CEO Message
70 years ago, Opportunity Village was born when a group of parents led by Dessie Bailey met in her living room to create an association to help their children and their peers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Opportunity Village was officially chartered in July 1954, with the original purpose of building a residential school for children. Since then, Opportunity Village has grown into a thriving social enterprise with award-winning day habilitation and workforce development programs, fine arts classes, residential housing, and signature community events. Opportunity Village is also one of the largest employers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the state of Nevada. In this, our 70th year, we’re still expanding our program services to offer more than ever to the people we serve.
In honor of our 70th anniversary, we’d like to thank that founding group, who against the odds, persevered so that their children and the adults we serve today can have a place where they not only are welcome, but empowered, employed, and served daily by people who care for them, their families, and the greater community. Without these forward-thinking pioneers, Opportunity Village wouldn’t be here today:
- Walter Grundy, OV’s first president
- Ina Gragson, first vice-president
- Ralph Steiner, second vice-president
- Jesma Wilcox, treasurer
- Dessie Bailey, corresponding secretary
- Elbert Bailey, membership chairman
- Helen Dial, public relations
- Carlyle Wilcox, Mrs. William Acklin, and Alta Staton, directors
In our 70th year and beyond, we’re stepping up to the challenge of a growing number of people with disabilities in our community. We’re breaking ground on our Northwest Community Center and Betty’s Village North project, we’re opening a new Neighborhood Club, and we’re offering new residential services and enhanced programs to better serve the people in our care. Our thrift store is expanding with the addition of OV Thrift Plus, a curated collection inside the Opportunity Village Thrift Store, and our fundraising events promise to be bigger and better than ever with the addition of a new fashion show and a Camelot that will be one for the history books. We’re reaching more people with disabilities in our community than ever before with the help of community partners through the Job Development Program and Pathway to Work, and our business lines continue to evolve to meet the needs of today’s customers while providing intentional and rewarding employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
If you haven’t seen what we do in person, I invite you to come and see what we are doing at Opportunity Village. Call my office at 702.259.3707 or schedule your tour by clicking the button below. It might change your life.
