When Al and Dessie Bailey found out that their beautiful baby Claudia had Down syndrome, their first thoughts were why? What can we do for our daughter and other children like her? It was with determination and hope that the Baileys and many other families came together to find a solution.
It was not until the 1950s with the organization of the National Association for Retarded Children that there slowly began to be a voice for people with intellectual challenges. Soon thereafter with the help of the Variety Club and the parents of Clark County School for the Handicapped, Opportunity Village was created. It became a place for children and young adults with developmental delays to learn life skills and have an opportunity to work. Through the years Opportunity Village faced struggles, but has grown to become one of the most effective non-profits in Southern Nevada.
Helping Hands, Helping Hearts chronicles the heartache and the hopes of those who cared to make a difference. From the ideas of parents who wanted to “do something” to the pre-eminence of the Opportunity Village of today, this story is not about what these special people can’t do – but what they can.