SCS News

Registration for our free English for Speakers of Other Languages classes opens in mid-March. The classes are taught by expert ESOL instructors. The curriculum was created to meet the needs of all immigrants. Each day will help you to build the skills you need to communicate with employers, doctors, landlords, your children’s teachers, and others in the community.

Classes will be offered from April 19 – June 23 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Participants will have a choice of morning (9 am – noon) or evening (6 – 9 pm) classes.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning English this spring, email us at English@scsny.org.

You can help save lives by donating blood at our location in Sunnyside, Queens. New York Blood Center is holding the drive on Monday, March 14 from 3 – 7:30 pm. Schedule an appointment online at nybc.org/save1feed1. 

When you donate blood in March, you can double your impact! Register online and New York Blood Center will donate to Feeding New York State or Community Foodbank of New Jersey on your behalf.

Please remember to eat, drink, and bring your donor ID card or your photo ID to your appointment.

QNS highlights the ribbon cutting of a new TF Cornerstone development in Long Island City as one of their top stories of December 2021. The building at 5241 Center Blvd. will include a community center where SCS will provide services and programming. 

You can read the article online at: 
https://qns.com/2021/12/year-in-review-queens-top-stories-december-2021/

Free PCR saliva-based tests will be offered December 21 and 23 at Sunnyside Community Services. The saliva is self-collected by the person being tested. Results will be offered via email, text, or phone call. No ID or insurance is needed.

Testing will be held at our building in Sunnyside at 43-31 39th Street between Queens Boulevard and 43rd Avenue. Testing dates are:

• Tuesday, December 21, 1 – 7:30 pm (We have reached capacity for the day.)
• Thursday, December 23, 8:30 am – 2:30 pm

Please note: As demand for Covid-19 tests is high throughout the city, long lines are likely. Once our supply of test kits is depleted, we will close the line. 

If you are unable to make it to our location for testing, please visit https://www.nychealthandhospitals.org/test-and-trace/testing/ for additional locations.

On December 13, we held a special event to thank City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer for his 12 years of service to our community and to Sunnyside Community Services (SCS). During his time as Council Member, he has supported senior services, widened the reach of cultural opportunities in Queens, supported our youth programs, and secured capital and discretionary funding. He also marched alongside us for immigrant rights, and ran with us in the Sunnyside Post Mile to raise funds for SCS.

During the event, several people spoke, sharing memories and thanks for all that he has done. Speakers included Jonah Gensler, Director of Adult and Immigrant Services for SCS, and Kerly Serrano, Director of the SCS Senior Center, as well as several senior citizens from the community. We also presented Jimmy with a special memento – a photo collage that included photos of him with SCS participants and staff.

On Thanksgiving Day, SCS staff, volunteers, and Board Members delivered more than 175 meals to seniors in Queens. Read more in the Queens Gazette article above.

City and elected officials joined TF Cornerstone and SCS for a ribbon cutting for a new development in Long Island City. One of the new waterfront buildings will include a community center where SCS will offer Home Health Aide training classes and caregiver support services. Read more online at:
https://qns.com/2021/12/new-affordable-housing-options-come-to-long-island-city-waterfront-development/

TF Cornerstone held a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of its two new apartment towers at Hunters Point South in Long Island City. The development will include a community center where Sunnyside Community Services will provide support services for caregivers and training for new home health aides. Read more in this Real Estate Weekly article: 
https://rew-online.com/tf-cornerstone-officially-opens-hunters-point-south-towers/

Elected officials and developers cut the ribbon on a two-tower residential development in Long Island City. The development will include a space where SCS will provide programs and services. Read the story online at: 
https://twitter.com/queenspost/status/1467925314504478724