SCS News

We’re excited to announce that SCS has been selected as one of only 30 organizations statewide to receive a NY BRICKS grant!

The Building Recreational Infrastructure for Communities, Kids, and Seniors (NY BRICKS) program will support projects across 22 New York counties, including $825,965 for major improvements to our Sunnyside, Queens site. Announced by Governor Kathy Hochul, these grants will benefit nearly 40,000 New Yorkers.

The funding for SCS is part of a larger $2.1 million renovation project supported by New York State Senator Michael Gianaris and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. Planned upgrades include a new ADA-accessible ramp and entrance door; renovated public and staff restrooms; enhancements to our Social Adult Day program space; and a revitalized kitchen that provides hot lunches every weekday to members of our Older Adult Center.

SCS Executive Director Judy Zangwill joined Governor Hochul for the announcement, alongside Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and leaders from fellow NYC-based grantee organizations.

We’re grateful for this investment in our community and excited for the improvements ahead!

   

Shake Shack, a restaurant chain based in New York City and known for its ShackBurgers, shakes, and frozen custard treats, opened its Sunnyside location in late September. The Sunnyside Shake Shack is located at 46-20 Queens Blvd. SCS Executive Director Judy Zangwill and other SCS staff members attended the opening ceremony. On opening day, September 24, Shake Shack donated $1 from every sandwich sold on opening day to SCS.

Read the QNS article online at: https://qns.com/2025/09/shake-shack-sunnyside-grand-opening.

At a recent Caregiving Summit, amNY spoke to SCS Executive Director Judy Zangwill about the shortage of home care aides. Home care aides help individuals with their daily activities, allowing them to stay in their homes instead of moving to a nursing home or other facility.

Read the article online here.

Photo above by Claude Solnik of amNY.

On September 8, the Temporary Protected Status expired for more than 50,000 Hondurans, as well as thousands of Nicaraguans, which means they will lose their work authorization and may be deported. Marcia, a Home Health Aide who trained at SCS’ Home Health Aide Training Program, is a Honduran who had Temporary Protected Status and is now ineligible to work in the United States. In New York City, Home Health Aides like Marcia are predominantly foreign born. Changes in immigration policy could exacerbate the shortage of home health aide workers in New York and nationwide.

CBS Evening News recently explored this issue in a story featuring interviews with Home Health Aide Marcia; Caroline, the daughter of Eddie whom Marcia cares for; and Judy Zangwill, the Executive Director of SCS.

Watch the story online here.

 
 

Asia Piña-Smith, Director of the SCS Elder Justice program, recently spoke to NY1’s In Focus about elder abuse and how to spot the signs of elder abuse. You can watch the clip online at https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/in-focus-shows/2025/07/19/elder-justice-program-director-asia-pina-smith-discusses-elder-abuse

If you think someone is experiencing abuse or neglect, please call or email our Elder Justice team at 718-392-0836 or elderjustice@scsny.org. We provide service to individuals living in Western Queens (Community Districts 1-7 and 11), including Long Island City, Sunnyside, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Corona, Flushing, Rego Park, and many other neighborhoods. All inquiries will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.

 

In this issue of the News and Views newsletter, you can read about recent news regarding SCS. Read about Lou, one of our Home Care participants, who has received care from our Home Health Aides for many years. Other stories include: a letter from the SCS Executive Director; a special event to raise awareness about elder abuse; a ceremony honoring SCS volunteers; the annual Caregiver Conference; photos of students making art for Mother’s Day; and a photo of ESOL students at Astoria Park.

Read the newsletter online at issuu.com.

Photo above: Courtesy of Lou’s family.

 

We celebrated National Volunteer Week by recognizing the outstanding contributions of several of our dedicated volunteers. The event featured an evening of dinner, music, dancing, and a special ceremony honoring five individuals: Victoria Fann, Ana Rios, Massimo Turcios, Rosaura Vazquez, and Diana Zych.

We depend on volunteers to bring programs and services to more than 16,000 people each year. Individuals (ages 15 and older) and corporate volunteer teams can help out with meal preparation, administrative support, events, activities, and more. For more information, visit our volunteer page.

Photo, from left to right: Diana Sabogal Arango, SCS Immigration Navigator/Immigration Paralegal; Luis Rios Gomez, Volunteer & Community Outreach Coordinator for SCS; Michelle Rodriguez, Program Coordinator for SCS Beacon Program at I.S. 5Q; Victoria Fann, SCS Volunteer; Massimo Turcios, SCS Volunteer; Rosaura Vazquez, SCS Volunteer; Ana Rios, SCS Volunteer; Judith Zangwill, SCS Executive Director; Diana Zych, SCS Volunteer; Kerly Serrano, Director of the Older Adult Center at SCS; Chandra Moore, SCS Home Care Administrative Assistant; Jose Miranda, Associate Executive Director of Youth, Family, & Immigrant Services at SCS.

   

Jeff Simmons, the host of the It’s in Queens podcast, speaks with SCS Executive Director Judy Zangwill, and SCS Associate Executive Director for Older Adult Services Shyvonne Noboa about elder justice, affordable housing, and more.

Listen to the full podcast online here.

   

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and NYC Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vásquez addressed more than 100 seniors at SCS as part of our Elder Justice Program. Other speakers at the event included Chief of Staff for New York City Council, Nick Gulotta; SCS Executive Director Judy Zangwill; SCS Elder Justice Director Asia Piña-Smith, MSW; and a client who offered a firsthand account about the impact of our Elder Justice Program.

Read the article online at https://sunnysidepost.com/queens-da-elder-abuse-sunnyside-community-services.

Photo by Shane O’Brien; courtesy of Sunnyside Post

 
 

Hundreds of seniors and their advocates, joined Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, for a rally protesting the $102 million proposed budget cut to the New York City Department for the Aging. The reduced funding would impact services to older adults and could lead to the closure of up to 90 senior centers across the city. The rally, held at Queens Borough Hall, was organized by LiveOn NY.

Read the Queens Post article about the rally here: https://queenspost.com/hundreds-rally-at-queens-borough-hall-to-protest-102m-cuts-to-senior-services

Photo above: SCS staff and members of our Center for Active Older Adults joined hundreds of seniors and advocates at a rally protesting cuts to senior centers.