Queens Centers for Progress (QCP), a cornerstone in services for individuals with developmental disabilities, will celebrate its 75th anniversary with a gala on Tuesday, June 17, at Terrace on the Park. The milestone event will recognize decades of service and honor key figures who have shaped the organization’s legacy.
The evening will begin with a VIP reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by general admission from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the venue located at 52-11 111th St., overlooking Flushing Meadows-Corona Park.
Founded in 1950, QCP has evolved into one of Queens’ leading nonprofits supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities. The organization now serves more than 1,200 individuals annually through education, day programs, residential services, and advocacy work.
The gala will feature dinner, an awards presentation, and remarks from community leaders, supporters, and QCP advocates. This year’s honorees include Greg Bianco, CEO of Metropolitan Recycling; Paul D. Schuldiner, executive vice president and chief lending officer of Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc.; and Cindy Heller, QCP’s director of children’s services.
QCP Executive Director Terri Ross said the event celebrates the organization’s past while looking to the future. “As we honor our past, we are also looking ahead, committed to breaking new ground in how we support people with developmental disabilities,” Ross said. “The challenges and opportunities before us inspire us to dream bigger and do even more for the community we serve.”
For Heller, 69, the evening also marks a personal milestone — her retirement after nearly five decades at QCP. She began her career with the organization in 1978 as a special education teacher at the age of 22, shortly after earning a master’s degree from Columbia University. She also holds degrees from Cornell University and Hunter College.
Over the years, Heller rose through the ranks, serving as supervising teacher, educational coordinator, assistant director, and eventually director of children’s services.
“It’s a fabulous agency, I’ve grown here professionally,” Heller said. “I started here as a special ed-teacher, I’ve moved up… there are a lot of professional growth opportunities here, and I found that this agency is extremely ethical.”
Heller reflected fondly on the relationships she formed with students and families throughout her career.
“I remember every June I was crying because I wasn’t going to see those children anymore,” she said. “As I got a little older, I thought maybe I could have more of an impact with the children by supervising a larger load of teachers.”
She said she feels “extraordinarily honored” to be recognized at the gala and looks forward to retirement plans that include travel, theater, and family time.
“That first week or so, it’s going to be just not setting my alarm clock,” she added.
Heller said she remains inspired by the children she worked with and the staff who supported them. “Just seeing the growth the children have in their language skills, learning how to walk, or being able to say hi to their mommies,” she said. “I think the administration is great and the staff is fabulous, and we’ve been honored that so many families have entrusted their children to us.”
To register or for more information, visit tinyurl.com/25QCPGala or call 718-380-3000 x.324. For sponsorship opportunities or more information, contact Shaun Caruana, Assistant Director of Development, at scaruana@queenscp.org.
