An Evening at The Stone Goat
Supporting Helen Keller Services’ Children’s Learning Center expansion on Long Island
An Evening at The Stone Goat: Supporting the Children’s Learning Center expansion on Long Island
Thursday, April 23, 2026 | 6:00 PM The Stone Goat Restaurant & Brewery 552 N Country Rd, Saint James, NY 11787
Join us as Helen Keller Services brings our community together to build support for two new specialized preschools in Suffolk and Nassau Counties—serving children ages 3-5 with visual impairments, autism, Down syndrome, and complex developmental needs.
Tickets: $100 per person | Limited seating available
Your evening includes food, drinks, and an opportunity to learn about our programming and expansion plans, hear directly from families and leadership about the impact of the Children’s Learning Center, and connect with others invested in advancing access to specialized early childhood services on Long Island.
The Expansion
On Long Island, families of children with complex developmental needs including visual impairments and face limited options for comprehensive specialized preschool programs. Early intervention during ages 3-5 is critical in building foundations for communication, mobility, independence, and lifelong learning.
Helen Keller Services is opening two new Children’s Learning Center locations to address this need, serving children ages 3-5 with complex developmental needs, including visual impairments, autism, Down syndrome, and additional developmental disabilities.
Suffolk County – Islandia
Nassau County – Plainview
Both locations opening in 2026
Each location will integrate education and therapy under one roof in coordination to support children’s development across cognitive, physical, social, and communication skills.
What Makes the CLC Different
Support is individualized through a multidisciplinary team approach that integrates education and therapy in accessible, specialized environments.
- Education and therapy integrated under one roof – no separate appointments, coordinated team approach
- Multidisciplinary teams working in coordination – speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, early childhood special education teachers
- Specialized expertise in vision loss and complex needs – teachers of the visually impaired work alongside classroom teachers and therapists
- Family partnership at every step – Social Workers and family support staff partnering with families throughout the journeyregular communication, workshops, home and school connection
Your Support Matters
This event brings together local businesses, community leaders, and supporters who recognize the importance of specialized early childhood services and are committed to ensuring children with complex developmental needs across Nassau and Suffolk Counties have access to the specialized services that set the foundation for lifelong learning and independence. Your support can help make the difference between a family having new opportunities for their child or continuing to navigate waitlists and fragmented systems.
Your support enables us to create environments where children thrive:
- Facility Development: Specialized classrooms, sensory spaces, accessible outdoor areas
- Technology & Accessibility: Assistive devices, communication systems, adaptive learning tools
- Named Giving Opportunities: Classrooms, therapy rooms, outdoor spaces—create a lasting legacy
When families have access to services during these critical early years, children gain skills and confidence that transform their educational trajectories. Your investment ensures we can welcome every child who needs these services.
Family Voices
“When he first started, he was scared to walk and now he walks around freely and is even walking up the steps at home with support. He came in not knowing his alphabet, numbers, or how to engage with toys, and today he’s made huge strides in all of those areas. He has become more independent and confident thanks to your hard work and compassion.”
“Not everyone would have looked at our daughter and seen all of her amazing potential, but every single person she has encountered at Helen Keller did.”
“We want to say thank you for being amazing! We know your jobs can be challenging, but every single one of you handles them with incredible grace and kindness. Every single one of you truly makes it a home, a place where we as parents know our kids are safe and happy.”
Dr. Avien Henry, Principal, Children’s Learning Center:
“What we see year after year is nothing short of extraordinary. Children who arrive with complex needs leave us thriving, meeting milestones that seemed distant at the start. With the right support, the right expertise, and our specialists working together seamlessly, we watch children flourish in ways that continually inspire us.”
Larry Kinitsky, Board Chairman:
“On behalf of our Board of Trustees, I want to express how proud we are to support this expansion. This represents our commitment to maintaining excellent programs, growing our impact, and reaching more families who need early childhood services. We’re investing in the future of Long Island’s children.”
Event Sponsorship Opportunities
This expansion represents a significant milestone for Long Island families who have had extremely limited options for specialized preschool services. Sponsorship packages provide prominent recognition at the event and in related materials while aligning your organization with Helen Keller Services’ mission to support facility development, accessibility technology, and the specialized programming that allows children with complex developmental needs to thrive.
Event Location:
Thursday, April 23, 2026
The Stone Goat Restaurant & Brewery
552 N Country Rd, Saint James, NY 11787
Download and share our event invitation
Helen Keller Services: Creating Pathways to Independence from the Earliest Years