At a reception celebrating the new connection between the Central Queens YM & YWHA (CQY) and the Samuel Fields Y (SFY), board members and local leaders stressed how the union would benefit the Forest Hills community.
“The board of SFY and CQY decided that the best way to bring consistent, high quality services was to share our resources,” said Steven Goodman, CEO of both SFY and CQY. “By bringing these two agencies together, we’ll be able to maintain and expand programs and address the needs of the community going forward.”
The Wednesday, December 2 reception in the CQY was meant to reach out to local businesses to introduce the new management of CQY and elicit their support.
“We need you to help us get the word out that CQY is under new management, with a new strategic plan, and a new commitment to the community,” Goodman said.
According to Goodman, the CQY, at 67-09 108th Street in Forest Hills, was facing service cuts due to a change in philanthropic and government funding, as well as the added stress of the recession. In order to continue to provide programs and services to Central Queens and to share much needed resources, the CQY became an affiliate of the SFY in Little Neck.
“When you have two outstanding institutions that work together, everybody benefits. The community benefits with these institutions reinforcing each other,” said New York State Senator Toby Stavisky. “This is a situation where one plus one equals three.”
The two Jewish communal organizations now share a board of directors and management infrastructure. According to CQY staff, becoming an SFY affiliate has saved their organization.
“We were at the point where it was close to closing our doors. Back in December we had to let go of eight people,” said CQY Director of Membership and Marketing Joanne Someck. “The writing was on the wall.”
Since the affiliation process began almost seven months ago, CQY has been able to expand its programming and staff no longer fear it may close its doors.
“I can feel in my bones the good we are all doing together for this community,” said Board Member Stephen Reiner.
