Helen Keller National Center Unveils Newly Renovated Independent Living Kitchen with a NY Bagel-Making Celebration
HKNC celebrated the grand reopening of our newly renovated Independent Living kitchen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an authentic NY bagel-making experience for our DeafBlind participants.
August 28, 2024
Helen Keller National Center’s New Independent Living Kitchen
Video Thumbnail Image: From left to right: Reva Castillenti, Instructor & Manager; Maricar Marquez, Supervisor of Independent Living Department at HKNC; Sam “the Bagel Guy” Silverman, owner of BagelUp
Newscaster: It was a morning of rolling, boiling, seeding, and baking. This is at the Helen Keller National Center.
Man 1: [Drops bagel into a pot of water] Whoops!
Man 2: Wow, that’s perfect. Good job.
Newscaster: That looks so cool. The center in Port Washington opened its newly renovated kitchen today. DeafBlind members of the Independent Living Program celebrated by learning how to make bagels from scratch. We’re told the kitchen has accessible equipment, lowered countertops, and color contrasting appliances.
Maricar Marquez: [Signing in ASL] This really is a great experience using different tactile techniques and modifications. So it’s really great to get the DeafBlind perspective that they can be bakers, they can do things like this.
Newscaster: The class was taught by Sam Silverman, owner of BagelUp. What an experience.
[End of Transcript]
Celebrating a Grand Reopening
On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) celebrated the grand reopening of our newly renovated Independent Living kitchen with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a delightful NY bagel-making event. This new facility is a crucial component of HKNC’s Comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Program (CVRP), the only program of its kind in the United States dedicated to supporting DeafBlind individuals.
A Kitchen Designed for Independence
The renovated kitchen boasts four separate stations, each fully adapted with accessibility features to meet the unique needs of DeafBlind participants. These stations are equipped with working stoves, ovens, microwaves, and all the essential tools found in a typical kitchen. This thoughtful design allows participants to learn and practice essential cooking skills in a safe and supportive environment. The new facility will play a crucial role in helping participants gain confidence and proficiency in cooking and kitchen management – essential skills for independent living.
Bagel-Making: A Hands-On Celebration
To commemorate this special occasion, HKNC welcomed Sam “the Bagel Guy” Silverman, a renowned bagel connoisseur and owner of BagelUp. Silverman, alongside his award-winning bagel baking partner, Reva Castillenti, led an engaging bagel-making workshop, where DeafBlind participants, who come from across the country, had the opportunity to create authentic New York bagels from scratch. The event was a hands-on and tactile learning experience for the participants, who eagerly dove into every step of the bagel-making process. They learned how to make the dough, cut and roll the bagels, boil them, add seasonings, and finally, bake them to perfection. Silverman also shared the rich history of bagels, adding a cultural dimension to the culinary lesson. Once the bagels were ready, everyone savored the fruits of their labor, enjoying the fresh, homemade treats paired with their favorite cream cheeses.
HKNC’s Comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Program
This bagel-making activity exemplifies the practical, real-world skills that participants develop through HKNC’s Independent Living program. The program is an integral part of the center’s Comprehensive Vocational Rehabilitation Program (CVRP), which takes a person-centered approach to training across various domains, including assistive and adaptive technologies, vocational services, orientation and mobility, communication, and independent living skills. HKNC’s CVRP is designed for DeafBlind individuals seeking to enhance their skills and achieve personal and professional goals.
The grand reopening of the Independent Living kitchen serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of accessibility and inclusion. The newly renovated kitchen at HKNC will continue to be a space where DeafBlind individuals can explore, learn, and grow, preparing them for a more independent and fulfilling life.
