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Helen Keller Services
Brooklyn, NY · EIN 111630807 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE P860 · Human Services · Very Large (>$50M) · helenkeller.org
revenue
$53.3M
expenses
$44.0M
net assets
$128.7M
employees
489
volunteers
54
program ratio
85%
mission · from form 990

To enable individuals who are blind, visually-impaired, deaf-blind and/or have combined hearing-vision loss to live, work, and thrive in their community of choice.

profile · synthesized from sources

Helen Keller Services supports individuals who are blind, visually impaired, deaf-blind, or have combined hearing and vision loss to live and work independently. The organization operates through two divisions: Helen Keller National Center (HKNC), which provides vocational rehabilitation and training services nationwide, and Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB), which offers comprehensive programs in the New York metropolitan area. Services include early intervention, education, assistive technology, vocational training, and community integration.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $5.52M
    HKSB COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION SERVICES - HKSB offers an array of core vocational rehabilitation services that include but are not limited to employment training, job development and job placement, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation, social work, low vision and adaptive technology, Day Habilitation Services, and a community residence in Wantagh, N.Y.
  2. #2 $4.62M
    The Children's learning Center (CLC) - CLC is a specialized program which offers a full range of programs and services to preschool children who are blind or have low vision, as well as multiple disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, or pervasive developmental delays. The early intervention program provides in-home therapeutic services for infants and toddlers with visual impairments and additional disabilities.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

Children's Learning Center
Offers a full-day center-based special education preschool program for children ages 3-5 with visual impairments or developmental delays, and a home-based early intervention program for infants and toddlers in Brooklyn, NY.
Comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Program
Provides person-centered training in adaptive technology, communication, orientation and mobility, independent living, and vocational services at HKNC's Sands Point campus for DeafBlind individuals nationwide.
Day Habilitation Services
Provides individualized training and habilitation to developmentally disabled adults to increase independence and community integration in the New York metropolitan area.
Destiny Home
Provides 24-hour supported living for DeafBlind individuals with intellectual disabilities in Port Washington, NY, enabling community participation and employment.
Summer Youth Programs at HKNC
Offers summer programs for DeafBlind youth ages 16-24 at the Sands Point campus to promote independence, career exploration, and skill development.
activities · 6 groups

What they do

  • Deaf and Hard of Hearing Support Services 4 activities
    • Assistive technology and communication access services
      Provides training in adaptive technology, communication strategies, and accommodation systems for individuals who are blind, DeafBlind, or have low vision. Offers communication access services including interpreting, SSP services, and assistive technologies at HKNC and through workplace integration programs.
    • Capacity building through partnerships and training
      Develops partnerships with vocational rehabilitation professionals and organizations to support services for DeafBlind individuals, and trains staff in alternative communication methods including tactile and visual sign language, object cues, and assistive technology.
    • National services for DeafBlind individuals
      Provides comprehensive, nationwide services to youth (16+), adults, and seniors who are DeafBlind through a network of 11 regional offices across all 50 states, including customized training, habilitation, and support for community and employment integration.
    • Professional and public education programs
      Provides in-person and online courses, educational resources, and interactive webinars for professionals, families, and individuals who are DeafBlind or have combined hearing and vision loss, covering topics such as workplace success, assistive technology, and museum accessibility.
  • Vision Rehabilitation Services 3 activities
    • Customized rehabilitation and independent living training
      Provides one-on-one rehabilitation training and customized service plans focused on practical, real-world applications, including safe travel, home management, and daily living skills for individuals who are blind, DeafBlind, or have developmental disabilities. Services are delivered both at regional offices and in home communities across the U.S.
    • Orientation and mobility training
      Delivers orientation and mobility training, including guide dog mobility instruction, to increase independence for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Training is provided as part of comprehensive rehabilitation services.
    • Senior and community support services
      Provides long-term support services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired from childhood through adulthood, including senior support services, transportation assistance, mail reading, book club support, and community outings.
  • Special Education Preschool Programs 1 activity
    • Early childhood and special education programs
      Operates a full-day center-based preschool for children ages 3–5 with visual impairments and developmental delays, including the only specialized preschool program in New York City for such children. Also provides home-based early intervention services for children from infancy to age 3.
  • Residential Support for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
    • Residential and day habilitation services
      Operates a community residence in Wantagh, NY and Destiny Home, a group home in Port Washington, NY, providing 24-hour support for DeafBlind individuals with intellectual disabilities. Services include day habilitation and support for community engagement in employment, volunteering, and independent living.
  • Supported Employment for Developmental Disabilities 1 activity
    • Vocational rehabilitation and employment training
      Offers comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services including job training, vocational assessment, job placement, workplace accommodations, and career advancement support for individuals who are blind, DeafBlind, or visually impaired. Programs include Pathway to Employment and A TEAM, with outcomes including employment integration and corporate internships.
  • Specialized Summer Camps for Disabilities 1 activity
    • Youth and summer programs for DeafBlind youth
      Offers two summer youth programs for DeafBlind individuals aged 16–24 at the Sands Point, NY campus, focused on independence, career exploration, and skills development. Also provides recreational and community-based activities including arts, music, games, and outings.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$53.31M
Contributions & grants$25.63M48%
Program service revenue$13.54M25%
Investment income$13.59M25%
Other revenue$556K
expenses
Total expenses$44.00M
Program expenses85%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising4%
Salaries & benefits$30.87M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$165.27M
Cash$20.10M
Investments$99.02M
Liabilities$36.57M
Net assets$128.70M
Liquid reserves32.5 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +17.8%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 9
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
Susan Ruzenski CEO 35 $299K
Rosanna Fodera Director of Comprehensive Services 35 $244K
Mia Murro Chief Administrative Officer 35 $219K
Sharona Hebroni Chief Financial Officer 35 $213K
Laura Rocchio Director Direct Services 35 $164K
Elizabeth Meade Associate Executive Director 35 $153K
Trina Coccarelli Chief Advancement and Marketing Officer 35 $153K
Deborah Harlin Executive Director 35 $151K
John L Filek Executive Director 35 $118K
board members · 16
  • Alka Nischal — Secretary
  • Allison Robl — Board Member
  • Allison Yadav — Board Member
  • Alvin Adelman — Vice Chairman
  • Anthony Baronci — Board Member
  • Cara Petrucelli — Board Member
  • Christopher Maher — Board Member
  • Diana Nicholson — Board Member
  • Dina DePina — Board Member
  • Elise Schroeder — Board Member
  • Gary Hett — Board Member
  • James Klancnik — Board Member
  • John Shattuck — Board Member
  • Larry Kinitsky — Chairman/Officer
  • Lori Kranczer — Board Member
  • Matthew Garvey — Board Member
relationships · 17

Who they work with

  • AKAM Partner — Serves as Title Sponsor of the 34th Annual Golf Classic, supporting programs in early childhood education, job training, and senior services.
  • Corporations Partner — Corporate partners collaborate by developing accessible technologies and providing employment opportunities for participants
  • HKNC Network — Operates volunteer programs at HKNC headquarters in Sands Point, indicating organizational affiliation.
  • HKSB Network — Operates volunteer programs at HKSB’s Brooklyn location, indicating organizational affiliation.
  • HKSB Partner — Collaborates on comprehensive rehabilitation and early childhood education programs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.
  • Helen Keller Partner — Referenced as the namesake and inspirational figure of the organization.
  • Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults Network — Division of Helen Keller Services that serves individuals who are DeafBlind nationwide
  • Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults Network — National division of Helen Keller Services headquartered in Sands Point, NY, with regional offices across the U.S.
  • Helen Keller National Center for DeafBlind Youths and Adults Partner — Division of Helen Keller Services providing specialized training and support for DeafBlind individuals.
  • Helen Keller Services Network — Member organization of the Helen Keller Services network
  • Helen Keller Services for the Blind Network — Division of Helen Keller Services that provides programs in the New York metropolitan area
  • Helen Keller Services for the Blind Network — Regional division of Helen Keller Services serving the New York City/Long Island area.
  • Helen Keller Services for the Blind Partner — Division of Helen Keller Services offering vocational rehabilitation, assistive technology training, and professional development for individuals with vision loss.
  • Nashville Bridges Deaf Center Partner — Collaborates on training initiatives for individuals who are DeafBlind, including the TN SSP Training.
  • National Grid Foundation Partner — Provides ongoing grants to support the Children's Learning Center and other key programs.
  • Office for People With Developmental Disabilities Government — Certifies Destiny Home as a group home serving DeafBlind individuals with intellectual disabilities.
  • UsableNet Partner — Joe DiNero serves as Head Digital Accessibility Tester at UsableNet, collaborating with Helen Keller Services for the Blind on digital accessibility initiatives.
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Barrier Removal as Enabler of Independence
    methodology: barrier_removal
    By systematically addressing physical, digital, and attitudinal barriers, the organization creates conditions under which individuals who are blind or DeafBlind can thrive, because removing environmental and social obstacles is foundational to participation and self-determination.
  • Integrated Lifecycle Support Model
    methodology: lifecycle_support_model
    By providing coordinated services across life stages—including early intervention, education, vocational training, and independent living support—the organization builds sustained independence, because addressing needs at each phase enables cumulative skill development and long-term success.
  • Person-Centered Rehabilitation Planning
    methodology: person_centered_rehabilitation
    By tailoring rehabilitation services to individual goals and real-world needs, Helen Keller Services fosters greater independence and employment outcomes for people who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind, because personalized planning increases relevance, engagement, and skill transfer.
  • Supported Employment with Ongoing Vocational Integration
    methodology: supported_employment
    By combining vocational training with personalized job placement and sustained support, the organization enables competitive employment for DeafBlind individuals, because continuous assistance mitigates workplace challenges and increases job retention.
  • Workplace-Integrated Co-Design for DeafBlind Employment
    methodology: workplace_co_design
    By co-developing customized communication systems within workplaces alongside employers and employees, Helen Keller Services enables DeafBlind individuals to work independently, because integrating accommodations directly into job environments removes systemic barriers and promotes inclusion.