Queens Community House (QCH), one of the borough’s largest and most impactful social service organizations, celebrated the 26th anniversary of its Youth Leadership Conference this past weekend, spotlighting the talents and leadership of young women from across Queens.
Nearly 200 attendees gathered at the Community Center in Forest Hills to participate in workshops, performances, and a keynote address—each led or inspired by the young women of QCH’s Access for Young Women (AFYW) program.
Designed by and for girls and young women ages 12 to 18, the event offered a platform for participants to lead conversations on pressing issues ranging from internet safety to identity, social justice, and financial literacy.
The day included workshops on topics such as “Legal Momentum: Internet Safety,” “Workplace Protections,” “Breaking the Glass Ceiling,” “Money Basics for Teens,” “Restorative Justice,” and “Ways to Keep Yourself Safe as an Immigrant.” Lighter, creative topics also included “Science of Origami” and “Is Beauty a Choice or a Requirement?” All sessions were organized and facilitated by young women in the program.
A standout moment of the conference was the keynote speech from Angelique Medley, Interim Chief Revenue Officer at International Data Group (IDG) and a QCH Board Member. Medley’s remarks focused on resilience, representation, and rising through challenges in leadership roles.
“The growth we saw in these young women throughout the year was remarkable,” said Tabitha Gamonski, QCH’s Director of Student Support Services. “It’s truly great seeing them lead this entire conference from start to finish with so much confidence.”
The conference also featured musical and spoken word performances, remarks from graduating seniors, and an awards ceremony celebrating student achievements and milestones within the program.
The AFYW program is a yearlong leadership development initiative that features a 30-week curriculum with training in public speaking, goal setting, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It is designed to strengthen self-esteem, promote academic success, and raise awareness of gender and social issues among teen girls. The Youth Leadership Conference serves as the program’s culminating event each year.
Founded in 1975, Queens Community House is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025. The organization serves more than 26,000 residents each year through programs at 40 locations across 15 neighborhoods. Its mission is to provide individuals and families with the tools to build healthy, inclusive communities.
For more information on QCH’s youth programs and upcoming anniversary events, visit qchnyc.org.
