Community Matters: QCH Provides Young Adults with Career Readiness and Exploration Opportunities

QCH Provides Young Adults with Career Readiness and Exploration Opportunities

Through our 5 alternative high school Learning to Work programs, QCH offers young adults academic and emotional support, counseling, career/college exploration and preparation, and paid internships that help students earn an income, gain professional experience, and test out potential career interests.

As part of our ongoing commitment to helping older youth who have struggled in traditional high schools to attain high school diplomas and go on to succeed in college and employment, QCH hosted several events this month for our students focused on career awareness, exploration and preparation.

Volunteers from Estee Lauder's community social impact team came to our Voyages Preparatory HS for one-on-one mock interviews, a resume review session, and a networking lunch. The students got to test out and build on their social skills, while our friends from Estee Lauder provided great feedback and career advice.

At our Voyages South College and Career Expo, alumni shared valuable information with our students about options available to them after graduating.

QCH Access for Young Women and Con Edison to Host STEM Career Panel This Week

On March 30 from 5pm-7pm, QCH Access for Young Women (AFYW) will be partnering with Con Edison to host their 7th annual STEM Career Panel for young women ages 10 and up. During the panel, attendees will learn about various STEM careers from skilled female leaders from Con Edison. "Every year, AFYW looks for ways to help young women build meaningful pathways for opportunities in a variety of successful careers and leadership roles, from STEM careers to community services, from politics to arts," said QCH Executive Director Ben Thomases. "The program's panel with Con Edison is a great way to help young women from all backgrounds understand the opportunities they have to succeed as future leaders."

The event is public and will be held at the Forest Hills Community Center. All are welcome to attend!

Meet Your Neighbor: Delia Benaissa

March is Women's History Month, commemorating and encouraging the study, observance and celebration of the vital role and influence of women in America. For this special edition of our Meet Your Neighbor series, we spoke with Dalia Benaissa, Assistant Principal at QCH’s YABC at the High School for Arts and Business, who spoke about the importance of women in leadership.

"With it being Women's History Month, I have been thinking about what it means to be a woman in leadership. I am reminded of a statement that my mother used to tell me: "La madre es la profesora del hogar y la profersora es la madre de la escuela" ("The mother is the teacher of the home and the teacher is the mother at school"). My mother said that as women are predominantly seen as nurturers in most societies, a woman in leadership does wonders. We are capable of helping others grow, providing guidance, responding to their needs, and offering support; that is how I see my role as a woman in leadership with my team of educators, counselors, and DOE staff.

When you are in a position to help others, you should do so, and that is why I stepped into the leadership role as Assistant Principal of YABC at the High School for Arts and Business. I am grateful to be in a position where I can employ my knowledge and skills and amplify the skills of other educators to make a positive difference in the quality of education that students receive. I am also happy to be on this journey in partnership with QCH's LTW program to help prepare our students for their post-secondary endeavors."

Children and Older Adults Decorate Ballot Boxes for Participatory Budgeting Vote Week

We love to see neighbors of all ages playing a part in getting out the vote! This week is Participatory Budgeting Vote Week, an opportunity for Queens neighbors to vote toward funding capital improvements to schools, parks, libraries, streets, and more. On March 24, our Intergen program at QCH Beacon Community Center at PS149 gathered children, adults, and older adults for some fun ballot box making to be used this week in voting conducted in Councilmember Shekar Krishnan's district (District 25). Participatory Budgeting Vote Week ends April 2. Visit vote.pbnyc.org for more information.

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