Youth Programs
Trying to figure out what’s next? HKNC’s summer programs for young adults ages 16-23 can give you new insights into college and career options.
Overview
We offer five different youth programs at our headquarters in Sands Point, New York. Choose the one that’s right for you and get ready for an incredible summer.
You have a lot of big decisions ahead. Take control of your future at HKNC.
SYVP (Summer Youth Vocational Program)
Session I: June 2, 2025 – June 27, 2025 (Application deadline: April 4, 2025)
Session II: July 14, 2025 – August 8, 2025 (Application Deadline: May 9, 2025)
Are you looking for your first job or to try a new job? Are you looking to make some money this summer? Then SYVP is the program for you! HKNC’s Summer Youth Vocational Program (SYVP) will prepare you for employment and give you the confidence for starting life after high school. You can try out jobs based on your interests, talents, abilities and aspirations at several work sites.
At SYVP you will:
- Work at a job you like and get paid for it
- Take worksite tours and meet hiring managers
- Create your work portfolio and resume, and participate in practice interviews
- Understand your personal interests and strengths
- Learn from DeafBlind leaders how they applied advocacy to achieve success in college and their careers
- Develop work readiness skills including personal care, managing meals, budgeting, travel and telecommunications
- Develop an action plan to meet your goals!
Come to NY and join your peers ages 16-24 from around the country to learn skills that lead to employment success, and to experience what NY can offer you. Enjoy a boat ride, treasure hunt, talent show, swimming, crafts, Dave & Buster’s, mall shopping, bowling, BBQ’s and NYC! It will be 4 memorable weeks over your summer!
Contact your Regional Representative to find out how you can apply.
M~POWER (My Pursuit of Work, Empowerment & Resources)
Applications for Summer 2025 August 11, 2025 – August 15, 2025
(Application deadline: June 13, 2025)
Come and join the new “I Love NY” M-Power program to meet new friends, visit NYC and tour well-known businesses to learn about their jobs. Are you starting to wonder what life will be like after you finish HS? This is the program for you to hear the stories from leaders in the DB community about how they became successful and to make connections with new friends. Bring your hopes and dreams to explore with M-Power!
You will learn how to search for a job, what skills a person needs on the job, what types of job you might like, how to apply for college and how to advocate for yourself on the job or in college.
HOW FAR CAN YOU GO? IGNITE YOUR FUTURE!!
How Far Can You Go? Ignite Your Future!
Are you ready?
- To learn the skills you’ll need, to work with peers on special projects
- To visit participants who are living in their own apartments
- To plan a meal together with peers and food shop, cook and eat
- To visit Madison Square Garden to learn about the jobs they offer
- To meet a dog guide
- To learn about technology for a job or college
- To visit participants working at different jobs
Are you set?
- To make plans for your career & life after high school
- To learn about mobility and communication on the job or for college
- To learn about volunteer and work opportunities
- To explore your job interests
- To visit colleges and learn about accommodations that are right for you
- To learn how to make your own choices and wishes known
Come to NY and join your peers ages 16-24 from around the country for a fun-filled, action-packed two-week program. Enjoy a boat ride, field day, a talent show, crafts, Dave & Buster’s, mall shopping, bowling, picnics and NYC!!
Contact your Regional Representative to find out how you can apply.
College Bound Program: A structured college prep program
July 7- July 11, 2025 (Application deadline is May 2, 2025)
The HKNC College Bound Program is an immersive program targeted on preparing youth for college. There is a focus on the apartment and dormitory experience, the skills for independent living, orientation & mobility, classroom accommodations, internship accommodations and work-study exploration.
Learn how to:
- Prepare for college
- Work with the college accessibility office
- Manage classes and college life
- Enhance college skills related to budgeting, accessing Google docs, formatting and saving papers, web browsing strategies
- Work on actual college applications
- Protect your personal identity
- Manage social media
- Optimize your classroom experience
- Request interpreting supports
- Develop self-advocacy
- Be prepared for emergencies
Learn about: available transportation options, find how to navigate your college campus, alerting devices/systems, simple cooking, organizational systems, labelling techniques, safe travel techniques, general safety, interviewing skills, time management, on-line food shopping and using customer service, accessing blackboard and canvas, internet safety, and e-books.
The program is tailored to meet your needs and covers 23 important college skills! Learn in group classes with HS and college peers and in one-on-one classes.
This program can also be tailored to one-week or two-weeks during school breaks such as fall, winter, and spring and at other times that match your schedule.
Admission will be on a first come/first served basis. Request an application from your Regional Representative or Dora Carney (Admissions Coordinator) at dcarney@helenkeller.org to find out how you can apply.
Braille Camp at HKNC
Do you need to brush up on your braille skills? Do you want to meet new people and have fun together doing it?
Then the HKNC Braille Camp is for you!
The program is offered from July 28- August 1, 2025. The application deadline is May 23, 2025.
The braille camp is a week-long, fun-filled and interactive learning experience designed for those who want to enhance and improve their braille skills. Leaders in the DeafBlind community, HKNC staff and current and former participants will lead the reciprocal learning experience for the week. You set your goals of what you would like to learn and HKNC will help you to work towards achieving them.
Enjoy staying in the residence and enjoying hearty meals and snacks. At night, join all the participants in fun recreation activities and of course, visit NYC!
Braille Retreat at HKNC
Do you need to brush up on your braille skills to be more effective and efficient at work and in your life? Do you want to meet new people and have fun together doing it? Then the HKNC Braille Retreat is for you! The program is offered from July 28- August 1, 2025. The application deadline is May 23, 2025.
The braille retreat is a week-long, fun-filled and interactive learning experience designed for those who want to enhance and improve their braille skills. Leaders in the DeafBlind community, HKNC staff and current and former participants will lead the reciprocal learning experience for the week. You set your goals of what you would like to learn and HKNC will help you to work towards achieving them.
Enjoy staying in the residence and enjoying hearty meals and snacks. At night, join all the participants in fun recreation activities and of course, visit NYC!
Summer Assessment
This summer, empower yourself with knowledge, skills and tools to determine your own future.
Come join us at HKNC this summer! Are you 16 years of age or older? Currently attending high school? Would you like to participate in career exploration or in identifying your next steps to college? Interested in meeting and socializing with others who are DeafBlind? Interested in working and learning together with peers? Interested in actual hands-on time with the latest advances in technology for gaining access to information and connecting to others?
The Summer Assessment Program will provide you with opportunities to gain knowledge and experience in the following areas:
- Career and Job Exploration
- Worksite Tours
- Workplace Readiness Skills
- College and Accommodations
- Adaptive Technology and Communication
- Self-advocacy – Facilitating IEP
- Orientation & Mobility
- Low Vision and Audiology
- Peer Learning Groups
You can choose to join group classes such as Emergency Preparedness, ASL, physical fitness, and 3D printing. HKNC offers you a friendly, fun, and unique learning environment. Come learn what Vocational Rehabilitation is all about and what options exist for achieving your definition of success!
Come join your peers ages 16-24 from around the country to identify goals and develop an action plan for your last years of High School. Prepare for college, a trade school or work. Experience NY with your peers during a fun-filled, action-packed program. Enjoy a boat ride, talent show, crafts, swimming, Dave & Buster’s, mall shopping, bowling, BBQ’s and NYC!
Assessments are offered for four, six & eight weeks in June, July and August 2025
Contact your Regional Representative to find out how you can apply.
Admissions
Programs are open to individuals who are DeafBlind as defined in the Helen Keller Act. Government funding often is available. Applications for summer programs must be received by the last Friday in June. Your regional representative can answer questions about admission requirements, transportation, funding sources and more.