Queens Community House Steps Up As Eviction Moratorium Expires
On January 15, the statewide eviction moratorium expired, more than a year and a half after it was established to protect tenants impacted by the pandemic. To help prepare Queens families for the change, Queens Community House (QCH) partnered with community-based law office Communities Resist to host a Tenant’s Rights Workshop on Zoom. The workshop provided guidance and options now that the moratorium is no longer in place.
 
QCH has been providing housing and homelessness prevention services to families in areas hardest hit throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our housing team has been educating individuals and families on their rights as tenants, providing support navigating the City systems, connecting them to resources, and facilitating referrals,” said Marilyn Sotomayor, QCH Director of Housing and Family Services Programs. “The moratorium has been a safety net for many of our participants who are experiencing financial hardships. Now that the eviction moratorium has expired," she says, "our team will need to work harder than ever to help keep people in their homes.”
 
In the workshop, Communities Resist Staff Attorney Areeb Khan discussed rights and protections, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), and steps tenants should take when facing potential eviction. The workshop was translated for Spanish-speaking attendees.
 
“Through workshops like these, we are working to ensure our participants are up-to date with the most current information about housing court,” said Sharif Khan, QCH Assistant Program Director of Eviction Prevention Program. “We want to make sure our participants are well-prepared and know what to expect when they appear in court.”
Meet Your Neighbor Profile: Dieveuil, QCH Volunteer
Nonprofits like QCH rely on assistance from external resources to provide support to the communities we serve, and one of those key resources is volunteers. We are happy to showcase Dieveuil, a volunteer at our Pomonok Community Center food pantry. Dieveuil is just one of the hundreds of volunteers without whom we could not do our work.

"Volunteering has had such a valuable and positive affect on me. As a volunteer, I reap the satisfaction of becoming engaged in my community. There are many benefits from volunteering such as developing communication skills, learning teamwork, and solving problems. You can also develop your ability to adapt to new environments while building a professional network. Volunteering for the Pomonok Community Center food pantry helps me make a difference in the lives of my neighbors and it’s very rewarding. The pantry has a warm and welcoming staff who are easy to work with and team-oriented. I’m so thankful to volunteer alongside such a great team." —Dieveuil
QCH Voyages Prep HS Wins NYC Transfer School Division Table Tennis Championship

QCH's Voyages Preparatory High School defeated Lower East Side Preparatory High School to win their first ever PSAL Multiple Pathways Co-Ed Table Tennis Championship on February 2! “It feels amazing to win something for a school that has given so much to me," said student-athlete Matthew Ramos Aviles.
“I’m very proud of them," said team coach Christian Suarez. "They’ve grown tremendously from the beginning of the school year to now.”
QCH Coat Drive Giveaway Held for Queens Neighbors at the Pomonok Community Center

This month, QCH provided close to 100 Pomonok residents with coats during the Coat Drive Giveaway at the Pomonok Community Center. "The event was such a hit for our neighbors in need of coats to keep warm during the winter," said Zani Simmons, QCH Director of Community Engagement. "We are grateful for the generous donations from the Long Island Indo American Lions Club and George Ryan Middle School."
Queens Community House provides individuals and families with the tools to enrich their lives and build healthy, inclusive communities.