QCH’S MOST SUCCESSFUL GALA

Our Fall Gala is more than just an event; it's a celebration of community and a catalyst for positive change. This year's gala broke records, in terms of both attendance and money raised. The October 9 event at the Museum of the Moving Image raised almost $700,000 to support our services for individuals and families across the borough. During the event, we honored Rick Pitino (Head Coach of the St. John's University Men's Basketball Team) and Anthony Vero (General Manager of LaGuardia Airport), two extraordinary leaders who embody the spirit of Queens.

ALMA REYES RECEIVES CIVIC ADVOCACY AWARD

QCH is proud to be a part of the United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) network of settlement houses across New York City. During UNH's Annual Benefit and Celebration at City Vineyard, Alma Reyes, QCH Community Organizer (above left, with Assemblyperson Jessica González-Rojas), was the recipient of this year's Civic Advocacy Award. Over the last year and a half, QCH, as part of the Queens Power coalition, has been working on an affordable housing campaign titled "Public Land for Public Good". Alma has been a leader in this campaign, bringing to the forefront the struggle so many low to moderate income New Yorkers face in finding affordable housing. Not only did she help to mobilize hundreds of QCH participants and neighbors to rallies and actions, but she also put her personal story of struggling with housing affordability forward for the campaign. "I firmly believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for driving social change, and I wanted to leverage my own narrative to foster empathy and inspire action among policymakers and community members alike," said Reyes. After a campaign that included door-to-door canvassing, a rally of 1,200+ people at Creedmoor in Queens, and several protests outside of Governor Hochul’s Manhattan office, the State committed to building 2,800 affordable units (the State originally said their max was 1,000), including 1,633 units for home ownership. Alma played a pivotal role in this important shift in conversation around the vision for Creedmoor, and she continues to go above and beyond to make sure that our communities are heard.

YOUTHBUILD GETTING OUT THE VOTE

As a settlement house, advocacy is in QCH's DNA, as is ensuring everyone in our communities exercises their voice. This month, with the 2024 Election approaching, young adults of our YouthBuild Queens program were outside the Pomonok Community Center helping residents to register to vote before the October 23 deadline.

Election Day is November 5! If you're registered to vote, you can vote early in-person now until November 3. Click here to find your poll site and hours. Community voices matter.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: WILLIAM PORTER

At our six older adult centers across Queens, neighbors get to engage with peers, make new friends, enjoy a hot meal, keep physically active, learn new skills and explore new interests, and give back through volunteer opportunities. In this special edition of Meet Your Neighbor, hear from William Porter, a program participant at our Kew Gardens Community Center.

"After 46 years in the field of healthcare, I was being put out to pasture. I needed something to keep me out of mischief from 9am to about 3pm. I started to look up senior centers, and I found one near me: the Kew Gardens Community Center. The next morning, I was standing at the door before the Center opened. When a woman approached me, I introduced myself and said I was interested in being a part of the Center. She walked me in and asked if I could sit in her office while she made the morning coffee. I asked if I could go with her, 'sure', she said. I commented on her kitchen, and she asked if I would like a volunteer job making coffee in the morning. I agreed, saying that I like kitchens and doing things in them. That was the start of my journey here. Over the years, I have been involved in exercise classes, chorus class, and art classes, but what I enjoy the most has been entertaining people by singing and cooking for the various holidays and community celebrations.

I used to dance a lot at the Center. I'd ask almost every woman to dance. Then I got in a car accident while I was on my bike. I continue to dance, only now I dance from my chair. The Center has been my home and sanctuary for over 12 years. My health is starting to fail me but not my mind. I still recall all the wonderful events we had here all these years, all the people, friends and acquaintances I have known and laughed with." 

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