SCS News

Students at our P.S. 199Q afterschool program recently came together to celebrate the culmination of their latest unit with an Art/STEM Gallery showcase! This unit, centered around the theme “Healthy Body, Mind and Planet,” challenged students to explore what it means to care for themselves and the world around them. From projects highlighting healthy habits for the body and mind, to creative creations built from recycled materials brought from home, students demonstrated just how much they had learned and how creatively they could apply it.

Families filled the room with pride as they explored work from every grade level, and our clubs had their moment to shine as well. The Board Game Club, Comic Book Club, Art Club, and Gaming Craft Club each showcased the incredible projects they’ve been working on throughout the unit.

It was a truly wonderful evening, a testament to the curiosity, creativity, and hard work of our students, and the dedication of our staff. We are so proud of everything our community accomplished, and we can’t wait to see what the next unit brings!”

March is National Social Work Month. Every day, our social workers bring their compassion, commitment, and care to assist members of our community. To recognize our dedicated social workers, we held a special celebration that included a luncheon and team-building activities. Thank you to all our SCS social workers!

On St. Patrick’s Day, our Center for Active Older Adults turned into a festive hub of dancing, trivia, raffles, and desserts.

The Center for Active Older Adults offers a fun, vibrant environment where people aged 60 and older can enjoy a free lunch, as well as recreational activities, fitness classes, and educational workshops. Learn more here.

People of all ages came together on March 1 in Sunnyside for the St. Pat’s For All Parade. The St. Pat’s for All Parade was founded 26 years ago and has grown into one of the biggest events in Sunnyside. More than 1,000 people participated in this year’s event, including many SCS staff, supporters, and participants. Thanks to all who joined us for this fun event!

CBS News New York’s Cindy Hsu spoke with SCS’s Shyvonne Noboa about signs to look for that indicate that an older adult needs help. The piece is part of a series called Breaking the Stigma that covers mental health issues.

Watch the full episode online here.

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!

In this issue of the News and Views newsletter, you can read about recent news regarding SCS. Learn about SCS food programs, which connect people to critical resources that help them put food on their tables. Other stories include: the Flood Solutions Fair hosted by U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez and the flood resource site Th e City Sponge; Halloween festivities at our senior center and pre-K program; the NYC Kids Rise Save for College Program; a photo of students during the Lights On Afterschool event; and SCS transportation driver Dennis Spencer honored as a Veteran of the Game at a recent NY Mets game.

Read the newsletter online at issuu.com.

Join us for drinks, lite bites, great conversation, and music featuring the sounds of jazz composer Mark Wade and classical violinist Laura Giannini. The free concert will take place at the our Sunnyside location on Saturday, December 6 at 2 pm. RSVP online here.

Thank you to the New York Foundation for the Arts and the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs for helping to support this work!