1. family and parenting

“WE CAN DO
ANYTHING
WE WANT TO
IF WE STICK
TO IT LONG
ENOUGH.”
— Helen Keller
HELEN KELLER SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
ANNUAL REPORT 2013 CELEBRATING 120 YEARS
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CHAIRMAN:
Christopher D. Maher
VICE-CHAIRMAN:
Richard T. Arkwright
TREASURER:
John R. Caughey
SECRETARY:
Alvin Adelman, Esq.
Robert B. Alperin, M.D.
Comm. Joseph F. Bruno
Debra Del Vecchio
Richard Dzwlewicz
Stella Guarna, Esq.
Cornelius A. Heaney
Gary Hett
Larry Kinitsky
Frank LaRocca
Diana Nicholson, Esq.
Philip F. Stenger
Proctor N. Wong
DEAR FRIEND,
This year, Helen Keller Services for the Blind observes 120 years of partnering with individuals
who are blind or deaf-blind and assisting them to remain independent and participate actively
in their communities. I am honored to be a part of this rich history, which has evolved over the
decades to serve consumers in the greater New York metropolitan area, as well as throughout
the country via our Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults.
In this year’s annual report, we step
back in time for a retrospection of our
agency’s beginnings. As we reflect on
our accomplishments over a century
later, we recognize how much is yet
to be achieved. Both the blind and
deaf-blind communities are today
more successful and independent
than previous generations and
have increased opportunities for
employment and education. Together
with our partners and supporters,
Helen Keller Services for the Blind
continues its work to capitalize on
these opportunities by providing a
range of services tailored to the needs
of every person.
I am privileged to be a part of an
organization whose mission is to
enable individuals who are blind,
visually impaired, deaf-blind and/or
have combined hearing and vision loss to live, work, and thrive in their community of choice.
I want to especially thank our many supporters, whose generosity enables us to continue
providing programs and services at no cost to these individuals.
Sincerely,
Thomas J. Edwards
President & CEO
1883
The shot that brought
light to the blind
Picture, if you will, on November 2, 1883,
17-year-old Brooklyn youth Eben P. Morford
in a neighborhood store, making some casual
purchases. Behind the counter, a thoughtless
youth playing with a revolver. A half-joking
command, and as Mr. Morford turns, a click,
a flash — and eternal darkness for him. It was
three minutes of six by the store clock — the
last thing he ever saw.
But Mr. Morford believed that blindness was
physical, and vision was mental and spiritual.
After years of struggling to gain recognition
for a normal life for the blind, he gathers a
small group of men and women who are
blind, known as The Mizpah Circle, in
Brooklyn. Their goal is to provide both
secure employment and a living space for
individuals with vision loss.
From here,
The Industrial
Home for the
Blind was born.
1893
1895
1906
The Industrial Home
for the Blind officially
opens at 96 Lexington
Avenue in Brooklyn.
The Industrial Home
for the Blind is
officially incorporated
under the laws of the
State of New York.
Eben Morford is
instrumental in helping
to create The New York
State Commission
for the Blind.
1917
Peter J. Salmon is hired;
services begin
Pioneer. Innovator. Visionary. The relationship
between The Industrial Home for the Blind
and Dr. Peter J. Salmon began in 1917 when,
at the request of Mr. Morford, he was hired
as a Business Manager at the age of 22.
He eventually became a member and
Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
Dr. Salmon’s basic philosophy and
progressive ideas were further
influenced by his long-time friendship
and association with Helen Keller.
1928
1929
1936
Eben Morford passes
away; over 600
individuals who are
blind or deaf-blind
are served.
The Industrial Home
for the Blind begins
to provide vocational
counseling and job
placement services.
Louis C. Wills is elected to the Board
of Trustees. He serves as the agency’s
president from 1943 through 1950
and continues as an active honorary
president until his death in 1975.
1945
Dr. Peter J. Salmon creates formal
program for people who are deaf-blind
In 1945, Dr. Salmon resigns from the Board of
Trustees and is appointed Executive Director
of The Industrial Home for the Blind. Upon
becoming the Executive Director, Dr. Salmon
formalizes the deaf-blind program. Helen Keller
participated in the occasion, which also marked
her 65th birthday.
In 2013, AIG partnered with Helen Keller
Services for the Blind by conducting an
Employee Empowerment Workshop at the
agency’s headquarters in Brooklyn.
Managers and employees of AIG
performed mock interviews and provided
feedback to nine consumers preparing to
enter the workforce. Individuals from AIG
were paired with a member of the training
group and engaged in a 10-15 minute
mock job interview for a position of the
interviewee’s choice. The AIG
representatives and agency staff then
provided constructive feedback and
suggestions about improvements that could
be made to the consumer’s interviewing
skills in the future. In addition, AIG staff
discussed ethics in the workplace with
consumers and engaged in a brief question
and answer session about what it takes to
be a successful employee at AIG. This
proved to be a valuable opportunity for
individuals with vision loss preparing to
enter the workplace to improve their skills.
1946
1949
1951
The Industrial
Home for the Blind
opens recreational
day centers for
senior citizens.
The Burrwood Home in Cold
Spring Harbor, New York —
a residence facility for elderly
individuals who are blind or
deaf-blind — is purchased.
The Industrial Home for
the Blind advocates for
the registration of children
who are blind in mainstream
Long Island public schools.
1952
The Industrial Home for the Blind creates
a nursery for infants and children with
vision loss and a Low Vision Center
Today, the Children’s Learning Center offers a
range of educational and therapeutic services,
including an Early Intervention Program and a
preschool, to young children who are blind and
may have additional disabilities. In 2013, 16 students
graduated from the Children’s Learning Center.
Staffed by eye doctors who are New York
State Certified in Low Vision Care, Low
Vision Services teach consumers how to
maximize the use of their remaining
vision. Doctors provide eye examinations
to determine the level of sight loss and, if
needed, prescribe optical aids such as
lighted magnifiers, telescopes, spectacles,
and electronic vision aids. These vision
aids assist consumers in the activities of
daily living. Since 2010, Helen Keller
Services for the Blind has cultivated a
relationship with ophthalmology residents
at the Department of Ophthalmology at
Stony Brook University Medical Center.
These students perform a low vision
rotation as part of their medical training
under the tutelage of agency doctors. In
2014, Low Vision Services will have their
sixth intern from the Department of
Ophthalmology at Stony Brook University
partner with the organization as part of
this internship program.
1953
1953
mid-1950s
1958
The agency
opens a Low
Vision Center,
the first of its
kind, in Brooklyn.
The Industrial
Home for the
Blind opens the
Braille Library
in Hempstead.
The agency opens
at its current
headquarters
at 57 Willoughby
Street in Downtown
Brooklyn.
The Industrial Home
for the Blind creates its
first speech and hearing
service for individuals
who are blind.
1953
Camp Helen Keller, a day camp for
children and youth with vision loss,
begins in Long Island
Now located at Adelphi University in Garden City,
Camp Helen Keller includes recreational, physical,
and educational activities for children and youth
ages 5-15. The camp experience is designed to
increase the confidence, social skills, and
independence of participants.
Camp Helen Keller Turns 60
This year, campers rocked the house
during the annual camp show. The theme
was “Rock of Ages,” and campers sang
classics songs such as Queen’s “Bohemian
Rhapsody”, Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock and
Roll” and Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not
Gonna Take It”, among others.
During the summer, children enjoyed
many other activities such as indoor
swimming, adaptive computer instruction,
and arts and crafts. They also enjoyed
bouncy rides and outdoor games at the
Annual Sons of Italy Activity Day in
Eisenhower Park. Campers took trips to
Adventureland Amusement Park in
Farmingdale and Island Rock, an indoor
rock climbing facility in Plainview, located
in Long Island. Additionally, participants
visited Central Park.
Recognition at the camp show was given
to 15-year-old camper Alexandria Bartkus
who, in lieu of a birthday party, held a
fundraiser for the camp and raised over
$3,500. In addition to Alexandria’s
support, the agency is fortunate for its
collaborations with The New York State
Commission for the Blind, Reader’s Digest
Partners for Sight Foundation, Lily Palmer
Fry Memorial Trust, The Order Sons of
Italy America, and Adelphi University.
These partnerships enable the agency to
ensure Camp Helen Keller will be around
for many years to come.
1967
SISTER BERNIE WYNNE’S STORY
The organization
establishes
the Preschool
Vision Screening
Program.
There is a tradition at
the Helen Keller National
Center that Sister Bernie,
1969
Through an act
of Congress,
The Industrial
Home for the
Blind is formally
designated to
operate the
National Center
for Deaf-Blind
Youths and
Adults, and
training facilities
are set up in
New Hyde Park.
1969
who retired this year
after 38 years, began
for employees who were
expecting children. “Each
individual staff member
would creatively craft a 6
by 6 inch square, varying in fabric and tactile
designs. I would sew all of them together to
create a large quilt, and we would present it to
the new parent,” she related. “In one year, we
had 27 babies who were born, with a couple
sets of twins in there.” In all her years, Sister
Bernie has constructed 212 quilts in total.
The New
England regional
office opens in
Massachusetts.
1970
The Southwest
regional office
opens in
California, and
the Southeast
regional office
opens in Georgia.
1971
The Industrial
Home for the
Blind expands
its nursery for
infants and
children who are
blind through
a partnership
with the New
York City Board
of Education’s
Rubella Program.
1971
1974
1976
The North
Central regional
office opens
in Illinois.
The South
Central regional
office opens
in Texas.
The headquarters of
the Helen Keller National
Center for Deaf-Blind
Youths and Adults officially
opens in Sands Point.
Sister Bernie’s story started in
1975 when she began working
at the Helen Keller National
Center. As a certified teacher of
the visually impaired, “Bernie” as
she is fondly known, was a natural
fit as supervisor of the Basic
Education Department.
In 1981, the Helen Keller
National Center established a
National Training Team to train
professionals to work with youths
and adults who are deaf-blind.
Bernie was named coordinator
of the team, which also included
Liz Janson, the supervisor of the
Home Management Department,
was, Helen answered, “The day
my teacher came to me.” The goal
of the National Training Team was
to assure there would always be an
adequate number of professionals
trained to work with individuals
who are deaf-blind.
The National Training Team
collaborated with Western
Maryland College and
Northern Illinois University,
where a certificate program
was implemented to integrate
coursework on deaf-blindness
into college curriculums. This
program has continued for 30
years. Initially, people would
Sister Bernie’s story
started in 1975 when
she began working
at the Helen Keller
National Center.
and Maureen McGowan, the
supervisor of the Orientation
and Mobility Department. The
importance of having qualified
staff was summed up best by Helen
Keller herself; when asked what
the most important day in her life
attend at the DeKalb, Illinois
campus for a three-week training
on deaf-blindness. When the
program started, Bernie was a
one-day lecturer and other experts
from the Helen Keller National
Center would participate as
1977
1977
1978
1979
The Northwest
regional office
opens in
Washington.
The Rocky
Mountain regional
office opens
in Colorado.
The Great Plains
regional office
opens in Kansas.
The Industrial Home
for the Blind opens a
rehabilitation center
in Hempstead.
well. However, students never had the
opportunity to interact with individuals
who are deaf-blind, so Bernie eventually
suggested that the college incorporate a
week-long practicum at the Sands Point
headquarters in Long Island. In 2009,
this model was put into place with
resounding success.
Over the 32 years that Bernie was “on
the road,” she trained staff in all 50
states and Puerto Rico. However, her
training was not just limited to the
United States. She had a long-standing
relationship with agencies serving
deaf-blind individuals in five Nordic
countries where she would provide
week-long trainings to staff once a
year from 1980 - 2010. Bernie was also
invited to provide training in Poland
and lecture in Peru.
Bernie was also well known for her
stories, each one carefully chosen to
impart a lesson. One of her favorites is
“The Cracked Bucket” whose moral is
do not judge yourself too harshly and do
not confuse your strength for a weakness.
Bernie’s passion for her vocation and the
people she worked with was her driving
force, and was clearly felt by those
she taught. She reflected back on her
years and said, “Whatever I taught, I
learned first from the students I worked
with. They were the experts. Books
can only teach so much. It’s the human
interaction that taught me the most.”
When asked what has changed for the
deaf-blind community, Sister Bernie
related the indispensable role of assistive
technology. “The world is wide open
for people who are deaf-blind thanks to
technology,” she said. “It has changed so
radically, and so rapidly, in the years I
have been working, and it will continue
to do so. People have the ability to
communicate with people all over the
world. And (technology) is one thing I
can’t teach,” she laughed.
1984
1988
President Ronald Reagan signs a
proclamation officially declaring the last
week of June, in honor of Helen Keller’s
birthday of June 27, every year as Helen
Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week.
The nursery for infants and young children
becomes the Children’s Learning Center.
The first Assistive Technology Center
launches in Hempstead.
1983
Day Treatment
The Industrial Home for the Blind partners
with The Office for People with Developmental
Disabilities and creates a Day Treatment
Program for individuals who are
developmentally disabled and may have
vision loss. It begins with just five clients.
In 2010, Day Treatment is reorganized into
the Day Habilitation Program in order to offer
consumers more individualized and preferencebased services. Today, Day Habilitation serves
75 consumers and provides individualized
habilitation, therapeutic services, and
recreational activities in the community.
1985
The Industrial Home for the Blind
is renamed Helen Keller Services for
the Blind in memory of Helen Keller
1989
1990
1993
1999
Helen Keller Services for the
Blind opens a rehabilitation
center in Huntington.
The Helen Keller National
Center starts its Older
Adults Program.
The Second
Assistive
Technology
Center
opens in
Brooklyn.
Northern Illinois University
collaborates with the
Helen Keller National
Center to offer a
certificate in Deaf-Blind
Rehabilitation.
An additional
Low Vision Center
and Assistive
Technology
Center is formed
in Huntington.
2012
Helen Keller National Center partners
with others in national initiative
For the first time in history, thousands of
individuals who experience combined vision
and hearing loss are able to obtain free
accessible telecommunications devices and
training thanks to the National Deaf-Blind
Equipment Distribution Program. This pilot
program for low income individuals was
established by the Federal Communications
Commission as part of the 21st Century
Communications and Video Accessibility Act.
Up to 10 million dollars is allocated nationally
every year for assessment of deaf-blind
individuals, purchasing of equipment,
and training.
Staff members have spent countless
hours identifying qualified individuals,
determining their eligibility for this
program, conducting technology
assessments, and ordering equipment.
As a result of these efforts, deaf-blind
people are now using smart phones,
tablets, computers, braille displays,
and more. They are surfing the internet,
calling or texting family and friends,
emailing employers, and having face
to face video conversations.
The Helen Keller National Center and
Perkins School for the Blind were
chosen by the Federal Communications
Commission to conduct national outreach
efforts to educate consumers, family
members, and service providers about
this program. People can learn about
the free telecommunications equipment
distribution, training, and who to contact
in each state, at www.iCanConnect.org.
The program contract for the State of
New York was awarded to Helen Keller
National Center.
2002
2003
2004
Helen Keller Services for the
Blind creates an Individualized
Residential Alternative, a
group home for six of the
agency’s Day Habilitation
consumers, in Wantagh.
The Leona M. and Harry
B. Helmsley Conference
Center is completed
in Sands Point and
opens its doors for
professional training.
The Parent and Early Education
Resource Center opens in Brooklyn
to provide educational and support
services to parents and caregivers
of children who are blind and/or
multi-handicapped.
LEFT: The
Helen Keller
National
Center
training
building
However, funds from this contract
do not cover the cost of training
professionals how to teach deaf-blind
consumers to use the equipment.
Recognizing this gap, Helen Keller
National Center received a three-year
grant from The Lavelle Fund for the
Blind, Inc. to provide a series of
seminars designed to “Train the
Technology Trainers.” A large
percentage of the professional trainers
and participants are themselves
deaf-blind. For more information,
go to www.iCanConnect.org.
RIGHT: A
deaf-blind
gentleman
checks the
train schedule
using his
iPhone and
Refreshabraille
ABOVE: Megan Dausch, senior instructor,
teaches a class session on braille notetakers during
a Train the Trainers seminar funded by The Lavelle
Fund for the Blind, Inc.
THE DESTINY HOME:
The Destiny Home is a residence
for individuals who are deaf-blind
with intellectual disabilities. The
Destiny Home provides an array of
individualized services under the
three domains of living, working,
and community involvement.
The Helen Keller National Center
looks forward to new support
from The Community Chest of
Port Washington in service to the
individuals who reside in this home.
2006
2008
2010
The Helen Keller National
Center begins collaborating
with the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention on a
rubella biomarker study.
Destiny Home, a
residence for individuals
who are deaf-blind with
intellectual disabilities,
is established in Port
Washington.
A Support Service Provider
Program is established
in the regional office
in California, thanks
to funding from the
San Diego Foundation.
A SECOND SHOT AT LIFE
Just as the founder of The Industrial Home for
the Blind unexpectedly lost his vision without
warning, so did Syed Hassan on May 30, 2005.
While working at his regular job at a dry
cleaning store in Georgia, Mr. Hassan saw two
men who were standing outside suddenly
cover their faces with hats – and he noticed
they had guns. “I didn’t think of anything other
than to lock the door, but it was too late by
then,” he related. The men entered the store
and insisted that he open the cash register. It
proved to be difficult, as Mr. Hassan needed a
key to open it completely. Eventually, the men
grew frustrated, and Mr. Hassan recalled that
one of them told him, “You’re going to die,”
and put the gun to his left temple. But because
he flinched to the side, he survived the attack
but was left completely without vision as a
result. The two men were never caught for
their crimes.
Four days later, Mr. Hassan was seen by
a social worker. “It was such a difficult
adjustment,” he said. “There were many
things I had to relearn. I forgot how to
walk, and I realized early on that living
in a remote area in Georgia probably
wouldn’t afford me the best services.”
Mr. Hassan’s younger brother had
moved to New York City prior to the
robbery, and suggested that he relocate.
“He told me that everything would be
so much easier for me here, with the
transportation, the services, and the
opportunities,” he explained.
2011
2011
The Children’s Learning Center
celebrates the graduation of 19
preschoolers — the largest graduating
class in the school’s history.
The Helen Keller National Center
begins a collaboration with the National
Institutes of Health on a genetic study
of Usher Syndrome.
In May of 2006, Mr. Hassan made the
move to New York City. He received
services at many organizations that work
exclusively to help individuals who are
blind, including Helen Keller Services for
the Blind. “I was shy at first, and it was
and learned how to navigate around
campus independently. In June of 2012,
Mr. Hassan completed his studies and
moved on to the next phase: a Bachelor of
Science in Computer Science at Brooklyn
College. Once again, he was shown how
“If you’re willing to come out of that
depression, you can help yourself,
and there is help for you. And most
importantly – be patient.”
hard,” he explained. “I started to learn
how to read braille. I was taught simple
things, like matching my clothes together.
I received vocational rehabilitation
training. Eventually, it got easier.”
Because none of his educational credits
in his native Pakistan had carried over
to the United States, he obtained his
GED in July of 2008. At the end of
the year, he went to Pakistan to marry
his wife, and returned to the United
States in January of 2009. Upon his
arrival, Mr. Hassan went right back to
school. “I always wanted to work in the
field of computer science, so I went to
Kingsborough Community College to
get my Associates in Computer Science.”
He received Orientation and Mobility
instruction from Helen Keller Services
for the Blind’s instructor, Marie Landais,
to use his white cane to travel to each
of his classes, learn where his professor’s
office was, and use the subway to get
home safely. Mr. Hassan will finish his
coursework in the summer or fall of
2014, and hopes to obtain a job working
for a software company in application
development, particularly in the area of
accessibility. “Making applications and
technology accessible is my main goal,”
he said.
When asked what advice he would impart
to individuals who have experienced
a sudden loss of vision, Mr. Hassan
emphasized the importance of optimism.
“I would tell that person that it is not
the end of the world,” he said. “If you’re
willing to come out of that depression,
you can help yourself, and there is help for
you. And most importantly – be patient.”
2012
Helen Keller Services for the Blind opens
an additional Low Vision Center in Sands
Point. The Helen Keller National Center’s
regional office in Colarado receives a grant
from Colorado Commission for the Deaf
and Hard of Hearing to establish a Support
Service Provider Program in the state.
Thanks to the 21st Century Communications
and Video Accessibility Act and subsequent
partnership with Perkins School for the
Blind, The National Deaf-Blind Equipment
Distribution Program begins.
JOSEPH J. MCNULTY “JOE” RETIRES
Joe McNulty, Executive Director of Helen
Keller National Center, officially retired on
November 4, 2013, after 34 years of dedicated
service to the agency. His long and illustrious
career began in 1977 when he started with The
Industrial Home for the Blind as an Orientation
and Mobility Instructor.
In 1979, Joe transferred to the Helen
Keller National Center as an Orientation
and Mobility Specialist. During his
tenure, he became the Residence
Director in 1981, and the Affiliate
Coordinator in 1985. In 1987, Joe was
named the Assistant Director of Field
Services, and in 1990, he became the
Executive Director of the Helen Keller
National Center. Among the many
accomplishments of his tenure, the
agency received funding to construct
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley
Conference Center in 2000. In 2013, the
Helen Keller National Center received a
six million dollar grant from The Leona
MAKING A
DONATION
Help us continue
to enable individuals
who are blind, visually
impaired, or deaf-blind
to live, work, and thrive
in their community of
choice by making a
donation. There are
many ways you
can help.
M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable
Trust. On a personal level, Joe received
the prestigious Anne Sullivan Award
in 2005 from Deaf blind International
for his outstanding advocacy on behalf
of people who are deaf-blind. Joe will
remain with the organization as a
consultant.
ALSO RETIRING THIS YEAR:
MARY ELLEN BARBIASZ, 32 yrs.
of service. Regional Representative for the
New England regional office.
MAUREEN MCGOWAN, 19 yrs.
of service. Representative Supervisor.
OUTRIGHT GIFTS
•M
ake a secure donation online via Groundspring.org
•M
ail or fax your donation using a donation
form on our website
•D
onate shares of appreciated stock
PLANNED GIFTS
• G ift Annuity • Charitable Remainder Trust • B equests
SHOPPING
Visit our website at www.helenkeller.org for more
information on how your purchases can support
our mission.
For more information, please contact Chief Development Officer
Holly A. Bellows, CFRE, at (718) 522-2122, extension 2079
or via at e-mail at hbellows@helenkeller.org
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Helen Keller Services for the Blind
Summarized Statement of Financial Position
June 30, 2013 (with comparative for 2012)
2013
2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents.. . . . . . . . . . $6,763,584.. . . . . . . . $7,076,009
Grants receivable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,637,426.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $341,933
Program fees and
accounts receivable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,418,893.. . . . . . . . . $1,334,378
Pledges receivable, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $174,619.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $174,619
Due from other funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $355,484.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $361,928
Investments, at fair value. . . . . . . . . . . . $40,010,241.. . . . . . . . $38,774,711
Deferred expenses, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $98,673.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $110,253
Property and
equipment, net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5,687,146.. . . . . . . . $5,460,392
Debt service reserve fund. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $63,666.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $62,352
Other assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $578,281.. . . . . . . . . . . . $560,257
Total Assets
$57,788,013
$54,256,832
LIABILITIES and NET ASSETS
Accounts payable and
accrued expenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,761,192.. . . . . . . . . . $2,691,301
Deferred revenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $511,967.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $401,122
Refundable deposits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $444,022.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $421,421
Due to other funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $355,484.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $361,928
Bonds payable.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $240,000.. . . . . . . . . . $290,000
Other liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $54,771.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . $53,823
Accrued pension obligation. . . . . . . . . $16,164,934.. . . . . . $19,208,547
Total Liabilities
$20,532,370
$23,428,142
2013
Investment Income.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,019,962.. . . . . . . . $1,060,895
Rental Income:
Gross Receipts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,239,601.. . . . . . . . . $2,326,927
Less: Direct Costs.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ($1,170,753).. . . . . . . ($1,061,924)
Net Gains (Losses)
on Investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,504,405.. . . . . . ($1,085,427)
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $165,596.. . . . . . . . . . . $308,008
Total Other Revenue
Total Support
and Revenue
Unrestricted.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $31,024,741.. . . . . . $25,385,669
Temporarily restricted.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,588,323.. . . . . . . . $2,925,568
Permanently restricted:
Endowment funds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $451,471.. . . . . . . . . . . . $460,881
Funds held in trust by others.. . . . . . . $2,191,108.. . . . . . . . $2,056,572
$4,758,811
$1,548,479
$30,554,425
$30,911,531
EXPENSES
Assistive technology. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $316,909.. . . . . . . . . . . . $347,958
Low vision. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $425,254.. . . . . . . . . . . . $444,148
Comprehensive services.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,926,738.. . . . . . . . $2,639,493
Supported employment service. . . . . . . . . . . $48,183.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $42,831
Day habilitation services.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,461,775.. . . . . . . . . . $2,313,075
Senior citizens centers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $87,054.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $347,613
Braille and large print library. . . . . . . . . . . . . $217,719.. . . . . . . . . . . . $724,482
Blind children program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,429,131.. . . . . . . . . . $2,351,615
Summer camp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $89,129.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $133,772
National Center for
Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults. . . . $14,639,527.. . . . . . . $12,785,279
Prevention of blindness.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $122,922.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $219,268
Residential.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $712,316.. . . . . . . . . . . . $688,774
Total Program Services
NET ASSETS
2012
$24,476,657
$23,038,308
National Center for
Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults....... $1,692,274........... $1,381,349
Helen Keller Services
for the Blind.................................. $3,072,859.......... $3,054,618
Total Supporting Services
$4,765,133
$4,435,967
$29,241,790
$27,474,275
Total Net Assets
$37,255,643
$30,828,690
Total Expenses
Total Liabilities
and Net Assets
$57,788,013
$54,256,832
Change in Net Assets before
(Increase) Decrease in
unfunded pension obligation........... $1,312,635.......... $3,437,256
(Increase) Decrease in
unfunded pension obligation............ $5,114,318........ ($8,988,116)
Change in net assets......................$6,426,953......($5,550,860)
Net assets, beginning of year......$30,828,690....... $36,379,550
SUPPORT AND REVENUE
Public support:
Contributions and grants. . . . . . . . . . . . $2,918,972.. . . . . . . . . $3,310,525
Legacies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $894,495.. . . . . . . . . . $1,210,638
Special events:
Gross receipts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $152,497.. . . . . . . . . . . . . $219,433
Less: direct donor benefits. . . . . . . . . . . ($67,640).. . . . . . . . . ($148,527)
Total Public Support
$3,898,324
$4,592,069
National Center for
Deaf Blind Youths and
Adults—grant income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11,900,166.. . . . . . . . $14,555,170
Helen Keller Services
for the Blind—grant income. . . . . . . . . . . . $289,285.. . . . . . . . . . . . $845,746
Training fees and allowances. . . . . . . . $9,707,839.. . . . . . . . $9,370,067
Total Fees and Grants from
Government Agencies
$21,897,290
$24,770,983
Net Assets, End of Year
$37,255,643
$30,828,690
This information shown herein has been
summarized by Helen Keller Services for
the Blind from its 2013 audited financial
statements. A copy of the complete
financial statements and auditor’s report
is available upon request. Email us at
info@HelenKeller.org or write us at HKSB,
57 Willoughby Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Attention: CFO.
ANNUAL REPORT CONTRIBUTORS LIST
for Fiscal Year July 1, 2012 – June 30, 2013
$50,000+
The Leona M. and
Harry B. Helmsley
Charitable Trust
Helen Hoffritz
Charitable Trust
The Lavelle Fund
for the Blind, Inc.
The San Diego
Foundation
$25,000–$49,000
Marianne Bier
Revocable Trust
May Ellen and Gerald
Ritter Foundation
$10,000–$24,999
Bannerot-Lappe
Foundation
Brooklyn Benevolent
Society
Faith Home
Foundation
Frank J. Antun
Foundation
Harold and
Helen Lerner
Joseph L. Mancino
Bruce D. Martin
Reader’s Digest
Partners for
Sight Foundation
Sarah K. deCoizart
Article TENTH
Perpetual
Charitable Trust
The Cleveland
Foundation
The Fay J. Lindner
Foundation
The Peter & Jeri
Dejana Family
Foundation
$5,000-$9,999
Maureen Alcock
Americana Manhasset
Baker, Donelson,
Bearman
Mario Bruno
The Daphne
Seybolt Culpeper
Foundation, Inc.
Fidelity Charitable
Gift Fund
Fieldpoint Private
Thomas Jacoberger
McKeen Fund
New York
Community Bank
Diana and Michael
Nicholson
George B. Saul
SL Green Realty Corp.
TD Bank
The Sandra Atlas
Bass and Edythe
& Sol G. Atlas Fund
United Way of
Long Island
Steven Walsh
Zeitz Foundation
$1,000-$4,999
Aging in New York
Fund, Inc.
Alexander Alexiou
Manuel H. Baron
Alexandria Bartkus
BDO USA
Michael Bernstein
Matthew C. Boodhoo
Joseph F. Bruno
John R. Caughey
Coldwell Banker
Bernard Compagnon
Davidoff Hutcher
& Citron LLP
Martin I. Elias
Rob Engelke
Fat Guy Media
Fidelity Brokerage
Services, LLC
Forest Hills
Football League
Jean Greenfield
Michael D. Greenspan
Kimberly Griffiths
Gundermann &
Gundermann, Inc.
Cornelius A. Heaney
Jason Hochberg
Jackson Lewis LLP
John F. LaRosa
David E. Lawrence
Lily Palmer Fry
Memorial Trust
Long Island
Portuguese Lions Club
Robert Lozzi
Lutheran
Medical Center
Joseph L. Mancino
Patricia Mankowski
Mayer Brown LLP
Metzger-Price
Fund, Inc.
Mineola Lions
Club Foundation
Terry Mitchell
Ocean First Bank
Patriot National Bank
Perkins Alumni
Association
Sally L. Pian
Audrey Rabinowitz
Raich Ende Malter
& Co. LLP
Ressa Family LLC
Salem Missionary
Bapist Church
The Amelia M.
Buschold & Cecile
A. Litterer
Charitable Trust
Francine Shapiro
South Shore
Office Products
Tamarack
Advisors LLC
The Community
Foundation for
Greater Atlanta
The Leonard
Friedland Charitable
Foundation
The Milton and
Fannie Brown
Family Foundation
United Way of
Massachusetts Bay
and Merrimack Valley
United Way of
New York City
Victoria Loconsolo
Foundation Inc.
W.P. Owners Corp.
Charity Fund
Kenneth L. Wessel
Jeffrey R. Williams
Isaac Zion
$500–$999
The Community
SynagogueBrotherhood
David N. Adler
Robert B. Alperin
Nikos Andreadis
Andreadis Capital
LLC
Bank of America
United Way Campaign
Robert Brooks
Jason Caramico
C Jay Chudnoff
Courtney International
Fowarding Inc.
Thomas DeMartini
Richard K. Dzwlewicz
The Fahey Family
Donor Advised Fund
Guy Gaines
David Hall
Independent
Living Aids, LLC
Jewish Communal
Fund
Daniel Kramer
Lawrence and
Walsh, P.C.
Long Island Scottish
Rite Bodies
Gary Melius
Melkonian Capital
Management, LLC
David Moffitt
Sue Ann Murray
Roger E. Podesta
Ridgewood
Savings Bank
Irwin Schneidmill
Alfred Selgas
David Sherman
Spartan Security
Services, Inc.
Springfield Gardens
Lodge Charitable
Foundation, Inc.
Stop & Stor
Charitable Fund
Bala R. Subramanyam
The Rudman
Partnership
Eleanor B. Ulich
United Way of
Greater Portland
$250–$499
Alpha-Genesis
Sunshine Foundation
Roger L. Bahnik
Bank of America
Philanthropic
Management
Holly A. Bellows
Bensonhurst
Lions Club
John Campion
Fern Cohen
Charles Courtney
Barry Donohue
Theodore Gewertz
Elaine M. Gleason
Huntington Neighbors
and Newcomers Club
Steven P. Kaplan
Arun Kumar
Orrin K. Loftin
Lord & Taylor
Luxottica Group
Maxi Aids, Inc.
Genine McCormick
Donald McCune
Harold A. Meriam
Prabha Mistry
William Moreo
Pfizer Foundation
United Way Campaign
Ira M. Price
Robert Randolph
Paul O. Richard
Pamela Scheiner
Zainab Shahpurwala
Stuy Park Lions Club
Truist
Lee Unterman
Marilyn
Valente-Bartkus
Tony C. Wang
Cynthia J. Warren
Carol Lynn White
Proctor N. Wong
Woodhaven
Optometric
Associates, P.C.
Leonard Wurzel
Michael D. Young
Young’s Fine Wines
& Spirits
Irene Zaoutis
$100–$249
The Kiwanis Club
of Manhasset-PW
Foundation Inc.
Carole Aaronson
Emmet Agoglia
James Alessi
Roy Andersen
Louis J. Anzalone
Maureen D. Apa
Richard T. Arkwright
David Armistead
William C. Arnold
Sunil Ashtaputre
Gloria Askew
Frank T. Barranca
Kathleen Bartkus
Kenneth A.
Birmingham
Richard Boyd
Dorothy C. Brenner
Leo D. Bretter
Ralph A. Bumbaca
Joanne Bundschuch
Sharon Camlic
Tara Cardone
Marina Carroll
Eric Caslow
Ira Casson
Lucy A. Ceccio
Robert Chao
Tariq Cheema
H. Chrabolowski
John Clark
Kimberly Clark
Coffee
Distributing Corp.
David H. Collins
John Collins
Commack UFSD
Michael Connolly
Vincent Consolazio
Corner Finn
Nicholson & Charles
Maurice Cote
Eddy Creces
George Davis
Leslie Davis
Carmen Della Ratta
Walter J. Dembek
Rose M. DeStefano
Carol Ann Dondiego
Klara Drossos
Alfred Eines
John R. Elarde
Fred W. Enzler
John D. Evans
Mitchell Fang
Mary Ellen Favuzza
Tim Feehan
Bernard J. Fitzsimons
Elby Franks
Julius Frazier
Amedeo Gabrielli
Gracene Gardella
Gretel Goldberger
Dan Goldstein
David Goldstein
Larry Goldstein
Grandfriends Club
of Commack
High School
Mary Anne Gray
Great American
Property
Management, Inc.
Laura Griest
Edward Guggemos
Joseph A.
Gundermann III
Doris L. Haas
Lamar Hall
Wayde Harrison
Ira M. Hazan
Hefferin Tree
& Landscape
Rachel Heinbaugh
Kenneth J. Henry
Earl F. Herring
Michael Hughes
Robert Jenkins
C. L. Johnson
Raju Kalidindi
Andrew Karmen
Michael Kennedy
Austin King
Kitt Floor
Covering, Inc.
Stephen Klein
Harold Knapp
Muriel Kornheiser
Lorraine Kotoucek
Sowmya Kumar
John Lalena
Julie G. Lamb
James P. Larkin
Margaret M.
Lashbrook
Richard V. Lata
Stephen A. Lauri
Julie Lefkowitz
Milton Leifer
Herbert J. Levine
Joan H. Levy
Hsi-Hsien Liang
Gene and Annabelle
Lieberman
Scott Lindberg
Stephen B. Lipton
Angelica Llera
Peter J. Lorenzo
Loyal Panama
& Zipporah Ways
& Mean
Pat Lupo
Kathryn Lustig
Joseph Mage
Cory Malone
Doris J. Marshall
Stephen A. Martin
Myron Martiuk
Susan Matuozzi
Stephen R. Maun
Bruce L. Mayers
Margaret F.
McCormack
Carlos McCoy
Edward Meckeneck
Matt Melkonian
Judith Meskill
Danny Michelangeli
Charlotte Miles
New York City
Transit Authority
Carmela Nigro
North Shore Dental
Neil O’Donnell
Hildegard Oker-Bogle
Mary Orr
Harry Otterman
Jayesh M. Patel
Perkins School
for the Blind
Dorothy C. Petruskie
Gerda Picco
Lynn Platzner
Power Ten Fitness
Club, Inc.
Susan Push
Mounir Rabbat
Mercedes P. Rea
Joseph Reid
Anna Riveria
Andrew Romay
Richard N. Ross
Diana Roth
Linda Sanders
Etheldra Scoggin
Shelley Scotto
Maurene Shifflett
Ira Silverman
Meryl Silverstein
Alisa Singer
John Skidmore
Gloria Skipper
Walter K. Smith
Salvatore Sparacino
Eric Stampfl
State Employees
Federated Appeal
Philip F. Stenger
Ronald Tauber
The Kula Foundation
The Prospect Hill
Foundation
Martha Anne
Thompson
Maria L. Tossini
Harold Urquhart
Theodore M. Utchen
Ronald Varricchio
Ira Warren
Louis H. Weinberg
Shelly Weinig
James W. Whalen
Nancy Wilson
Rich Youmans
Helene B. Young
Terry Young
Pablo Zappi-Manzoni
Wei Zhang
Maxine Zinder
GOVERNMENT
PARTNERS
NYS Senator
Martin Golden
NYS Senator
Jack Martins
NYS Assembly
Member Joseph Lentol
NYS Assembly
Member Joan Millman
NYS Assembly
Member Walter Mosley
NYS Assembly
Member Michelle
Schimel
NYS Assembly
Member Robert
Sweeney
NYC Borough
President Marty
Markowitz
NYC Council
Member Maria del
Carmen Arroyo
NYC Council Member
Vincent Gentile
NYC Council Member
Sara Gonzalez
NYC Council Member
Letitia James
NYC Council Member
Brad Lander
NYC Council Member
Stephen Levin
NYC Council Member
Jumaane Williams
Nassau County
Legislator
Wayne Wink
Town of
North Hempstead
Councilwoman
Dina DeGiorgio
Town of North
Hempstead Town
Clerk Leslie Gross
NYC Board
of Education
NYC Department
for the Aging
NYC Department
of Health & Mental
Hygiene/Early
Intervention
NYS Education
Department/
ACCES-VR
NYS Office
for the Aging
NYS Office of
Children & Family
Services/NYS
Commission for
the Blind
NYS Office for People
with Developmental
Disabilities
Colorado Commission
for the Deaf & Hard
of Hearing
Federal
Communications
Commission
US Department
of Education
IN-KIND
CONTRIBUTORS
Baltimore
Design Group
Black Tie Wine
& Spirits
Brooks Brothers
Callaway Golf
Consolidated Edison
of New York
Coldwell Banker
Debra and Claudio
Del Vecchio
Dime Savings Bank
of Williamsburg
Robert Gergely
Gundermann &
Gundermann Inc.
King Kullen
Grocery Co., Inc.
Frank La Rocca
Richard Law
Lord & Taylor
Luxottica
New York Grand
Lodge Foundation
Order Sons Of Italy
Pearl East Restaurant
Poll Hospitality Group
Ridgewood
Savings Bank
Laura Rocchio
Skyline Title
Suzanne Ressa
TD Bank
Tsontos Furs
Van Buren
Buick GMC
The Village Club
of Sands Point
Young’s Fine
Wine & Spirits
OFFICE LOCATIONS:
HELEN KELLER SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
BROOKLYN
57 Willoughby Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 522-2122
Fax: (718) 935-9463
E-Mail: info@helenkeller.org
HEMPSTEAD
One Helen Keller Way
Hempstead, NY 11550
(516) 485-1234
Fax: (516) 538-6785
HUNTINGTON
40 New York Avenue
Huntington, NY 11743
(631) 424-0022
Fax: (631) 424-0301
HELEN KELLER
NATIONAL CENTER
141 Middle Neck Road
Sands Point, NY 11050
(516) 944-8900
Fax: (516) 944-7302
E-mail: HKNCinfo@hknc.org
HELEN KELLER SERVICES FOR THE BLIND
57 WILLOUGHBY STREET
BROOKLYN, NY 11201
Helen Keller Services for the Blind, a non-profit
501(c)(3), includes the Helen Keller National
Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults,
through an act of Congress.
CELEBRATING
120 YEARS
OF HISTORY…