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A STRUGGLE FOR OPPORTUNITY From small ideas, grow dreams, hopes and perseverance. The history of the Clark County Association for Retarded Children has been written in will- power and inner strength. Odds for a successful organization, is at best, precarious; for the C.C.A.R.C. it was impossible. But the impossible became surmountable by dedication and hard work. The Association was formed in 1954 at the Elbert Bailey home. Here a slate of officers was selected and the first small steps of a new organization were taken. The primary goal was to locate a suitable building for a school. In the late stammer Mr. Peter Updike rented a new building on North 9th Street. The building became the first private school for retarded children. The doors opened in December 1954. This much needed facility employed two capable, dedicated teachers. Another step had been taken;' however-the ?ǣbug-a-boo Mcalled" lack of money" closed its doors in January 1956. ^ The reversal of plans caused the Association to regroup and reorganize their forces. Again officers were elected and again a school was opened; this time in Henderson. This step fowardx was impressive for the group of struggling parents. A building was rented in Carver Park; teachers were hired; equipment was loaned the school; donations from Service organizations helped to bolster the morale as well as providing funds for the operation of the school. And again the doors opened. That was a Valentine gift to all the children. The enrollment began at 15 and expanded to 30 children. The /financial end was upheld by parents who paid $80.00 a month. This fee was eventually cut back to $75.00 Clark County paid for the families that were unable to pay. Buses were provided/ the children arrived/ and school began anew. It was with mixed feelings that the organization heard that they were illegal and were acting defiantly in the eyes of educational state laws. A long hot summer ensued from this pronouncement and from a small notice in a morning newspaper in 1956. The notice stated $60,000 Federal money was allocated to the state of Nevada, half for Washoe County and half for Clark County^ to be used for school age retarded. Washoe County had been receiving money from State aid for two years and Clark had none of this aid. Success came gradually. The $30;000 was recognized by the County schools but it was being used for the emotionally disturbed. Through meetings with the school board this was smoothed out In November 1956 Clark County school age retards came under the public school. At this time Special Childrens Clinic came about with the $30,000 federal money. The last step was a giant step forward. This step was further strengthened by the Variety Club which presented a school bus to the organization. 1957 saw advancements taken. The C.C.A.R.C. joined the National Association; and the group tried to raise funds during the Retarded Children's Week. In ^this-year floor plans were drawn for the Variety school. In the fall of 1957 the retarded children entered Variety School. Troubles, as usual, haunted the organization. Variety Club straightened our spines with stauch support. This action brought Mr. Marr to Las Vegas in 1958 and Special Education has grown stronger under his guidance and that of other professionals in Special Education. After all the struggle, attendance at the meetings began to fall. Parents undoubtly thought their worries were over as their children werein public school. The first Opportunity Center was opened during the summer of 1958 at Saint Christophers Church by the late Mrs. John Bruns. The years of 1958 and 1959 seem to be marked by extremes. The state legislature passed a bill raising the State A.D.A. from $200.00 to $500.00 while at the other end attendance became even poorer at the association meetings. Las Vegas became more aware of the C.C.A.R.C. when the State Association was organized. Along with this step foward on the statewide basis a bill forthe Division of Special Education in the state was passed by the legislature. 1961 saw advancements as well as reversals. A Girl Scout Troop was | sponsored by the Association and Mr. Rogers was hired as State Executive Director. This was the year that Clark County lost many members due to the organization of the Lake Mead Local. Another first was scored this year as the first newsletter hit the mailboxes. And too-the C.C .A.R.C. sent a representative to the National Convention, More steps were taken in 1962. This was a banner year, as a major facte took a grip in the local group. Warned that the Association might lose its organization, after the state convention had been held here, the driving force of a dedicated "woman" spearheaded the drive for a Thrift Shop in North Las Vegas. Donations of work hours and materials of all descriptions realized the opening of the shop.