Brooklyn Paper: Snip, snip on new Helen Keller Services headquarters
Helen Keller Services celebrated its new center opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The center has a new preschool program, a community space and more.
By Julianne Cuba, Brooklyn Paper | January 25, 2019
Original article on Brooklyn Paper’s website
Downtown
Three cheers for the new Helen Keller Services center Downtown, whose leaders on Jan. 15 celebrated its grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The new state-of-the-art headquarters for Helen Keller Services — which last year celebrated its 125th anniversary of enabling individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or have combined hearing and vision loss, to thrive in their communities — at 180 Livingston St. boasts a massive lobby, new preschool program for youngsters 1-to-5-years-old, a kid’s gym, and family and community space among its many amenities.
Helen Keller Services, which opened in Kings County more than a century ago, made its home on Willoughby Street for 65 years, and is now excited for a new chapter to even better support its employees and clients in the new space, according to the head of the center.
“People were very pleased with the outcome of the building, from our employees who work there, they love it,” said Joseph Bruno. “And the people we treat and work with can come to a place that’s dignified and accessible and says to them, ‘We care about you,’ from the very premise itself. It was a very successful event.”
Bruno was joined by local pols, including Bedford-Stuyvesant Councilman Robert Cornegy and Fort Greene Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo, who pitched in some funds to help build out the new center, he said.
“Thanks to all the educators and advocates ensuring all our communities have access to services,” said Cornegy on social media.
— Julianne Cuba
