Queens Community House

Join us on May 19 to learn about Ranked Choice Voting! Make sure your voice is heard!

Queens neighbors! Rob MacKay's Historic Houses of Queens explores our borough's most notable architecture, owners, surrounding neighborhoods, peculiarities, and even their fates as some vanished due to financial problems or fires. https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/Products/9781467106788

#PrideMonth Edition of #QCHMeetYourNeighbor: Connie, @queenscenter4gayseniors Program Participant I was having a birthday party at Bonnie and Clyde’s. Gladys was in the corner and smiled. She has a beautiful smile. I asked my friend Vicki ‘who’s that?’ She said ‘you don’t want to know her because she doesn’t speak English.’ I left it at that. I was more interested in my party. I wasn’t looking for a woman at that time. But also, Vicki had a thing for her and didn’t want Glad...ys to meet me. But, Gladys came over and asked me to dance. I’m not really a dancer, but I said yes. The following Saturday, she was waiting for me. We moved in almost right away. We started going to the men’s bars in Queens. There were no women’s bars out here. I said to Gladys, we’re just going in there to drink and mind our own business. We were almost welcomed with open arms. There was a man who hated lesbians. The first time we went in, it was Betsy Ross and then it became Magic Touch. I used to work there for a while. Buddha, the manager, was a bingo caller and one day I said I could do that! Believe it or not, that’s how I became the caller. Now, I do bingo here at the center. I didn’t go to her country for a long time because I was afraid of planes. She’s from Cartagena, Columbia. Slowly she got me on a plane from here to Florida. Never do I drink at 8 o’clock in the morning, but I drank two bloody mary’s and I didn’t care if the plane came down or not! When we went to Columbia, we were already together for 18 years. Her sisters and brother loved me. They were so sweet. I cried when I left because I wish they had been my parents.

All human service workers should be compensated for their dedication, skill, and compassion they put into work each day. This is crucial for many workers like myself that need financial stability. Zenya Stewart, @qchnyc The best thing Mayor can do for our city’s recovery is to INVEST in our human service orgs. They cannot provide the services & jobs NYC needs if the City doesn't honor its financial commitments to them. - @benkallos Human services workers have provided critical services to New Yorkers throughout the pandemic, all while being chronically underfunded and underpaid. Yesterday, we were over 900 strong for the #JustPay rally to restore COLA and achieve pay equity for the essential human services workforce!

QCH Executive Director Ben Thomases talks about what he’s looking forward to after getting vaccinated.

UPDATE! Due to recent developments, the Rally for One Million Voices has been moved to Thursday, June 17 at 11AM at Corona Plaza. We hope you join us then!

Sending love to all of the incredible mothers out there! Happy Mother’s Day!

Happening THURSDAY 6/10 at 11AM! Join the #OurCityOurVote Coalition Rally For One Million Voices! Expand our democracy and recognize immigrants! #Intro1867 WHERE: Corona Plaza in Queens, NY! http://fb.me/e/SM3b7cP5

New Yorkers! Early voting for the primary election kicks off 6/12 at 8AM! Here’s the full schedule for early voting! Go to findmypollsite.vote.nyc to find your early voting site. Let your voice be heard.

ICYMI: QCH-Queens Childcare Network is welcoming more in-home LICENSED FAMILY or FAMILY GROUP DAYCARES based in Queens, NY to join the network! Interested? Email [email protected] or call (347) 897-4949 to learn more!

Value the present, appreciate the journey, and embrace change. Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year! #HappyNewYear

Will you take a few minutes to make a difference today? A year end gift would change so much for a young person, senior, or family on the verge of giving up let’s join together to be there for someone who really needs you. Make your year end gift now: https://bit.ly/3p1qrFx

We have not wavered; not once throughout this pandemic. Our staff continue to be here for our participants. Please take a moment to support this vital work: https://bit.ly/3p1qrFx Your gift could change so much for a young person, senior, or family on the verge of giving up let’s join together to be there for someone who really needs you.

As we face another surge of infections, the needs in our communities are growing, too. We can't do this critical work without your support. Please stand with the families who need our help by making a gift at https://bit.ly/3p1qrFx, or start a fundraiser for QCH at https://bit.ly/3p5l5Jn.

As we face another surge of infections, the needs in our communities are growing as well. We cannot do this critical work without your support. Please stand with the families having a hard time right now. Consider making a gift of any size that is meaningful to you: https://bit.ly/3p1qrFx; or start a fundraiser: https://bit.ly/3p5l5Jn

Many thanks to Carolers for Charities for choosing QCH's COVID relief work as the recipient of this year's caroling fundraiser. Your support is very much appreciated by the members of our community. Sing on! https://www.ny1.com//christmas-carolers-spread-holiday-che

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Recovering Together, the culminating event of our COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Campaign, and our first ever virtual fundraising event, on Thursday evening. If you missed the event, you can view it here: https://bit.ly/3mAwTlG It’s not too late to text in your gift. Text QUEENS to 44321. You’ll receive a link to complete your donation.

Just a couple of hours away from the big event! It’s not too late to register. Join us in celebrating A24 films, Hallie’s Angels, and Queens Together, who have worked tirelessly to support our friends and neighbors during this difficult time. Registration is free and open to all: https://www.qchnyc.org//covid-19-relief-recovery-virtual-c

See you Thursday at 6:45pm for Queens Community House’s Recovering Together Virtual Event. Registration is free and open to all, and will be available up until and throughout the event. Invite your friends, family, and colleagues and join us! #here4queens https://bit.ly/31p24YZ

Queens Community House is #Here4Queens and we know you are, too! Join us and your post could be included in our Recovering Together event on the 22nd. Here's how to participate: 1. Record a video sharing your Queens community - a place, a ... person, a memory - anything that connects you to Queens. End your video with I am here for Queens OR Take a photo with a sign that reads #Here4Queens 2. Post to Instagram, Twitter, and/or Facebook with #Here4Queens 3. Tag @qchnyc + 3 friends to do the same Register for Recovering Together at qchnyc.org

Our Learning to Work (LTW) funding is under threat. The potential cuts will be devastating for young people who have been most impacted by COVID-19. We need you to make your voice heard by joining our virtual rally this afternoon. Here's how to join: https://goodshepherds.zoom.us/j/93611816365

You’re invited! Please join us on October 22nd for RECOVERING TOGETHER! This livestream event will be an incredibly powerful evening of connection and community. Click here for more information and free registration: https://www.qchnyc.org/covid-19-relief-recovery-campaign

The more of us who fill out the census, the more money we get for NYC’s schools, roads, bridges, health care, housing, and more. Complete it in less than 10 minutes at my2020census.gov. #GetCountedNYC

Once in a decade, we have the chance to make a difference for our community. Census answers are 100% privatethey cannot be shared with anyonenot immigration or your landlord. Fill out the 2020 Census today: my2020census.gov #GetCountedNYC

Happy Voter Registration Day! Please be aware of these important dates regarding the upcoming election and visit http://voting.nyc/ for more information. We must raise our voices and vote on November 3rd!

Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York City Department of Education's back to school plan heavily relies on Community Based Organizations that provide crucial school-age child care, mental health support, and help with remote learning. But the $9.16M cut to NYC Community Schools makes it harder for us to provide these supports. #SAVECommunitySchools https://www.gothamgazette.com//9725-restore-new-york-city-

The board, staff, and participants of QCH are very saddened to learn of the recent death of philanthropist and activist Henry van Ameringen. Van Ameringen is known for championing many unseen causes over his lifetime, including HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ rights, and mental health. Henry was a longtime supporter of our Queens Center for Gay Seniors (QCGS) and Generation Q LGBTQ youth program, said Ben Thomases, QCH Executive Director. His support for QCGS begin in 1998, when the program was in its infancy and the idea of an LGBT senior center was quite an anomaly. It was hard to find funding, and without Henry’s support we could not have built it into the dynamic program it is today. He was a true visionary and will be missed.

Thank you Congresswoman Grace Meng and City Councilman Donovan Richards for joining QCH Executive Director Ben Thomases at our Pomonok Community Center pantry yesterday! We appreciate your providing #PPE to our neighbors. #QueensStrong

REMINDER: NYS is now offering a rental relief program for eligible households who have lost income due to COVID19. Applications must be submitted by July 30! To see if you qualify and to apply please visit: https://covidrentrelief.hcr.ny.gov