WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP INSPIRE YOUTH

Across various fields, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles due to factors like discriminatory practices and unequal access to resources. This lack of diverse role models can discourage young women from pursuing leadership aspirations. Our Access For Young Women (AFYW) program addresses this by fostering leadership skills and broadening opportunities for young women in Queens. In addition to a curriculum that includes training in public speaking, problem solving, and critical thinking, the program connects them with inspiring female leaders in various fields, demonstrating the potential for future leadership across diverse careers.

In February, our community engagement staff held three sessions to help AFYW participants explore leadership opportunities in civic engagement and advocacy. During the sessions, the young women got to meet and learn from Ivelisse Gilestra and Sara Blazevic, two community organizers working with Metro IAF, chapter of the nation's longest-standing grassroots organizing institution. The young women identified issues they are passionate about, including body autonomy, public transportation safety, and homelessness, and strategized how to address those issues as community organizers.

On February 21, Goldman Sachs invited 20 AFYW participants for a day of panels, workshops, and networking opportunities specially curated for them. The event focused on career exploration, work-life balance, and the importance of perseverance as women in a male-dominated industry. The young women met with a panel of junior-level professionals who discussed navigating early careers, as well as a panel of high-level executives, including Vanessa Resnick, Goldman Sachs Partner and QCH Board Member.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN POMONOK

In honor of Black History Month, Black community leaders in Pomonok were recognized and celebrated during a special brunch at the Pomonok Community Center on February 24. Hundreds of Queens neighbors joined to highlight the impact of Black leaders who have contributed to Pomonok's growth. “The essence of what makes Pomonok such a wonderful community is the community itself, so it was great to see individuals and families in the neighborhood gather to celebrate the local trailblazers,” said Zani Simmons, QCH Director of Community Engagement.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR: LUIS PINERO

For homebound older adults eligible for home-delivered meals, we offer the options of hot and nutritious meals prepared by QCH’s older adult centers or meals meeting cultural needs such as Kosher and/or Asian. In this special edition of our Meet Your Neighbor series, hear from Luis Pinero, a recipient of our home-delivered meals.

“I’m 82 years old. I don’t like to step out of my home anymore. I love how QCH supports me. For about a year and a half, I’ve been receiving home-delivered meals from them. Might be shocking since I’m Puerto Rican, but I actually don’t like pork. I get excited when they bring me the meals with fresh fish. It’s great knowing each week that I’ll be set with meals thanks to QCH’s team. They are always on time with their delivery. I even got a visit from Executive Director Ben Thomases with the QCH staff in February. Everyone I’ve met from QCH is really nice. I would definitely recommend their home-delivered meals service to other peers in the neighborhood, but like I said, I don’t leave my house anymore. It's one of the reasons I love getting the home-delivered meals.”

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