Language:
On October 25, members of the Center for Active Older Adults at SCS, along with staff and elected officials, celebrated our 50th anniversary with a festive dance party. The party included food, cake, a special toast, and activities to help mark the organization’s golden anniversary. New York State Senator Michael Gianaris helped us celebrate with a special proclamation honoring our golden anniversary.
Photos by Cormac Nataro/Office of Senator Michael Gianaris.
The Queens Post visited our Sunnyside UP Pre-K and 3-K programs on the first day of the 2024-2025 school year. The Sunnyside UP programs are free and classes are held in an environment focused on exploration and discovery. Click here to see the Queens Post article and get a glimpse of what our programs are like.
For more information and details about our Pre-K and 3-K programs, click here.
To register online for Sunnyside UP as your first choice, enter code 30QBGO on the NYC MySchools application during the application period here.
Photo above by Ramy Mahmoud, Queens Post
Funding has lapsed for some ESOL programs, including courses offered by SCS. CBS News New York’s Ellie McLogan spoke to Judy Zangwill, Executive Director of SCS, and an ESOL student about this issue.
As New York City funding lapses for long-time ESOL providers like SCS, thousands of students are struggling to find new places to continue their English studies. Queens reporter Haidee Chu, THE CITY, spoke to Johan Lopez, SCS’ Director of Adult and Immigrant Services, and Lena Cohen, senior policy analyst at United Neighborhood Houses, about New York City’s new funding approach to ESOL classes and how that is impacting students. Read THE CITY article online here.
Photo above by Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY.
In this two-part miniseries podcast, Scientific American’s Science Quickly explores the challenges caregivers face and the ways they can find support. SCS’s Caregiver Support Program features prominently in part 2, which includes audio and interviews with SCS staff members and family caregivers who participate in our programs.
Part 1: Navigating the Struggles and Joys of Caring for Aging Loved Ones
Part 2: Balancing Long-Term Caregiving with Personal Well-Being
If you or someone you know is a family caregiver, contact us at 877-577-9337 or carenyc@scsny.org to learn how we can help. Click here for more information about our Caregiver Support Program. Browse our caregiver events here.
The Sunnyside Post Mile returns Saturday, October 26!
The Halloween-themed run/walk event takes place in Sunnyside, Queens. The event begins with a ceremony at 9:30 am, with the Sunnyside Post Mile beginning at 10 am, and the children’s dash events at 10:45 am. Although not required, participants are encouraged to dress up in Halloween costumes. The mile-long race route begins near Lou Lodati Park on 43rd Street and continues along Barnett Avenue, 48th Street, and Skillman Avenue, ending on Skillman Avenue near Lou Lodati Park.
The Sunnyside Post Mile is presented by Schneps Media and Queens Post, and organized by the Woodside-Sunnyside Runners. Funds raised support Sunnyside Community Services.
Tickets are on sale now for $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $15 for children, plus processing fees. Buy your tickets here.
Read more about the Sunnyside Post Mile in the Sunnyside Post.
Photo by John Marino. Follow him on Instagram at twocansam4.
On August 23, students from Woodside Houses and the nearby community were given free backpacks to help them prepare for the upcoming school year. The event was organized by Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas and was supported by staff from New York State Senator Michael Gianaris’ office, Elmhurst Hospital, and SCS, all working together to ensure the event’s success.
SCS was among six organizations that have seen their funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs cut due to changes in how New York City awards funding. In fiscal year 2024 (which ended in June), SCS offered 39 classes. This fiscal year, unless additional sources of funding can be secured, SCS will only be able to offer three classes. Daniel Parra, a reporter from City Limits, an independent, investigative news source, explores this important issue in a recent article. Read the article in English here. Lea la versión en español aquí.
Photo above: An ESOL class at St. Nicks Alliance in Brooklyn. Photo by Adi Talwar, City Limits.
This year, Sunnyside Community Services celebrates 50 years of lighting up lives with our programs. We hope you can join us for our 50th anniversary celebration. To become a sponsor or learn more, call 929-335-7849 or email mguzman@scsny.org.
Representative Nydia Velázquez provided $450,000 in federal funding to renovate SCS’ building in Sunnyside. Building improvements will include upgrades to several bathrooms to make them ADA compliant, modernizing the HVAC system, and minor renovations to improve acoustics in six classrooms. Construction is expected to start in 2025. Read more in the Sunnyside Post article here.