FINDING HOPE.
LEARNING INDEPENDENCE.
PURSUING GREATNESS.
The Blind Center of Nevada assists 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.
Finding Hope: Life doesn’t stop at blindness, but for many, the hopelessness runs deep. We uplift people by providing emotional rescue, a caring shelter, a welcoming community, and counseling to help members see beyond their visual impairment. Through the Blind Center of Nevada, people find a loving, social refuge—a place that understands and truly cares.
Learning Independence: Within our encouraging family environment, we help members see beyond their visual limits and learn to live an independent life. Our skills training, educational resources, and ongoing assistance all work together to ignite a can-do-spirit that defies boundaries and fuels personal growth.
Pursuing Greatness: Best of all, our center helps members visualize their true potential and work toward achieving great things. Through a wide range of programs—including music, art, fitness, education, and vocational mentorship—we help people reach goals they can be proud of. Greatness isn’t limited to those with sight. We help members achieve great things while living lives that are unbound—and unlimited.

MUSIC
PROGRAMS


EXPRESSIVE
OUTLETS
History
Blind Center
of Nevada History
F. Marion Keele, founder of the Blind Center of Nevada, was motivated to create a sanctuary in Las Vegas dedicated to assisting the blind when he lost his sight at the age of 38. Marion and his wife, Effie, spent time at the Utah Blind Center in Salt Lake City, where they learned to teach various crafts and skills to their blind companions. When Marion passed away in 1955, one of his students, Audrey Bascom Tait, took on Marion’s mission, and convinced the Lion’s Club to help her create a place to help the blind see beyond their limitations. Thus, the Sightless Center was born.
In the early the 2000’s the Las Vegas valley’s blind and visually impaired population was growing, and the “Sightless Center” went through a tremendous metamorphosis. The renamed “Blind Center of Nevada” brought on a community-based Board of Directors, opened an award-winning day center, began offering daily transportation, hot meals, and much more—all with the mission of helping blind individuals see beyond their limitations and discover their personal greatness.

Marion Keele
Founder

Effie Keele
Co-Founder
The only thing worse thanbeing blind is having sight but no vision."
Leadership Team
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Adrienne Belleza
Senior Events Manager
adrienne@blindcenter.org
702.912.0531 -
Alejandro Ortiz
Operations Manager
alejandro@blindcenter.org
702.378.3815 -
Cory Nelson
President
cory@blindcenter.org
702.755.3385 -
Gus Garcia
Communications Manager
gus@blindcenter.org
702.306.5112 -
Lesley Turner
Program Manager
Lesley@blindcenter.org
702.827.0261 -
Ryan Doty
Controller
ryan@blindcenter.org
702.827.0263 -
Theresa Davis
Volunteer Supervisor and Driver
theresa@blindcenter.org
702.642.6000 ext. 4 -
Todd Imholte
Chief Marketing & Development Officer
todd@blindcenter.org
702.755.0444
Board of Directors
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Harold Brown
Board Member
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Jeff Davis
Board Chairman
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Jim Kegley
Board Member
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Larry Piparo
Board Member
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Lloyd Benson
Board Member
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Neal Marek
Secretary/Treasurer