"After 46 years in the field of healthcare I was being put out to pasture. I prepared myself for this day. I needed something to keep me out of mischief from 9am to about 3pm. I started to look up senior centers, and I found one near me: the Kew Gardens Community Center.
"Queens has seen the evolution of my character over a period of time, and still never ceases to amaze or inspire me. In this borough, you can meet people from all around the world and experience different cuisines and cultures without even catching a flight.
"Discovering QCH and the range of services they provide to the community instantly drew me to collaborate with them as a partner. Their dedication to working with young adults through SYEP resonates deeply with me. My own journey began 40 years ago through SYEP.
“I don’t get much done when I’m home because I don’t have a schedule. Being here at the Rego Park Older Adult Center, it’s a chance for me to have some structure in my life without the pressure of when I worked 9 to 5. I enjoy helping Elana and the staff keep the Center running smoothly.
"In order to work, I needed to be sure that my child would be well taken care of. My mom is in another country so she can’t help me, and my husband works full-time. I needed quality childcare for my daughter. Then, I learned about QCH’s Queens Childcare Network (QCCN).
“Before transferring to QCH at Voyages South High School, it was difficult for me to go to school every day due to my anxiety. A really big school with so many people always made me nervous.
"I was initially introduced to QCH through positive feedback from peers at my school who had participated in the program and shared their experiences. Witnessing their enthusiasm and satisfaction with the program motivated me to enroll and become actively involved in QCH.
"The work I engage in revolves around fostering connections between MetroPlus Health and our communities. We strive to empower the health of all New Yorkers by collaborating with various organizations, partners, and providers who share our mission.
"I have been a Queens Childcare Network (QCCN) affiliated provider since February 2023. I opened my licensed family group program in 2022. This year, I applied to the Queens Economic Development Center - Queens Tech and Innovation Contest.
