We enrich lives and strengthen communities through services and engagement for individuals of all ages, beginning with those most in need.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Spring/Summer 2024
Sunnyside Community Services has been serving communities since 1974
Celebrating 50 Years!
Fifty years ago, in 1974, a dedicated group of local residents founded Sunnyside Community Services.
Our organization started as a senior center with 50 participants. The demand for a community center was so high, that by 1975, just one year after opening, membership in the senior center had doubled.
Today, we employ 1,241 staff members and serve more than 16,000 people throughout Queens. Alongside our extensive services for older adults, we offer a variety of programs for youth, families, immigrants, and caregivers.
Our reach has grown significantly since our humble beginnings in a church basement in Sunnyside. We now provide home care that is available citywide.
Our main locations are in Sunnyside and Long Island City, and we also run programs at Woodside Houses in Woodside, and schoolbased programs in Long Island
50 Years of Impact 1974
SCS founded as a small senior center with 50 participants.
City, Elmhurst, and Sunnyside. Beyond Queens, we offer caregiver services in Brooklyn and Staten Island.
While our organization has evolved tremendously over the past 50 years, our commitment to the community and to those in need has remained steadfast.
If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to us at 718-784-6173 or info@scsny.org.
SCS begins providing licensed home care services. 1975 1983
SCS starts offering after-school programs.
Letter From Our Executive Director
Dear Friends,
This year, we are proud to be celebrating our 50th anniversary!
We have expanded greatly since we opened in 1974. The growth of our organization over the years is a testament to the importance of our programs, the dedication of our staff and volunteers, and the unwavering support of the community.
Today, our commitment to addressing the needs of our community remains as strong as ever. Recently, staff and participants from our programs gathered at City Hall to rally for crucial funding for adult literacy education. Additionally, members of our Older Adult Center joined us at a demonstration advocating for better funding for senior services.
We know you stand with us in this vital work. Thank you for your support throughout the years.
Sincerely, Judy
Zangwill
above left: Members of the SCS Center for Active Older Adults rally at City Hall for increased funding for senior services.
Photo, top of first page: Students from SCS ESOL classes (English for Speakers of Other Languages) gather at City Hall to advocate for funding for adult literacy education.
Honoring Our Volunteers
Our wonderful volunteers, representing diverse ages and backgrounds, assist with various tasks such as decorating, serving meals, and administrative work, among others. On Volunteer Recognition Day in April, we celebrated their contributions with a special event. This year’s honorees (shown here with the Director of our Older Adult Center, Kerly Serrano) were Diego Arenas Barrio, Ana Gallardo, Jackie Shaldjian, and Pedro Velez.
SCS:
50 Years of Impact
1993
Sunnyside Home Care Project gains certification to train home health aides.
2001
Adult Day Services for older adults with cognitive disorders opens.
2003
SCS launches programs for caregivers.
Photo
Connecting Through Fashion
Throughout the year, we provide intergenerational activities that bring together older adults and students from our youth programs. This type of programming encourages different generations to learn from one another and build friendships.
Earlier this year, students from our 3-K and pre-K classes designed capes, crowns, and other accessories. They then showed off their creations in a fashion show for members of our Center for Active Older Adults.
Left and above:
Cosmetology students at Queens Technical High School used their styling skills to give manicures, haircuts, and facials to members of our Center for Active Older Adults.
UP Universal PreK opens. SCS begins running the Cornerstone Community Center at Woodside Houses.
Earth Day Clean-Up
SCS staff helped clean up the Sunnyside neighborhood for Earth Day. Focusing on 39th and 40th Streets, north of Queens Boulevard, the team gave special attention to rain gardens – planted areas on New York City sidewalks that are designed to collect stormwater. They collected more than 20 pounds of trash, helping to make our streets more attractive and improving the effectiveness of the rain gardens.
Byron Stookey 1933 – 2024
Byron Stookey, a founder of SCS and our first Executive Director, passed away on April 12, 2024, in Brattleboro, Vermont. He played a pivotal role in the early development of SCS, and his legacy continues to inspire our mission to support individuals in need.
2022
In partnership with TF Cornerstone, SCS opens a new space in Long Island City.
2024
SCS celebrates 50 years of service.
43-31 39th Street
Sunnyside, New York 11104
Board of Directors
Lisa Deller, President
Steve Leamer, Vice President
Javier Divorato, Treasurer
Nikita Airen, Secretary
Ronald F. Cavalier
Joseph Conley
Leslie Heredia
Shweta Jain
Amit Kalra
Ronak Lathia
Gerald Lederman
David Levin
Dina Marenstein
Sharmeela Mediratta
Leo Mensah
Ned Steele
Executive Director
Judy Zangwill
Caregiver Conference
In April, we collaborated with New York Presbyterian Hospital to host our Caregiver Conference at the Queens Botanical Garden. This free event included presentations about dementia and the latest advancements in dementia research.
If you are a caregiver, and would like to learn more about our services, contact us at 877-577-9337 or carenyc@scsny.org.
Contact Info
PHONE: 718-784-6173
TDD/TTY: 800-662-1220
FAX: 718-784-7266
EMAIL: info@scsny.org
WEBSITE: www.scsny.org
Facebook.com/SCS4NY
Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) is a community-based nonprofit centered on the belief that every person deserves meaningful support to achieve their aspirations — especially struggling families and individuals of all ages. SCS serves a diverse community of over 16,000 people of all ethnicities and income levels throughout Queens.