50 for 50: Michael Stellman

"I’ve always thought of myself as a socially conscious landlord.

For 31 years, I worked as a manager for the New York City Housing Authority. My job was to run buildings, but that was never enough. If kids didn’t have programs, I started them. I organized softball leagues and touch football. To me, being a landlord meant being part of the community.

That mindset led me to Queens Community House, back when the organization was still known as Forest Hills Community House. As manager of the Forest Hills Co-op [the NYCHA development where QCH's original site is located], I saw something special take place at their Forest Hills Community Center. Seniors in the morning. Kids in the afternoon. Programs at night. The same room constantly transforming to meet different needs. 
Seeing that impact up close led me to join their board. At the time, the board mostly listened to reports and played a limited role. Over time, that changed, and I helped push a shift toward stronger governance and real fundraising support.

One moment cemented my commitment. Sitting in an ESL class and listening to immigrants who worked two jobs study at night to become citizens gave me goosebumps, the same feeling I had walking into Yankee Stadium as a kid. I saw the real impact of the work.

Over 30 years on the Board, including 20 years as President, I have watched QCH grow tremendously. When I stepped into the role, the Community House was a $9 million organization. Today it is more than four times that size. I am most proud of recruiting strong leadership and helping negotiate the purchase of the Forest Hills Community Center, securing a permanent home for the community.

What has remained constant is the staff, people who stay because they believe in the work. That commitment has helped QCH stay true to its mission over the years.

For a long time, I was just doing the work. When the renovated center reopened, that was the first time I stepped back and thought: You did a good thing here.

At its core, it has always been about showing up for your neighbors. And I am proud to have played a part in that."

— Michael Stellman