Working Dignity

Photograph by Rob Klein

Since 1917, the International Center for the Disabled, in New York, has been helping people improve their lives and find jobs.

The charity, which is the nation’s oldest outpatient rehabilitation center, offers a comprehensive array of services for disabled people, including physical therapy, primary health care, job training and placement, and educational programs.

The center got its start as the School of Another Chance. It was founded by Jeremiah Milbank, a financier and philanthropist who was moved to start it after seeing disabled veterans of World War I languishing on the streets of New York. Now the organization primarily serves people on Medicaid, many of whom suffer physical and emotional disabilities, and some of whom are also fighting drug and alcohol addiction.

The Milbank family remains active in the organization. Four members — the founder’s son and daughter and two grandsons — serve on the charity’s Board of Trustees.

Among those the organization has helped are Anthony Mitchell and Dwight Hughes, both shown here. The men received job training at the center and are now employed as janitors at the Chelsea Piers Sports Center.