House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Says Queens Community House’s Center is ‘Model for the Nation’

On October 12, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Queens Community House (QCH), one of the borough’s largest social service organizations. During her visit to QCH’s newly renovated Forest Hills Community Center, QCH Executive Director Ben Thomases provided a tour of the space to Pelosi and other elected officials, followed by a roundtable discussion on the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law in August. 

After undergoing a major renovation for over two years, several programs at the Forest Hills Community Center have reopened this fall and are welcoming individuals and families across the borough.  

“It was such a pleasure having House Speaker Pelosi at our community center and showing her why our community centers are essential to the work we do for our neighbors,” said Thomases. “Families, immigrants, older adults, teens, and children from all different backgrounds and walks of life come here to improve their lives and that of their families, to interact with their neighbors, and make a difference in their communities.” 

“Ben, thank you for your leadership and for making this a place so welcoming and respectful, meeting the needs of the people of the community,” said Speaker Pelosi. “It truly is a model for the nation.” 

Elected officials in attendance included Representative Grace Meng, State Senators Jessica Ramos and Leroy Comrie, Assemblymember Nily Rozic, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards.

“Thank you so much to Ben and the entire QCH team for taking care of families and individuals of all ages in the borough of Queens,” said Representative Grace Meng. 

The roundtable discussion featured Thomases, Speaker Pelosi, Rep. Meng, Marcelle Dinnall of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, and Joanna Solmonsohn and Rose Green of the NYS Nurses Association. “Across the nation, House Democrats are holding a Day of Action to highlight how our Inflation Reduction Act is slashing prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, while locking in lower insurance premiums for America's working families,” said Speaker Pelosi. 

“We appreciate having elected officials here who are truly invested in how community-based organizations reach individuals and families in need because that’s how we can make services like Medicare more accessible to the diverse communities in Queens,” said Thomases. 

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Queens Community House (QCH) is a multi-service settlement house committed to serving the diverse neighborhoods of Queens. QCH serves more than 25,000 children, youth, adults, and older adults every year. Our mission is to provide individuals and families with the tools to enrich their lives and build healthy, inclusive communities. Through a broad network of programs operating out of 39 sites in 15 neighborhoods, we offer Queens residents a needed support system at every stage of life, helping them to develop the knowledge, confidence, and skills to change their lives for the better and become active participants in their larger community. 

CONTACT: 

Thomas Cruz 

Director of Communications 

Queens Community House 

tcruz@qchnyc.org