PLANTING SEEDS OF COMMUNITY

Students from our afterschool program at PS 201Q recently visited the Pomonok Community Center for a hands-on experience centered around gardening, culinary arts, and healthy living.

As neighboring institutions serving the Pomonok community, the collaboration gave students an opportunity to explore new skills and interests while connecting with QCH staff and community members at the Center. Through cooking activities, students learned how to prepare healthy meals and gained a greater understanding of nutrition and wellness.

Participants also got their hands dirty in the garden, planting flowers, greenery, fruits, and vegetables while learning about agriculture and sustainability. Students helped transplant seedlings into garden beds, water plants, weed garden areas, and maintain the growing spaces. Along the way, they learned how different plants can be used for food and even medicinal purposes.

By learning from staff and community members and sharing in the responsibility of caring for the garden, students gained a deeper appreciation for the people and spaces that help their neighborhood thrive.

LINDA LEE INSPIRES YOUNG WOMEN

Nearly 200 young women, families, and neighbors gathered at our Forest Hills Community Center on May 2 for our 27th Annual Youth Leadership Conference, designed and facilitated by participants in our Access For Young Women (AFYW) program.

This year, we were honored to welcome New York City Council Finance Chair Linda Lee as our keynote speaker. Before serving in one of the most influential leadership roles in city government, Council Member Lee was also President & CEO of Korean Community Services, a fellow Queens settlement house.

Lee spoke candidly about growing up as the child of immigrants and often serving as a bridge between her family and the broader community—a role that resonated deeply with many AFYW participants. What began as a desire to help others led her to a career in social work, then to leading a major community-based organization, and ultimately to public service, where she now helps shape decisions that impact millions of New Yorkers.

Encouraging participants to recognize the value of their own experiences, Lee shared, "There are so many people that need a voice that don't have one… I wanted to be that voice for them and do the best that I can." She reminded the young women that leadership can take many forms, but that "having a seat at the table matters."

Throughout the day, AFYW participants led workshops on topics including mental health, AI and beauty standards, healthy relationships, workplace rights, and social justice. The conference also featured live performances — including dance and opera singing — showcasing the creativity and confidence of the young women who helped bring the event to life.



The conference reflected the heart of our AFYW program: creating spaces where young women can build confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, and recognize the power of their voices and experiences.

MEET YOUR NEIGHBOR:

SHABANA KHAN

"When I first walked into a QCH event in November 2023, I had no idea it would lead me to such a meaningful community. A friend invited me to a volunteer appreciation dinner at the Kew Gardens Community Center, and through that experience, I met staff members who introduced me to volunteer opportunities across QCH.

I started by helping at the Queens Center for Gay Seniors during holiday events and birthday celebrations, serving meals and spending time with older adults. Over time, I became involved with programs across different QCH sites, including Neighbors in Action and eBasics at Beacon 149, where I help older adults with technology.

What keeps me volunteering is the sense of community. QCH brings together people from so many different cultures and backgrounds, and everyone is welcomed for who they are. I’ve built meaningful connections with both older adults and young people, and I’ve learned so much from them along the way— not only did I learn the vast diversity of my community, but also how to unite, embrace and practice inclusion throughout all different cultures and breaking through superficial barriers.

One of my favorite memories is learning how to play Rummikub from older adults at the Queens Center for Gay Seniors. Now it’s one of my favorite games, and I always look forward to playing with them.

Before volunteering with QCH, I was going through personal struggles in life and had stepped away from work for a time. Volunteering helped me stay motivated, gain confidence, and grow as a person. I learned leadership skills, how to take initiative, and how to better support others.

What motivates me to continue volunteering is the kindness and appreciation I feel here. QCH became more than a place to volunteer — it became a community where I truly feel I belong."

—Shabana Khan