A lively group of staff, students, guide dogs, and representatives of corporations and community organizations gathered at The Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) in Sands Point to recognize the efforts of local employers who have hired students enrolled in HKNC's vocational program. The Work Providers Breakfast was held in conjunction with Deaf-Blind Awareness Week and Helen Keller's 123rd birthday.

In his opening remarks, Joseph McNulty, HKNC's executive director, spoke of the substantial progress that has been made in the concept of vocational education for the deaf-blind. "Since the late '70s," he said, "we have moved from a sheltered workshop type of situation, where students sat at benches, to where we are today." He added, "We are so proud of our students." Acknowledging the employers, he said, "Because someone on Long Island took a chance on them [the students], they are leaving here with a work history, a résumé. They are leaving here motivated and confident." McNulty also spoke of the importance of the opportunity for deaf-blind individuals to interact with those who are not, and vice-versa. He commented, "The public has a chance to see them in the way they work on production teams, at the deli, at Starbucks."

Kathy Mezack, coordinator of vocational services for HKNC, welcomed the honored guests and students. Vocational Services' program serves to advance the overall organization's mission of enabling deaf-blind individuals to live and work as independently as possible in their community of choice. "A special objective of our program," she said, "is to help students to enter and re-enter the work force." The program accomplishes its objectives by providing evaluation, training, job coaches, and placement in community work experience sites to young adults. The ultimate goal is to enable individuals to obtain meaningful work in their home communities.

In welcoming the community work providers, Mezack emphasized the benefits to both trainee and employer. The student intern gains experience in "real-life" facilities, develops self-confidence and pride in his or her accomplishments, and feels a sense of belonging. "They develop the ability to earn a paycheck, security and independence," she said. The employer, in turn, gets a skilled, motivated, reliable employee. "They make excellent employees," said Mezack, adding, "the quality of the labor force is a real issue - a key to the bottom line."

Robert Hendrickson, DVM, from the Manhasset Animal Hospital was a keynote speaker on behalf of the employers. One of the students had expressed an interest in working with animals, so the Vocational Services office called the hospital. Dr. Hendrickson said, "When I got a call asking if I would accept a student volunteer, I didn't know what to expect. I met with Theresa and found her to be bright, eager and confident." Theresa started by walking the dogs that were boarding at the animal hospital. Hendrickson said that she demonstrated, among other skills, the ability to identify animals that were having difficulty and needed attention. Gradually she took on additional responsibilities, including dentistry. "She did so well," Hendrickson said, "that we offered her a paid job." Having completed her stint at Manhasset Animal Hospital, Theresa has found a permanent job working with animals in her home state of Illinois. "We were all sorry to see her go," said Hendrickson.

Interestingly, Dr. Hendrickson found that Theresa taught him some important lessons. First, he said that he had been in the habit of rushing around throwing out instructions to others. "Theresa taught me to speak slowly and make eye contact," he said, a habit that he now uses to advantage with all his co-workers. He added, "She also taught me that we can connect with animals through feelings."

Ronnie Hall, representing the students, spoke next. Exuding apparently boundless energy, Ronnie spoke of his experience in working at two sites: Central Credit Union in Forest Hills and Five J's Jewelers in Port Washington. He spoke very highly of his employers, specifically Arlene Rudin at the credit union and John Hutchinson at Five J's. Ronnie, who studies information technology at HKNC, does general clerical work, filing, accounts payable, loan processing, maintenance of a customer database, and other general office work. "If my boss needs anything done, I do it, and that's pretty much it." [Editorial note: what boss would not love an employee with that attitude?] In a subsequent conversation, Rudin said, "Ronnie has done more for me than I can say. He is a terrific worker. The staff are delighted that they [the interns] can do the work that the staff may not want to do or have time to do."

Each of the employers in attendance was presented with a beautiful plaque, which had a clock built in. The plaques were handmade by HKNC's vocational students. Mezack also honored the service departments at HKNC who provided work opportunities for the students, including the kitchen, maintenance and the library. Some of the Long Island for-profit and not-for-profit work experience providers, in addition to those already mentioned, include Association for the Help of Retarded Children (AHRC), The Gap, Filene's Basement, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Network Associates, St. Francis Hospital, Wal-Mart, Pizza Hut, T.J. Maxx, Target, Tower Records, Subway, North Shore Animal League, Trunz, Waldbaum's, Jimmy's Shoes and Alpers Hardware.

Afterwards, Allison Burrows from the Community Education Department offered a tour of the facility. As most of Port News's readers know, the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths is located on a beautiful 25-acre campus in Sands Point, adjacent to the Sands Point Preserve. For more information on the organization, one can call 516-944-8900 (regular) or 516-944-8637 (TTY), or visit their website at www.hknc.org.

In observing and speaking with the students enrolled in the work experience project, we were struck with their enthusiasm and commitment. Their concern is only to secure regular work that will give them a sense of belonging and being productive, and that will enable them to live independently. It gives pause to those of us who nitpick at our job's every flaw. A former student, Scott Stoffel, summarized his feelings in a poem.

ODE TO THE WORK PROVIDERS

By Scott Stoffel, former HKNC student

For one who roams the world unhindered,

how trifling some things may seem,

but to one bound in chains of iron

the simple things are but a dream.

How truly special it is

when along comes one who holds a key

and casts aside those iron shackles

to set a human spirit free.