Southeast Queens elected leaders helped cut the ribbon at a new adult center that Queens Community House opened at First Presbyterian Church in Jamaica on June 28.
Nearly a hundred Queens residents from across the borough attended the grand opening ceremony for the new QCH Jamaica Older Adult Center, located at 89-60 164th St., and enjoyed socializing, entertainment, live music, food and special guests while learning about the services and activities QCH will be offering at its newest site.
“First Presbyterian Church has always been about service and it’s wonderful to see them linking up with QCH, another great organization that has been helping the Queens community for so many years,” state Senator Leroy Comrie said. “I look forward to coming to this center and watching it flourish so that we can take care of the senior community that paved the way for us.”
Councilwoman Nantasha Williams helped cut the ribbon on the much-need adult center.
“We have so many seniors in the southeast Queens community and this area in particular is diverse, so I’m happy to see the diversity in this room,” Williams said. “Our seniors are the beacons of our community and made our community what it is today, so we need to ensure that they can age in place and with grace and have all they need to live a well life. Thanks to QCH for opening an older adult center here.”
Queens Community House, one of the borough’s largest social service organizations, serves more than 25,000 children, youth, adults and older adults every year through a broad network of programs operating out of 39 sites in 15 neighborhoods.
“We are grateful for our continued partnership with Reverend Patrick O’Connor and the First Presbyterian Church here in Jamaica, and we’re excited to serve the older adults of this community,” Queens Community House Executive Director Ben Thomases said.
The multi-service settlement house offers 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.
“I learned about the different services this center will be having every week, from providing meals to exercise activities, so it’ll be nice having this in the Jamaica neighborhood,” said Jamaica resident Icylin Fish.
Daisy Baez-Vasquez, program director of the QCH Jamaica Older Adult Center, said the organization is looking forward to serving neighbors in Jamaica for years to come.
“We will offer an array of services at this center to improve the lives of older adults in Jamaica, Queens,” Baez-Vasquez said. “This is a place where strangers will become friends.”
