November 2017
ACTION OF THE MONTH:
#GiveToQueens on #GivingTuesday!     
November 28th is Giving Tuesday, a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.

Donate to QCH on or before 11/28 to #GiveToQueens! Please list "Giving Tuesday" in the comments.


Contact sflores@qchnyc.org for more information.
Our October was filled with festivities!
QCH's annual Strengthening Neighborhoods Inspiring Change Gala, held on October 25, was a huge success. This year's gala honored John Albert, Bolton-St. John's; John Dimino, M&T Bank; and the Queens Museum.

The program was co-hosted by one of our participants, Anjelica Morell, who is finishing her last semester at LaGuardia Community College thanks to the guidance of our staff. More than 20 participants from our ESOL, Senior Centers, Immigration Services, and Youth Employment programs attended, donning pins that invited guests to "Ask me about my QCH experience." Our Immigration Support Services was highlighted in a special video that featured the stories of 2 families helped through the program. CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO!    In total, thanks to the support of M&T Bank, Lamb Financial, and more than 200 individuals and businesses, we raised $175,000 for our 45 programs that serve over 20,000 Queens residents every year. Thank You!
How many after school participants does it take to make a human light bulb? One hundred and eighty eight, to be exact! On October 26, our P.S. 117 participants took to the playground to make a giant human light bulb to celebrate Lights On After School Day and to bring attention to the importance of funding for after school programming. Lights On Afterschool is a project of the Afterschool Alliance, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children have access to quality, affordable afterschool programs. 
   On October 4, Nadine Malouf, star of Amir Nizar Zuabi's Oh My Sweet Land, brought tears to the eyes of participants, staff and community members inside the tiny kitchen of our Forest Hills Community Center. Produced by The Theater Company in kitchens across NYC, the play tells the story of a woman of Syrian-German descent whose search for a lost lover takes her from a sheltered life in Paris to the refugee camps of Syria. Following the performance, the audience participated in a guided conversation where they shared reactions to the play and recounted their own stories of love and loss.
More than 150 participants at our Rego Park Senior Center celebrated the beginning of the Harvest Season with a unforgettable Moon Festival. Activities included cultural performances, a tai chi fan demonstration, dancing, raffles, health and community information tables, light breakfast, and lunch.
Our Youth Employment Services staff has new digs! The brand new office space is located on the busy Austin Street commercial strip in Forest Hills and is easily accessible to public transportation. With five robust programs to manage, Director Sean Reyes is thrilled. "The additional space allows us to provide on-site training and workshops for our participants, as well as support services for local businesses." Programs located in this new site are Queens Connect; Summer Youth Employment; Work, Learn & Grow; Intergenerational Chore and Errand Program; and the NDA Opportunity Youth Program.