SCS News

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.

 
 

On Saturday, September 6, enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of smooth jazz featuring the sounds of composer Mark Wade. Stick around after the performance for a light reception where you can mingle and connect with fellow music lovers.

Date/Time: Saturday, September 6 at 2 pm
Location: Sunnyside Community Services, 43-31 39th Street, Sunnyside, NY 11104
RSVP: here

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature and administered by Flushing Town Hall.

 
 

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