Downtown
Let’s hear it for Helen Keller Services for the Blind, Darcy Stacom and Robert B.Catell. The venerable institution will culminate its year long celebrations of its 125th year on Sept. 13 at a gala at Liberty Warehouse in Red Hook as well as honoring Stacom, the Chairwoman of CB Richard Ellis, New York City Markets and former chairman of National Grid Robert Catell (below).
Joseph Bruno, president and chief executive officer, shared, “We’re pleased and excited that two of New York’s most respected and influential professionals will be honorees at our gala. Darcy Stacom (below) led the extraordinary CBRE team responsible for the successful sale of our Willoughby Street headquarters building. She is a leading figure in New York City’s real estate community and a true friend of Helen Keller Services.”
Bruno said of Catell “He is someone I’ve known personally and professionally for many years, going back to his Brooklyn Union Gas and Keyspan Energy days.”
Additionally Bruno added, “By serving as honorees, Darcy and Bob each bring considerable support to Helen Keller Services and its mission to enable individuals who are blind, visually-impaired, deaf-blind or have combined hearing-vision loss to live, work and thrive in the communities of their choice.”
Helen Keller Services began in Brooklyn in 1893 as The Industrial Home for the Blind. Two years later, National Grid, then Brooklyn Union Gas, opened its doors around the corner. “Our two organizations have been linked ever since. This is a very exciting time for Helen Keller Services,” said Bruno. “We are honoring our 125-year-old Brooklyn roots with the gala and the move to a new space in Brooklyn.”
For additional information on the gala visit: www.helen
Helen Keller Services for the Blind [57 Willoughby St. in Downtown, (718) 522–2122].
Gravesend
Hip, hip hooray!
For the second year in a row, Coney Island Prep High School’s graduating seniors have all been accepted to college. Last year’s seniors, who were the first graduates of the charter school, started the trend, which founder Jacob Mnookin says is what he promised to families when he started the school nine years ago.
“From the beginning, we have been laser-focused on preparing our students to succeed in the college and career of their choice. I am unbelievably proud of all of the hard work of the students, teachers and counselors, and the support of their families that have brought us here, one step closer to achieving that dream.”
Last year’s graduating class saw 85 percent attend four-year colleges or universities, and 15 percent attended two-year community colleges. While this year’s senior class has until May 1 to make its final decision regarding college matriculation, a similar ratio is expected.
“To have every single one of our seniors accepted to college is an incredible achievement,” added Mnookin.
Naa’ilah Frazier, a senior from Bath Beach, was accepted to 33 colleges. “As soon as the application windows opened up, I started applying. I spent hours and hours doing it, because I can’t wait to go to college and be more independent,” she said.
There are 74 seniors in this graduating class.
Evan Burns, principal shared, “We always knew they could do it, but to see every one of our scholars have a great choice of colleges to attend is so exciting. I’m so proud of our scholars and our teachers for helping them every step of the way.”
Coney Island Prep [294 Avenue T at Lake Street in Gravesend, (718) 676–1063].
