Teen & Young Adults

Access For Young Women

For over 20 years, Access for Young Women (AFYW) has been providing valuable leadership opportunities to young women ages 12-18. The program has demonstrated proven results in increasing girls’ self-esteem, academic performance, leadership skills, and knowledge of gender issues.

AFYW provides an intensive 30-week leadership development curriculum that includes training in public speaking, problem solving, goal setting, and critical thinking. The young women also address important issues affecting their lives such as body image, identity, global issues, relationships, and social media. The program culminates with an Annual Youth Leadership Conference organized and facilitated by the young women to educate their peers and spread awareness on issues of importance to them.

Forest Hills

108-25 62nd Drive
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Tel: 718-592-5757, ext. 218
Coordinator: Gabriella Vera
Email: gvera@qchnyc.org

Beacon Programming

Beacon youth programs are designed to help participants acquire the skills and attitudes they need to succeed in school and give back to the community. The program is intended to build:

  • Academic Enhancement: tutoring, homework help, reading clubs, and financial literacy
  • Life Skills: activities designed to increase personal responsibility, self-esteem, and confidence.
  • Civic Engagement/Community Building: leadership skills, community awareness, and civic responsibility.
  • College/Career Guidance: exploration of post-secondary educational and career opportunties 

QCH operates three Beacon programs:

  • J.H.S. 190 (Russelll Sage)
  • M.S. 210
  • P.S. 149

All three locations provide free, year-round programming for youth ages 6-21, with specific programming for teens offered Monday-Friday evenings.

Forest Hills

Beacon at J.H.S. 190

68-17 Austin Street
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Phone: 347-556-7964
Director: Isidro Fortuna
Email: ifortuna@qchnyc.org

Jackson Heights

Beacon at P.S. 149

93-11 34th Avenue
Jackson Heights, NY 11372
Phone: 718-426-0888
Director: Michael Cartagena
Email: mcartagena@qchnyc.org

Ozone Park

Beacon at M.S. 210

93-11 101st Avenue
Ozone Park, NY 11416
Phone: 929-509-0909
Director: Marlena Starace
Email: mstarace@qchnyc.org

Generation Q LGBTQ+ Center

Generation Q is an after-school youth center for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer youth and allies, between the ages of 13 and 21. The program offers LGBTQ youth a friendly, safe environment with a wide variety of educational and recreational opportunities, as well as social and emotional support. Through the program, participants are connected with meaningful opportunities for advocacy and activism, peer education, community building, and leadership. Generation Q also offers workshops, support groups, counseling, field trips, art-based programming, and more.

Forest Hills

107-20 71st Road
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Outreach Coordinator: LoAn Nguyen
Email: lnguyen@qchnyc.org

Director of LGBTQ+ Teen Services: Keri Satterfield
Email: ksatterfield@qchnyc.org

Evening Teen Drop-in Centers

QCH has an Evening Teen Drop-in Centers at two locations: our Forest Hills Community Center and Pomonok Community Center. We provide youth development-focused athletics, recreation and educational activities to engage young people in safe, supervised, and structured activities during evening hours. Primary activities include pick-up athletic basketball, volleyball, and soccer, fitness and art activities including boxing classes, gaming, and field trips. The groups promote teen issues, life skills, critical thinking, decision making and pursuit of higher education and lifelong learning. Youth are also connected to QCH’s various youth employment and college access services.

Pomonok

Pomonok Community Center

67-09 Kissena Boulevard
Flushing, NY 11367
Director: Bret Woodson
Email: bwoodson@qchnyc.org

Forest Hills

Forest Hills Community Center

108-25 62nd Drive
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Director: Bret Woodson
Email: bwoodson@qchnyc.org

Youth Development Center at Newtown High School

This school-based program offers high school youth a variety of year-round activities, including individual and group counseling, academic enrichment, and credit-bearing classes. This program supports 9th & 10th graders in their transition to high school and in their promotion to the next grade level.   

Elmhurst

48-01 90th Street, Rm. 363
Elmhurst, NY 11373
Tel: 718-595-8541
Fax: 718 592-6485
Cell: 347 884-5827
Director: Michael Spyrou
Email: mspyrou@qchnyc.org

Community School at International High School for Health Sciences

This program supports international students with access to mentoring, engaging opportunities during non-school hours, expanded learning programs, and other services that benefit the youth and their community.

Elmhurst

48-01 90th Street
Elmhurst, NY 11373
Director: Lizbeth Mendoza
Email: lmendoza@qchnyc.org

Queens Community House
Support Queens Community House

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