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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!
Join us on Saturday, March 7 for a free Family Education Resource Fair.
Bring the family and learn about:
Family Education Resource Fair
Saturday March 7
10 am – 2 pm
Location:
Sunnyside Community Services
43-31 39th Street
Sunnyside, NY 11104
Entrance is free but registration is encouraged! Register online here.
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.
Young author and Mindful Reading founder Madeleine Chin recently visited our afterschool program at P.S. 199Q in Sunnyside, where she inspired students with her story and love of reading and writing. She spoke about her journey as a young writer, answered questions, and encouraged students to find their own voice through reading and creativity. Each child had the opportunity to select three donated books to take home, helping to spark a lifelong love of reading.
By age 12, Madeleine Chin had already written two novels. In 2025, she founded Mindful Reading in 2025 to help children build confidence and joy reading and writing through creative, engaging programs. To date, the organization has distributed more than 7,000 books to over 2,400 children. In recognition of her dedication to service, Madeleine received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in 2025 for her community work.
SCS after-school programs provide fun and challenging enrichment activities for children. We provide after-school programs at P.S. 150 and P.S. 199 in Sunnyside for elementary school students (grades K – 5) and programming for K-8 at the Boulevard Family Residence (transitional shelter) in Elmhurst. Click here for more information.
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!
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.