INTERGENERATIONAL THROUGH PHOTOGRAPHY

This summer, our LGBTQ teen program Generation Q partnered with nonprofit Josephine Herrick Project (JHP) to provide youth in Queens with a unique experience encompassing photography, self-expression, advocacy, and intergenerational activities all in one. JHP provided hands-on teaching to help the youth develop their artistry in photography, and they were able to put their skills to the test in different locations around the borough Queens using JHP's high-quality professional equipment. On August 3, the youth participated in an intergenerational discussion with the members of QCH's Queens Center for Gay Seniors (QCGS). Our younger and older adults were able to find commonalities in their life experiences and talk about the importance of self-expression. To cap off the day, the Generation Q youth were able to share their newfound knowledge of photography with QCGS participants by taking their portraits. The program culminated with an exhibit at the Center at Maple Grove Cemetery, and many QCGS members attended to support their new friends.

ALVIN AILEY AT THE POMONOK OLDER ADULT CENTER

"Older adults should avoid exercise so they don't get injured." "Older adults can't learn new things."

Visit any of our older adult centers and you'll quickly see that those myths are far from the truth. Our participants come to our centers to keep physically active, learn new skills, and explore new interests. On August 1, we partnered with the iconic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to host the AileyDance for Active Aging Workshop at the QCH Pomonok Older Adult Center. Pomonok residents learned new dance movements from professional dancers, and they also impressed the teachers with their own dance moves! We loved seeing so many older adults, whether standing or seated due to mobility concerns, who were so active and enthusiastic about participating and learning exciting dances led by Alvin Ailey's talented team.

QCH AT THE US OPEN IN FLUSHING

In the classrooms of our Forest Hills Community Center, QCH offers free ESOL classes to adult immigrants where they learn English as well as useful information for their roles as parents, workers, job seekers, and future voters. Outside of the classrooms, the work of our Adult Education staff continues as they coordinate activities and events that encourage the students to engage in new experiences with their peers. This month, we welcomed our new ESOL students to the program by taking them on a trip to the US Open. Our students were able to see the greatest tennis players worldwide play (some representing the same countries they're from), walk the grounds of the legendary Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and have a fun time with their classmates. They couldn’t stop smiling, knowing they were at one of the biggest sporting events in the world. As part of our Adult Education staff's commitment to helping immigrants experience Queens and all it offers, it doesn't get much better than the US Open.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: DANIEL DOMINGUEZ

QCH is committed to providing intergenerational programs and activities that strengthen communities in Queens. For this special edition of our Meet Your Neighbor series, we highlight Daniel Dominguez, a QCH volunteer at our Beacon Community Center at PS 149Q.

"I was born and raised in Jackson Heights for 11 years before I had to move out. Since then, I'd been longing for an opportunity to come back home. Then I came across QCH's Beacon Community Center at PS 149Q. Volunteering for QCH's e-basics tech support class for older adults has given me a chance to come back to my old home while also giving back to the neighborhood that welcomed me with open arms. It felt natural for me to return. Not only do I feel at home, but being here makes me feel good about the Jackson Heights community, to see it has not changed one bit. No matter the distance, I’ll always come back to make an impact on the community I love and know so much, one person at a time."

Queens Community House provides individuals and families with the tools to enrich their lives and build healthy, inclusive communities.