Meet Your Neighbor: Elie Voltaire

"My father and I joined QCH at the rally for affordable housing at Creedmoor. I really enjoyed it. It felt like I was making a difference. I was very happy that my dad could participate. When I was younger, he was often working and couldn’t attend my school events, so I felt like this was healing my inner child. I know that he enjoyed it too.

Through QCH’s Community Schools program, I’ve been able to get more involved in my community as a teenager. In addition to rallying for affordable housing in Queens, I volunteered to set up events that support local families, and I cleaned up our local park. I also participated in student workshops such as the idea generation sessions for The People’s Money, a process that allows all New Yorkers ages 11 and up to help decide how to spend part of the city’s budget.

QCH has inspired me to be more open to new opportunities and continue to be involved in my community."

- Elie Voltaire, Student of QCH’s Community School at the International HS for Health Sciences