation programs and services that make their lives more purposeful and interesting.
Opportunity Village clients – individuals who were previously considered unemployable – work at Opportunity Village’s Employment Resource Centers and in jobs throughout the community, collectively earning wages amounting to more than $3.6 million in 2018. They are hardworking and diligent, proudly paying taxes and happily leading more fulfilling lives.
About Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada
Since 1941, the mission of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada has been to serve those in need — the most vulnerable —regardless of race, religion or creed. This leading community resource offers help and hope with dignity as it strives to meet the diverse needs of men, women and children in Southern Nevada. Through the generosity of foundations, grants, organizations and individual donors, Catholic Charities operates 16 programs providing support to more than 4,200 people daily and encompassing four core areas: Family Services, Food Services, Immigration and Refugee Services and Homeless and Housing Services. Catholic Charities also operates the largest Meals on Wheels program and Emergency Shelter Services in Southern Nevada. For additional information, please visit CatholicCharities.com.
Media Contacts
Jenna Greene, R&R Partners
Jenna.greene@rrpartners.com
702.228.0222 / 702.318.4289
Marty Wood, Opportunity Village
woodm@opportunityvillage.org
702.880.4041
