May 19, 2026 – DHC was honored to join Helen Keller Services for the Blind (HKSB) in welcoming NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin and Council Member Lincoln Restler to their Downtown Brooklyn location. Council Member Shahana Hanif, Chair of the NYC Council’s Disability Committee, was represented by Anisha Uppal-Sullivan.

CEO Sue Ruzenski greeted the delegation and spoke to HKSB’s enduring partnership with the City Council and its comprehensive services for New Yorkers who are blind, have low vision, or are DeafBlind across the five boroughs and Long Island. Council Member Restler expressed heartfelt appreciation for the staff and the individuals they serve. Speaker Menin offered her strong support for Helen Keller Services and praised the breadth of their impact — both on-site and throughout the community — including the dedicated staff who work with children navigating multiple complex needs.

Children from HKSB’s Children’s Learning Center, accompanied by their teacher and Principal Dr. Avien Henry, presented Speaker Menin with original artwork created especially for the occasion. Dr. Henry and Liz Meade then led a tour of the facility, including a visit to a preschool classroom where the Speaker spent time with HKSB’s youngest learners. DHC was represented by Arthur Goldstein, Partner, and Melissa Chapman-Samad, Senior Director of Government Relations.