News and Views – Fall/Winter 2023

We enrich lives and strengthen communities through services and engagement for individuals of all ages, beginning with those most in need.

NEWS AND VIEWS

Fall/Winter

2023

Sunnyside Community Services has been serving communities since 1974

Announcing the M. Joseph Levin Legacy Society We are pleased to announce that our planned giving program has been renamed to the M. Joseph Levin Legacy Society, in memory of M. Joseph Levin, a longtime pillar of the SCS community.

M. Joseph Levin was a member of the Board of Directors of Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) for 25 years, serving as both Secretary and as President of our Board during his tenure.

Born and raised in Vermont, Mr. Levin’s connection to Queens began as a teenager when he would visit his aunt and uncle in Sunnyside.

Mr. Levin had a distinguished law career, attending Cornell Law School, working in immigration law with the Legal Aid Society, and joining a private practice in Elmhurst, Queens where he remained for more than four decades. He specialized in estate planning, elder law, and real estate administration.

SCS renamed our planned giving program the M. Joseph Levin Legacy Society, honoring Mr. Levin’s dedication to the organization and his expertise in estate planning. Members of the Levin Legacy Society share his

Planned Giving:

commitment to SCS. “Our father was a friend to all,” said David Levin, son of M. Joseph Levin. “The naming of Sunnyside’s legacy society for him honors his own determination to serve his fellow New Yorkers.”

Legacy giving, also known as planned giving, includes gifts made from assets in one’s estate and requires some advanced planning. Legacy gifts are typically bequeathed to an organization upon a person’s death.

Anyone, no matter their financial situation, can make a difference through legacy giving.

To become a member of the Levin Legacy Society, please contact us at 929-335-7849.

when an individual makes a major gift as part of their overall financial or estate planning. This may include donations of securities, stocks, real estate, and property, as well as naming an organization as a beneficiary in wills, life insurance policies, IRAs, and pensions.

Letter From Our Executive Director Looking ahead, we are thrilled to share that we will celebrate Sunnyside Community Services’ 50th anniversary next year! This milestone is a testament to the enduring impact of our programs. Help us continue this essential work for the next 50 years by joining the Levin Legacy Society or by making a year-end gift today.

Dear Friends, Warm greetings to you as we approach the holiday season.

As I reflect on all we have accomplished in the past year, I think of the incredible impact your support made on the lives of those we serve. Thanks to your generosity, we have been able to provide our programs to people in need and create a community where individuals feel valued and supported.

Thank you for your continued support. I hope you and your loved ones have a joyous holiday season filled with warmth and laughter.

Sincerely, Judy Zangwill

Photo above left: Jonathan Forgash of Queens Together (second from right) organized a breakfast for 200 members of the SCS Center for Active Older Adults and ESOL students. Also pictured are Council Member Julie Won (third from left), Representative James McGovern of Massachusetts (center), SCS Executive Director Judy Zangwill (far right), and owners of local restaurant La Adelita.

Celebrating Caregivers

On November 4, we held our annual Caregiver Gala to celebrate caregivers and their tireless efforts in supporting those they love.

The afternoon included music, games, and a raffle with fun prizes.

The Caregiver Gala is more than just an evening of festivities; it’s a heartfelt tribute to those who make a significant difference in others’ lives every day. To learn more about our caregiver programs, visit www.scsny.org.

Caregivers in the U.S. Source: www.cdc.gov

14.5%

experienced 14 or more mentally unhealthy days in the previous month.

Championing Dignity

Superheroes and Princesses

We have added an Elder Justice Program to our wide array of services. The program is funded by NYC Aging and provides assistance for older adults experiencing abuse in Queens, along with measures to prevent abuse and empower older adults with the information and tools they need to recognize abusive situations. For more information, contact us at 718-392-0836 or via email at elderjustice@scsny.org.

Our pre-K and 3-K students always have so much fun dressing up for Halloween.

This year’s costumes included superheroes, princesses, a bee, a scarecrow, and Grogu (aka baby yoda).

Photo above: SCS staff and supporters gathered wearing purple for NYC Go Purple Day to show solidarity with those who have faced or are facing domestic violence.

Inspirational Visit

Left and above: Kids and adults participated in the 2023 Sunnyside Post Mile.

The annual event benefited SCS and was organized by the Woodside Sunnyside Runners, the Sunnyside Post, Queens Post, and Schneps Media. Photos by @TwoCanSam4.

17.6%

experienced 14 or more physically unhealthy days in the previous month.

U.S. Representative Nydia Velazquez stopped by our Beacon Community Center at P.S. 343Q in Sunnyside. She made time to visit with our ESOL students and spoke to them about her experience when she first came to New York City from Puerto Rico.

36.7%

got insufficient sleep (fewer than 7 hours in a 24-hour period).

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 Bill Darby Leslie Heredia Shweta Jain Amit Kalra Ronak Lathia Gerald Lederman David Levin Dina Marenstein Sharmeela Mediratta Leo Mensah Ned Steele

Executive Director Judy Zangwill

Give the Gift of Change Your gift this holiday season will help us continue to support individuals and families with life-changing initiatives such as immigration legal assistance, elder abuse prevention, caregiver support, activities for older adults, home health aide training, after-school programs, and much more.

To donate, visit us online at www.scsny.org/donate, call 929-335-7849, or mail a check to: Sunnyside Community Services Attn: Development Department 43-31 39th Street Sunnyside, NY 11104

Contact Info PHONE: 718-784-6173 TDD/TTY: 800-662-1220 FAX: 718-784-7266 EMAIL: info@scsny.org WEBSITE: www.scsny.org

Social Media Facebook.com/SCS4NY SCS4NY 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.