Community Matters: Teens and Older Adults Compete in Intergenerational Table Tennis Competition

Teens and Older Adults Compete in Intergenerational Table Tennis Competition

As part of QCH's ongoing commitment to building intergenerational relationships within the Queens community, we hosted our first-ever intergenerational table tennis competition at the Forest Hills Community Center on February 22. Among the participants were older adults from our Forest Hills Older Adult Center and teens from QCH's Voyages Preparatory High School, who won the PSAL Multiple Pathways Co-Ed Table Tennis Championship last year. The teens and older adults had a great time competing and building connections through their shared love for table tennis.

“It was so refreshing to see different generations engage with each other through mutually enjoyed activities,” one older adult said.

The teens were so satisfied with how the event went that many of them were already asking about future competitions. “We always look to create more opportunities for the youth and older adults to connect and have fun, so we're happy that our first-ever table tennis competition was such a success," said Fleance Mason, QCH Director of Teen Outreach.

QCH Beacon Community Center at PS 149 Celebrates Lunar New Year and Black History Month Through Art

Our Beacon Community Center at PS 149 offers a balanced mix of high-quality educational, recreational, and cultural activities to students. In February, they celebrated the Lunar New Year and Black History Month through art.

On February 3, queens neighbors of all ages gathered in Jackson Heights for great musical performances and fun art activities to celebrate the Lunar New Year. Congressmember Grace Meng stopped by to speak with members of the community and expressed her appreciation for QCH’s programs and services across the borough. “So many neighborhoods in Queens really rely on QCH and the great work they do in taking care of so many people, from youth to older adults,” said Meng.

On February 17, QCH Beacon's intergenerational arts and crafts club partnered with Queens Public Library to highlight Black History Month. Young people and older adults worked together on poetry and journaling in booklets gifted by the Queens Public Library of Jackson Heights and Langston Hughes Library.

Meet Your Neighbor: Rita Morales

February 6-10 was National School Counseling Week, a time to highlight the incredible impact school counselors have on the youth. For this special edition of our Meet Your Neighbor series, meet Rita, Education Specialist at QCH’s LTW at Queens Satellite High School For Opportunity.

"When I was in high school, there was a program that focused on helping students prepare for college, and I loved the counselor there. She provided me with so many helpful resources, from SAT prep courses to access to more books, but most importantly, she was one of the voices in my life that really encouraged me to pursue college. Her guidance is what led to my interest in becoming a school counselor myself, so that I could help any youth in the same position that I was in before.

Being a part of QCH's LTW at Queens Satellite HS for Opportunity, I notice that many of the youth feel more relaxed and willing to be open with us, and I think it's because we build emotional connections with them over time and they see we aren't solely focused on their academics. It reminds me of the meaningful relationship I had with my counselor when I was a high school student."

QCH Starts Family Fun Salsa Class at Forest Hills Community Center

As you may know, we offer an array of activities that promote good mental and physical health for our neighbors. On February 6, we started our Family Fun Salsa Class at the Forest Hills Community Center (108-25 62nd Drive). Individuals of all ages have been gathering at the Center with their families to dance, exercise, enjoy music, and interact with their neighbors. All Queens residents are welcome to stop by the Center for our fun and high-energy dance class on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm. Join us!

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