Putting people on a path to greatness

By Las Vegas Sun Staff (contact)

Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017 | 2 a.m.

What does your organization do? The Blind Center of Nevada is the state’s only day center that serves adults who are legally blind or visually impaired. We assist people who are blind or visually impaired in reaching their highest physical, social, intellectual and economic potential. To achieve these objectives, we pursue three focus areas: personal development, social interaction and provident living. The Blind Center of Nevada serves to enable the blind community to find hope, learn independence and attain personal greatness.

When and why was it established? Creating a place in Las Vegas that would offer help to people who are blind was F. Marion Keele’s dream since 1934, when he lost his sight at age 38. Upon his death in 1955, one of his students, Audrey Bascom Tait, continued his work. Audrey convinced the Downtown Lions Club, with assistance from other clubs, to build a two-room facility on Bruce Street. A second building, constructed in 1982, was renovated in 2007 to accommodate additional programs and services.

What services do you offer to blind citizens? Our programs include mobility training, Braille, arts and crafts, bowling, music, choir, computers, ESL classes and more. With help from other civic organizations, the Blind Center provides free, nutritious lunch as part of its daily activities. More than 80 percent of Blind Center clients live below the extreme poverty level, and lunch is their main meal for the day.

What sparked your interest in the nonprofit sector?Until 2010, I spent my career in marketing and business development. At that point, I decided it was time for a professional change. When I toured the Blind Center and met the members, I was inspired by their zeal for life and courage in the face of adversity.

Over the past seven years, we have grown and maintained the financial stability needed to serve the growing blind community in the area.

Any recent news about your organization? As of September, with the support of the Engelstad Family Foundation and other community partners, the $6 million construction cost for the new Visions of Greatness building has been fully funded. We will break ground on the 36,000-square-foot facility in the spring, and it is scheduled to open in November.

What can people do to get involved with the Blind Center? People can volunteer at the center to help our members in a number of ways, and those who have interest in helping fund our programs can schedule a tour.

How do you motivate people to get involved? Close your eyes. Imagine what it’s like to lose the gift of sight. Gratitude is motivation.

What can Southern Nevadans do to improve our community in general? Get involved. Go check out the places that make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate. It will change your life.

Discuss the plan to build a new center. Sixty years after its humble beginnings, the Blind Center was at a crossroads. The (associated) electronic recycling business had outgrown its 55-year-old building. One could argue that to update the old building would be throwing good money after bad and because of this, the Blind Center focused on expanding its refurbishing and recycling business, and creating new spaces to house its programs, including the first-ever culinary arts program for people who’ve lost their sight. The community answered the call, and we are set to break ground in the next couple of months.

Where do you see your organization in five years? We plan to offer more “paths to greatness” for people with vision loss. Thanks to the Visions of Greatness building, we will offer an expanded scope of services and additional employment opportunities for Southern Nevada’s blind and visually impaired community.

If you could change one thing about Southern Nevada, what would it be? There is a lot of money in our community and so many worthy nonprofits. Ideally, more of that money would be used to help Southern Nevada’s less fortunate.

Talk about Broken Spectacles, Nevada’s only all-blind band. Do they credit the Blind Center for helping them come together? Broken Spectacles is an alternative rock band that was formed a few years ago as part of our music program’s expansion. This talented group of musicians has performed at the Hard Rock and House of Blues, and will soon audition for “America’s Got Talent.” This outstanding band truly is the epitome of the Blind Center of Nevada’s “Visions of Greatness” theme.

Anything else you want to tell us? Live every day with gratitude. In an instant, life can change, as it has for most of members here at the Blind Center of Nevada.