In 2025, Queens Community House (QCH) marked 50 years of impact and community building. That’s five decades of listening, learning, and growing alongside our neighbors. This year, we’ve been honoring that legacy by highlighting the people who embody the QCH spirit through our 50 for 50 series: neighbors, participants, staff, and supporters whose lives and leadership reflect what community looks like in action. Through decades of change, QCH has built innovative programs rooted in community needs, welcoming people across differences and strengthening the neighborhoods we call home. The individuals featured below remind us that our impact is, and has always been, about the people of Queens.

Here’s to 50 years of community, and many more ahead.

THE FAVORS FAMILY

"I first connected with QCH in the early 90s, not long after I moved to Forest Hills. I wasn’t looking for a full-time job. I just wanted to stay busy and be around people. A friend suggested I stop by the community center, and that visit turned into years of involvement.

I began working part-time as a Meals on Wheels driver. Every day, I delivered meals to older adults throughout the neighborhood, but the work was about much more than food. People looked forward to seeing a familiar face. They knew someone was checking on them, making sure they were okay. Sometimes, that presence mattered just as much as the meal. Meals on Wheels wasn’t just a service; it was a lifeline. We weren’t only delivering lunch; we were showing care."

GULLIVER ARIAS

"I grew up in the foster care system, moving from home to home while carrying a lot of trauma. School never felt safe. I often felt unheard and on my own. By the time I reached my teenage years, I knew I needed a fresh start—a place where I could breathe and rebuild.

That place was Voyages Prep, one of QCH’s transfer high schools. From the moment I arrived, it felt different. The staff asked real questions about how I was doing and what I needed. They wanted to understand me as a whole person. For the first time, I felt supported by adults who truly cared.

The entire environment at Voyages was built on encouragement, consistency, and understanding. Someone was always checking in or noticing when something felt off. Those small moments helped me release some of the weight I had been carrying for so long."

CONNIE VIEN

"I was there, you know, pretty much from the beginning, we knew it as SAGE in Queens. I guess you could say I was one of the first participants at what’s now known as the Queens Center for Gay Seniors, of QCH.

Back then, things were very different. It’s hard to describe to people today, but being gay, especially as you got older, it wasn’t easy. I remember, even when I joined the Pride Parade, I’d wear a big hat and sunglasses, not wanting to be recognized. It wasn’t always safe to be who you were.

That’s why having a place like the center was so important. We used to meet at St. Andrew’s Church in Astoria. The place wasn’t fancy, but it was ours. When we were there, the outside world just didn’t matter. We could finally be ourselves. It was more than just a place; it was a safe haven."

RAMON SILVERIO JR.

"I first walked into QCH around 1998, when I was a teenager growing up in Queens. A friend from my high school dance club told me there might be space at the Evening Teen Center for us to practice. We didn’t have anywhere else to go, so we asked if we could use a classroom. The staff welcomed us in, and before long we were practicing regularly, building something that grew bigger than any of us expected.

What started with just a handful of us quickly turned into a thriving community. At first, we had one night in the gym each week, then two, and eventually three. Word spread quickly—even before social media—and dancers from all over New York City began coming through. Over time, people started coming from across the country and overseas to be part of what we had built. The teen center became known as the hub for breaking and youth culture in Queens."

BLANCA IZAGUIRRE

"In 1975, my family of four could not afford a two-bedroom apartment on our income, so we were so excited when we received a letter stating that we were eligible to live in the Forest Hills Coop.

We were well aware of the controversy associated with the housing complex, as stories about the conflict were in the papers every day. And while we were apprehensive about moving, our need for housing was far greater than any concerns we had. On move-in day, we were met by protestors shouting 'WE DO NOT WANT YOU!' Some threw eggs and tomatoes at us. It was a scary experience, but as soon as we stepped into our apartment, we were just relieved to have a decent place to stay."

FARRUKH KHONKHODZHAEV

"I am originally from Tajikistan. When I arrived in the United States, I quickly realized how difficult life can be without strong English skills. Even though I had a solid academic background and experience working at a university, spoken English was almost impossible for me to understand. In everyday situations — at the store, on the bus, in simple daily interactions — I felt lost and unsure how to respond. One day, almost by chance, I discovered QCH, and I never imagined this place would become so important in my life.

From the very beginning, QCH became more than just a school. It was a second home where I could study English, meet people, make friends, and feel a sense of belonging. The classes were practical and motivating, and step by step I started to feel more confident speaking and listening."