“I attend the after school Youth Development Center at Newtown High School. I’m taking the guitar class, where we learn how to play and then perform songs for visitors who stop by.
“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.
Queens Community House brinda a las personas y las familias las herramientas para enriquecer sus vidas y construir comunidades saludables e inclusivas.
