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<DIV> Greetings to all!</DIV>
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opportunities to raise expectations to transform dreams into reality as we
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<DIV>Joe </DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">We
care. We
share. We grow. We make a difference<BR>Joe Ruffalo, President <BR>National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey <BR>973 743
0075<BR>nfbnj1@verizon.net<BR><A
href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Raising
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old
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<DIV style="font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A
title=Pamela.Gaston@dhs.nj.gov
href="mailto:Pamela.Gaston@dhs.nj.gov">Pamela Gaston</A> </DIV>
<DIV><B>Subject:</B> #CBVIStrong2020 - Who Was Joseph
Kohn?</DIV></DIV></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></DIV>
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<H1
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left;
MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; break-after: avoid"
align=left><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">Who Was Joseph Kohn?
</SPAN></H1>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 18pt">
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><B><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'>Joseph
Kohn </SPAN></B><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'>was
the Executive Director of the then NJ Commission for the Blind (and Visually
Impaired was not added until 1982) from 1964 to 1976. During his 12
year
tenure, his creativity and energetic hands-on approach to leadership more
than
doubled <SPAN style="BACKGROUND: white">the size and scope of the
Commission's
staff and service programs. Significant expansions occurred in many
areas
including social services and home teaching under the supervision of Helen
Gromann; the home industries and crafters' program under the supervision of
Dan
Sullivan; vocational rehabilitation, career development and the contract
workshop program under the supervision of Irv Kruger; the opening of the
George
Meyer Textbook and Materials Center; implementation of volunteer programs;
eye
health nursing, preschool and migrant eye screening programs under the
supervision of Esther Cully; and many more. </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BACKGROUND: white;
BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in;
PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt;
PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'></SPAN> </P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BACKGROUND: white;
BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in;
PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt;
PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'>Joe
Kohn was known for getting things done. </SPAN><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'>It
was not uncommon for him to unexpectedly accompany direct service staff on
visits to consumers. </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'></SPAN> </P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BACKGROUND: white;
BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in;
PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt;
PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'>He
also was not one to let bureaucracy keep him from achieving his goals,
especially when he wanted to do something that he believed would make life
better for consumers of Commission services. </SPAN><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'>A
real innovator with regard to services for people with visual impairments,
he
had, for many years, tried tirelessly to establish what he then called, “A
hub
center for training the blind”. He’d gotten as far as acquiring a building
in
Westfield, but, unfortunately, he became very ill and although he fought
hard to
move forward with his plans, he passed away before there was tangible
evidence
that his dream was to become a reality.</SPAN><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'>
</SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'> </SPAN><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'>After
many obstacles and setbacks, the groundbreaking ceremony for the training
center
took place on Thursday, June 12, 1986 and although it was a very rainy day,
it
was a bright and victorious day for the Commission. Approximately 2 years
later,
in 1988, the first students began receiving training at 130 Livingston
Avenue in
New Brunswick. </SPAN><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'> </SPAN><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'>The
Joseph Kohn Training Center from inception, was designed to give access to
opportunities for self-sufficiency and full community integration in a
facility
where CBVI consumers could <SPAN> </SPAN>receive instruction in an
environment that reinforces independence with dignity. </SPAN><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'> </SPAN><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; BORDER-TOP: windowtext 1pt; FONT-FAMILY:
"Arial",sans-serif; BORDER-RIGHT: windowtext 1pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext
1pt; COLOR: black; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; PADDING-TOP: 0in; PADDING-LEFT: 0in;
BORDER-LEFT: windowtext 1pt; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in'>Over
50 years ago, one man had a dream to build a center that would enable people
who
are blind, deaf-blind and visually impaired to believe in themselves and
their
abilities to achieve their goals. Since opening, over 1,500 people have come
to
the JKTC to acquire skills that empower them to proceed on their individual
journey towards success. </SPAN><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'></SPAN> </P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style='FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Arial",sans-serif; COLOR:
black'> <SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY:
arial,helvetica,sans-serif"><B><U>Attachments:</U></B></SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY:
arial,helvetica,sans-serif"></SPAN><BR> </P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal">Photo
of the front of the JKTC taken from the other side of Livingston Avenue; it
is a
brown brick 2 floor building with a tall flagpole on the left corner. There
are
two sets of stairs on the left and right and a ramp to gain entrance to the
front sliding glass doors to the lobby.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal">Photo
of a student at the Commission’s training center that was located on Broad
St.
in Newark (1977); he is working with a power saw cutting a piece of
wood.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal">Photo
of a group of business enterprise program students from the 1990s; they are
in
the café receiving instruction at a beverage vending machine. The group
includes
Will Robinson, who currently manages the JKTC cafeteria.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal">A
photo of the headshot portrait of Joseph Kohn which hangs in the Commission’s
board room; he’s a smiling white haired man, wearing glasses. (Joe Kohn was
not
blind or severely visually impaired)</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal">A
photo of one of CBVI’s first mobile eye screening units in front of Boonton
School; children are lined up to enter the door of the converted camper/RV
like
vehicle (1960s)</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal">A
1954 photo of an elderly female student wearing a full apron and chef’s hat
receiving hands-on, one to one cooking instruction from a female teacher.
They
are working on a pie crust; there are bowls, cups, ingredients and other
utensils on the counter where they are working.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal">A
1980s photo of a young woman, wearing a white blouse and starfish earrings
assembling pin back buttons at the Commission’s contract shop that was
located
on Frelinghuysen Ave. in Newark.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=x_MsoNormal
style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt; FONT-FAMILY: calibri,sans-serif; MARGIN: 0in 0in
8pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 107%"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;
LINE-HEIGHT: normal">A
recent photo of a CBVI crafters' sale table; there are sweatshirts with
peace
signs; Christmas stockings; crocheted blankets, ponchos and hats in a
variety of
colors; and other items handcrafted by CBVI consumers; there is a woman
behind
the table transacting a sale with a female customer </SPAN></P>
<P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN-TOP: 0px"></P></SPAN></DIV></DIV>
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