QCH CELEBRATES 50 YEARS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Queens Community House (QCH) marked its 50th anniversary with a major community celebration at its Forest Hills Community Center — the very site where QCH first opened its doors in 1975. 🎉

The celebration welcomed hundreds of attendees, including program participants, alumni, staff, families, and neighborhood residents. The Center was transformed into a museum-style walk-through experience, with decade-themed rooms that showcased key moments, programs, and milestones from QCH’s 50-year history. Guests explored archival photos, stories, and artifacts that brought QCH’s evolution and its borough-wide impact to life.

Festivities also included dancing, multigenerational activities such as face painting and ping pong, opportunities for longtime staff and participants to reconnect, and a pop-up QCH swag station. The event captured the spirit of community, connection, and care that has defined QCH for five decades.

“We were thrilled to celebrate 50 years right where it all began,” said Ben Thomases, QCH Chief Executive Officer. “This anniversary is about our history, as well as the thousands of individuals and families who have shaped QCH and continue to make our mission possible.”

PASSPORT TO LEARNING AT QUEENS COLLEGIATE

Families at Queens Collegiate recently embarked on an “All Around the World” adventure during our Family Literacy event. Part of QCH’s afterschool programming for middle school youth, the event highlighted the enrichment and cultural learning that anchor our 6–8 grade programs.

Students and their families explored traditions from China, Mexico, France, and Kenya through hands-on activities including lantern-making, drumming, maraca crafting, and building mini Eiffel Towers. Families also visited our free book store, where every child selected new books to take home and continue their learning journey. 📚

QCH’s afterschool programs help middle schoolers build confidence, express themselves creatively, and develop new skills through a mix of literacy, STEM, leadership development, recreation, and cultural enrichment.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR:

JENNY NUÑEZ

A single mom doing it all — until she found a community that refused to let her struggle alone. ❤️

This is Jenny’s story, and how QCH’s afterschool, housing, and food pantry support — all under one roof — helped her family find stability and hope.

We are excited to share this video with our entire community.

Click here to watch Jenny’s journey and the impact you help make possible.