QCH'S MIDDLE SCHOOL MULTI-SPORT TOURNAMENT

Queens Community House’s middle school programs were on full display on April 8 as students from across our sites came together for a high-energy, multi-sport tournament at MS 217Q.



Participants from Queens Collegiate (QC), Queens College School for Math, Science, & Technology (QCMST), MS 157Q, MS 217Q, and MS 358Q showcased their skills in soccer, basketball, and volleyball—bringing enthusiasm, determination, and school pride to every game. The day also featured an exciting 3-point shooting contest, where each school selected its top shooter to compete for bragging rights and the title of the tournament’s own "Stephen Curry".

The event was a full celebration of school spirit and community. MS 358Q students energized the crowd with their cheerleading squad, while MS 217Q’s dance team delivered a standout halftime performance that kept the excitement going.

While the final scores highlighted strong performances across the board, the true success of the day was reflected in the sportsmanship and camaraderie among students. Throughout the tournament, participants encouraged one another, formed new connections, and embraced the values of teamwork and positive competition.



Events like this tournament exemplify how QCH Youth Services programs create spaces where young people can thrive—building confidence, strengthening relationships, and experiencing the joy of healthy competition.

JACKSON HEIGHTS SPRING WELLNESS FAIR

On a rainy Saturday in Jackson Heights, nearly 300 community members gathered for a day of connection, movement, and joy at QCH's Spring Wellness Fair—proving that not even the weather could dampen the spirit of this vibrant neighborhood.

The event was proudly led by QCH’s Jackson Heights programs, including the Beacon Community Center at PS 149Q, Queens Center for Gay Seniors, and The SEVEN Family Enrichment Center. Together, these programs created a welcoming, intergenerational space where neighbors of all ages could come together to focus on health, wellness, and community.

Participants enjoyed a wide range of activities—from chair yoga and dancing to games like Jenga and plinko—alongside relaxing offerings like hand massages and face painting for younger attendees. The event also served as a hub for vital resources, with community partners on hand to share information and support services that promote well-being at every stage of life.



The day reflected the strength and connectedness of the Jackson Heights community, and the power of QCH’s neighborhood-based programs to bring people together in meaningful ways.

We are deeply grateful to our community partners and to everyone who came out and made the day such a success.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR:

JIM DRINANE, QCH'S FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

"To understand how I first got connected to the Community House, you have to know what was happening in Forest Hills at the time. The development it was built to serve was at the center of a major conflict that drew national attention. There was a lot of tension, much of it framed around opposition to public housing in what had largely been a Jewish neighborhood.

I was introduced to the project through a former supervisor from Columbia School of Social Work who was working with the American Jewish Committee. They were trying to help the community to move forward, and the Community House was to be a bridge to bring people together.

I became the first Executive Director in 1975, just as NYC was facing a fiscal crisis. Much of the funding we expected disappeared, and we opened with a small staff and a very limited budget.

Still, there was a strong sense of purpose. We wanted the Community House to be a place where everyone felt welcome — families from the development and neighbors from nearby blocks. We focused on programs for kids, supporting families, and helping to stabilize a neighborhood that was going through change.

We opened a childcare center, ran afterschool programs, and worked with residents to organize around housing issues as landlords had begun to disinvest. A senior center operated by Selfhelp Community Services also opened in the building alongside us, creating a space for all generations.

What I remember most is the relationships formed between residents, staff, and community leaders. Even some who had initially opposed the development became part of the effort to make it succeed.

The early years were not easy. Our biggest challenge was staying afloat. But it was also an exciting time. We were building something from the ground up.

After 3 years, I moved to the New York City Housing Authority, where I spent the next 20+ years but stayed connected and hopefully helpful to the Community House in its early growth.

Looking at it today, I'm struck by the Community House's expansion. We were just trying to build something that could last. Seeing what it's become is remarkable.

Even now, I keep a plaque from those early days above my desk. It reminds me of what we started and how far it has come."

—Jim Drinane

And that’s a wrap! 🎬

As our 50 for 50 series comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the people who make QCH what it is—staff, volunteers, participants, and neighbors showing up every day with dedication, resilience, and care.

These stories represent just a fraction of the impact that’s been shaping our communities for the past 50 years.

Thank you to everyone who shared, supported, and followed along.

If you’d like to revisit the 50 for 50 features, you can find them on our website by clicking here.