QCH Hosts Grand Opening of New Jamaica Older Adult Center

On June 28, Queens Community House (QCH), one of the borough's largest social service organizations, hosted the grand opening of the QCH Jamaica Older Adult Center at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica (89-60 164th Street). Close to 100 people were in attendance for this event.

Queens residents across the borough enjoyed socializing, entertainment, live music, food, and special guests, and they got to learn about the services and activities QCH will be offering at its newest site. Elected officials who stopped by included New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, NYC Councilmember Nantasha Williams, and Cherise Parson, Special Assistant of State Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman.

“First Presbyterian Church has always been about service, and it’s wonderful to see them linking up with QCH, another great organization that has been helping the Queens community for so many years,” said NYS Senator Comrie. “I look forward to coming to this center and watching it flourish so that we can take care of the senior community that paved the way for us.”

“We have so many seniors in the southeast Queens community, and this area in particular is diverse, so I’m happy to see the diversity in this room,” said Councilmember Williams. “Our seniors are the beacons of our community and made our community what it is today, so we need to ensure that they can age in place and with grace and have all they need to live a well life. Thanks to QCH for opening an older adult center here.”

Icylin Fish is a Jamaica resident and was in attendance for the grand opening. “I learned about the different services this center will be having every week, from providing meals to exercise activities, so it’ll be nice having this in the Jamaica neighborhood,” said Fish.

“We are grateful for our continued partnership with Reverend Patrick O’Connor and the First Presbyterian Church here in Jamaica, and we’re excited to serve the older adults of this community,” said QCH Executive Director Ben Thomases.

“We will offer an array of services at this center to improve the lives of older adults in Jamaica, Queens,” said Daisy Baez-Vasquez, Program Director of the QCH Jamaica Older Adult Center. “This is a place where strangers will become friends.”