2 nonprofits suffer blow as vandals strike vehicles

By Jackie Valley

Published Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011 | 10:25 a.m.

Updated Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011 | 2:37 p.m.

The people with intellectual disabilities who Opportunity Village serves often greet employees with smiles and hugs at the front door.

Officials from the nonprofit organization hope whoever is responsible for vandalizing their vehicles hears that message loud and clear.

"Opportunity Village is a testament to the resilience of the people we serve and their families," said Linda Smith, associate executive director of the organization. "I think that's a lesson for anyone to learn, especially when I think of the people who create and wreak such a havoc."

Employees at Opportunity Village's campus, 6300 W. Oakey Blvd., and neighboring nonprofit Easter Seals Southern Nevada arrived Wednesday morning to find their fleet of vehicles vandalized.

Six vehicles in a well-lit parking lot between the Opportunity Village building and the College of Southern Nevada sustained vandalism such as broken windows and interior damage. Two more vehicles sustained damage to door handles, indicating attempts were made to get inside, Smith said.

The situation at Easter Seals Southern Nevada was much the same: two vehicles vandalized with broken windows and interior damage.

Nothing was stolen from the vans belonging to Easter Seals Southern Nevada, but at least one tool box was taken from an Opportunity Village vehicle, officials said.

"Those vans — they are so important to us," said Teresa Boyd, chief financial officer at Easter Seals Southern Nevada, which provides services to people with disabilities or special needs.

The vehicles for both organizations transport their clients to jobs, outings and doctor appointments, among other places, officials said.

"I'm angry because there's so many other things people could spend their energy on," Boyd said, pointing out that nonprofits already are struggling in the down economy.

Both organizations filed reports with Metro Police, and College of Southern Nevada police were reviewing surveillance video of the parking lot.

For Opportunity Village, the vandalism marks one more turn of misfortune to strike the nonprofit in the last six months.

In July, a fire ravaged Opportunity Village's thrift store on South Main Street in the Arts District. Last month, a bout of wet weather flooded parts of the organization's largest holiday fundraiser, the Magical Forest, forcing it to close for several days at a loss of $175,000, Smith said.

And just last week, College of Southern Nevada police apprehended two suspects pushing a wheelbarrow full of lights stolen from the Magical Forest, Smith said. Thieves also stole copper wiring from the Magical Forest before its opening this holiday season, she said.

Despite those incidents, Smith said Opportunity Village employees were excited for a new beginning in 2011 — and, even now, they are not going to let what she calls "isolated events" dampen their spirits.

Opportunity Village serves 1,700 people with intellectual disabilities through job training, social activities and other programs. Last year, the nonprofit placed about 230 people in custodial, food and housekeeping jobs across the community, providing about $12 million worth of wages, Smith said.

"Continue to support Opportunity Village," she said. "Continue to believe in Opportunity Village and believe in the good of the people in the community. Opportunity Village every single day is a place of hope."

For now, officials from both nonprofits believe the vandalism is simply a random act of meanness.

"To me, it's just someone bent on destruction," Smith said.

To make donations to either organization, visit their websites: Easter Seals Southern Nevada or Opportunity Village.