50 for 50: Lew Harris

“I was the Executive Director of the Community House for 31 years. When I began, the center—then known as the Forest Hills Community House—was based in a community center in Forest Hills. During my 31 years, the center grew into a borough-wide endeavor that provides services for one of the country’s most diverse communities. 

There were tensions happening in Forest Hills—government interventions, conflict, mistrust—and a sense that the Community House needed to help bring people together. 

I had grown up in a southern community where prejudice was somewhat rampant. I was enlightened by the thought that I could have some impact on that kind of friction that was going on in Forest Hills. We had tension with public housing, but we also had an affluent community, so there had to be a way of bringing those together. I saw that as my first mission. 

At the time, there was an early childhood center with very strong parent involvement, but the senior center wasn’t even run by QCH. I made it clear that the Community House would be a family organization. My vision was cradle-to-aging: early childhood, youth programs, teens, adults, and older adults, all connected.  

Because that’s what a community is. If you don’t understand aging—if kids never see older adults, or if older adults never interact with teenagers—you miss something essential. 

There were tensions everywhere. Teens wanted the gym. Seniors needed safety and routine. Immigrant families were moving in. Longtime residents felt unsettled. There was economic disparity. 

We had poor people having lunch with wealthy people who had cooks at home. We had young children who were super dressed with kids not super dressed. And we had teenagers of different ethnic groups, all under one roof. 

One program I’m very proud of is the Queens Center for Gay Seniors. Some people, even within our own board, couldn’t understand why LGBTQ seniors needed their own space. But we knew they faced isolation and discrimination. There was pushback, but we persisted. 

What I learned during my tenure is that one person doesn’t do it alone. I had a great staff of consummate professionals, and together we grew great programs. I am very proud of my association with those people and of what we built together. 

I am so grateful that that effort continued through the successive efforts of Irma Rodriguez and now, Ben Thomases. It is deeply satisfying to see how QCH continues to evolve to meet the needs of an ever-changing community.”

—Lew Harris