April is Autism Awareness Month, but for Sport-Social, April will always be a reminder of last year’s arsonist attack on its autism facility. On April 15, 2013, an arsonist broke into Sport-Social, a center that teaches children with autism social skills through sports and arts, and set the building on fire. Seven fires were started throughout the facility leading to extensive fire and water damage.
Sport Social is also home to two other Autism treatment providers: Families For Effective Autism Treatment (FEAT of Southern Nevada) and Autism Building Blocks, and both organizations along with Sport Social were closed while recovery was initiated.
The fire caused $90,000 in damages to Sport-Social and its facility. However, Sport-Social received an overwhelming amount of support from the local community in donations and from the volunteers who helped with the recovery.
Sport-Social went on to win Project-Vesto, a Nevada start-up competition, in June, and was able to use some of the prize money to make improvements on the 10,000 square foot facility.
Since the fire last April, Sport-Social has improved its programming by building a computer lab, a music studio, and many other additions to the facility, which also houses a parkour, arcade, basketball courts, rope swings, and more.
Sport-Social has expanded its staff to include an in house Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a
Sport-Social has expanded its staff to include an in house Board Certified Behavior Analyst and a
Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst.
The last year has had its ups and downs, but Sport-Social is looking forward to additional improvements in their programming and their facility that will help them better serve Southern Nevada’s autism community.
Sport Social Lobby 2013
Sport Social Lobby 2014
Sport Social Warehouse 2013
Sport Social Warehouse 2014
