“My sister lived in the Forest Hills Coop for many years. She introduced me to her neighbor and that man became my husband. I took care of them both for many years with the help of QCH and the NORC program.
“I’ve been a part of this neighborhood since I was little. I live in the building right next to the Pomonok Community Center, so I’ve been volunteering and helping out here for as long as I can remember.
“In 1994, I had no job at all so I started to think about opening my own daycare. A friend told me about the Queens Childcare Network and how they give workshops on providing proper child care. I went and learned everything I could, and now 23 years later I have two locations.
"In 1997, I applied for the Summer Youth Employment Program and was placed in QCH's Neighborhood Intergenerational Chore and Errand program. Nine years later, I applied for the secretary position at their Pomonok Community Center.
“My middle school [J.H.S. 157] introduced me to the Summer Photography Program at QCH last year, and then through that I was introduced to Access For Young Women.
“I’ve lived in Forest Hills for as long as I can remember, so I was excited to be hired recently as a program aide for QCH's new Friendly Visiting program.
“In September, I turned 105 years old. Because of my age, I can’t really go shopping anymore. So for the last five years, maybe even longer than that, I’ve been receiving meal-on-wheels and case management assistance from QCH.
"I first came to QCH back in 1983 when I was 13 years old. I was recruited into the Advice through Athletics program by Steve Pullano, who was my teacher at the time.
"I was born in Mexico and my family and I immigrated here when I was just 2 years old. I actually haven’t been back there since we left 26 years ago, so when an opportunity came up to study abroad at the biggest university in Mexico, I knew I had to take advantage.
"I learned about QCH when I was dealing with my possible eviction, and a Human Resources Administration representative told me about their Eviction Prevention Unit.
Queens Community House brinda a las personas y las familias las herramientas para enriquecer sus vidas y construir comunidades saludables e inclusivas.
