Commonpoint Queens Sam Field Center

We’ve waited 16 months for this dayit feels great to have older adult programs back in our building

Interested in learning more about your family's history prior to their arrival in the US? Learn how to trace your roots Monday with our free virtual workshop in partnership with the Center for Jewish History! Learn more and register at https://www.commonpointqueens.org//tracing-your-roots-at-/

Happy Independence Day!

We're excited to be hosting a Free Virtual Fitness Week Tuesday - Friday so you can beat the heat and get fit in the comfort of your home! Try yoga, kickboxing, Zumba, and more before the start of our summer package - learn more at https://www.commonpointqueens.org/commonpoint-queens-at-ho/

The first week of camp was and soooo much more! Thanks to everyone who made it so special, we can’t wait for week 2!

We're having a GREAT first week playing and making new friends at Nursery Camp!

Happy Purim! Our celebrations may look different this year but they haven't stopped - our Island Quest Day Camp campers baked Hamentaschen virtually with Bakers & Shakers, our volunteers delivered Mishloach Manot to Holocaust survivors, and even our Respite seniors dressed in costume on Zoom!

Tomorrow is the last day for NYC youth ages 9-24 to vote in #ItsOurMoney participatory budgeting, and our Future Focus Workshop Series is only 38 votes away from receiving $20,000 in funding! If you or someone eligible you know has not yet voted, you can do so at https://www.participate.nyc.gov//f/24/budgets/1/projects/36

Join us Friday at 5pm for an interactive Slam Poetry Workshop with Generation Verb for all ages in honor of Black History Month! Learn more and register at https://www.commonpointqueens.org//slam-poetry-workshop-w/

Hey Commonpoint Queens volunteers! We're thrilled to share that we're partnering with Cabot Creamery Co-operative - who has a program where our volunteers can log their hours and be eligible to receive a gift package, which in turn makes us eligible to win a grant! Special thanks to rock star volunteers Irene and Chris for participating in this program, you can register and log your hours at https://rewardvolunteers.coop/

Congratulations Eileen! Where does the time go!?!?

NYC youth ages 9-24 have until February 26 to vote for our "Future Focus Workshop Series" in #ItsOurMoney youth participatory budgeting! Help us provide students across the five boroughs an opportunity to prepare for real world skills through learning essential information such as college preparedness, work readiness skills, and financial literacy by voting at https://www.participate.nyc.gov//f/24/budgets/1/projects/36

Honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through service with us at our MLK Day of Service! Join us in person to donate blood with New York Blood Center and deliver meals; complete an at-home creative project; or join us virtually to raise your voice in a singalong, learn about leadership, or learn from a panel featuring Kevin Livingston of 100suitsfor100men and Jason Sole of Humanize My Hoodie. Register at https://www.commonpointqueens.org/eve/mlk-day-of-service-2/

We are honored to have Ken - a parent in our community AND award-winning sports journalist who spent time with Newsday, CBS Sports, The Associated Press, and other publications - hosting a conversation with Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf on Thursday, January 21st. All community members are welcome to join us for this meaningful conversation about Jewish leadership in sports, sign up at https://www.commonpointqueens.org//in-conversation-with-m/

We are excited to introduce our new 12 week FREE Culinary Training and Job Placement Program at the Hub in Elmhurst - learn more at a Culinary Training Virtual Information Session tomorrow at noon!

Beginning January 19, Commonpoint Queens will deliver over 500 daily meals to households in need across Queens! We are looking for volunteers who are available on a weekday from 9am-12pm and able to make deliveries - please sign up at https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php and spread the word!

We kicked off a new session of Kidz fit, dance, basketball, baseball, and all sorts of sports classes at Sam Field this week, but it's not too late to register! Learn more about our youth sports offerings for children ages 4-14 at https://www.commonpointqueens.org//childrens-sports-class/.

Last night our Teen Council Youth Leadership group hosted their first hybrid meeting in almost 10 months! We were joined by 15 teens both in-person and virtually to celebrate significant moments throughout the quarantine and discuss how we can make an impact in the future!

Please join Commonpoint Queens and community leaders for an in-depth conversation about the Rising Economic and Social Costs of Hunger and Unemployment. This virtual panel features: - Danielle Ellman, CEO, Commonpoint Queens - Marci Hunn, Program Director, The The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation... - Assemblymember Nily Rozic Moderated by David Brand, Managing Editor, Queens Daily Eagle

Take a break with our new virtual Cultural Arts Speakers & Classes! Join us for speakers like Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf and comedian Michael Ian Black or classes in art, film, and religion, all from the comfort of your home. Learn more and register at commonpointqueens.org/cultural-arts.

Our clients and volunteers know that for those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic and need to support their families, our food pantry system is very, very good! Help #TransformALife at commonpointqueens.org/donate.

Yesterday's attack on the US Capitol has left us jarred, deeply disturbed and shocked. While we are reminded too frequently of the hate and ignorance that exists in our country, seeing confederate flags, swastikas and other symbols of racism and terrorism - in places reserved for our nation's important decision-makers - is something that we will never be able to forgive or forget. We will continue our daily work to fight against the evil that led to this attack, and we are ho...peful that our nation can heal together in the upcoming months and years. If you are feeling anxious or looking for a safe space to process your emotions with professional help, our CAPE Mental Health Clinic is always here to offer support and can be reached at 718-224-0566, or emailed at [email protected] We want to end this message by echoing sentiments shared by Stacey Abrams: While this terrible display of terror and meanness shakes us, let’s remember: the Jewish son of an immigrant (Jon Ossoff) & the first Black Senator from Georgia (Raphael Warnock), will join a Catholic POTUS & the first woman, Black + Indian VP in our nation’s capital.

Join us for the prayers and Beeswax candle making...you can find the beeswax instructional video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFiDvltvi1U&feature=youtu.be

Over the past few months, we have been consistently amazed by the ways our staff has stepped up to meet the need in our community. Your support will allow us to continue to provide the highest quality, comprehensive programs and services across Queens. Help us #TransformALife - become a Donor of Distinction by October 30 at commonpointqueens.org/donate!

Join us for a candle lighting with the Ellman family and mainstages!

Honor the legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and join us December 21 at 12pm for a virtual visit to the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center's exhibit Notorious RBG: The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg! Learn more and register at https://www.commonpointqueens.org//notorious-rbg-the-life/

You may know Leonard Bernstein as the composer of West Side Story of chief conductor of the NY Philharmonic. But to Jamie Bernstein, he was the father she loved. Join us Monday for Famous Father Girl: A Memoir of Growing Up Bernstein - learn more and register at https://www.commonpointqueens.org//cultural-arts-and-jewi/

The CommonPod Queens podcast is back! As you all know, we opened up our brand new workforce Hub in Elmhurst a couple of weeks ago. For our latest episode we were joined by Brynn McCormick, AVP of Adult Workforce programs, to talk about all of The Hub's offerings and the positive impact that this new facility will have on our community.

As Chanukah approaches, our team is delivering care packages with sufganiyot, gelt, and other Chanukah treats to 200 seniors in our community to help them feel the warmth of the holiday season! Thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who assembled and delivered packages - help us continue to #TransformALife at commonpointqueens.org/donate.

This was definitely the most unique #LightsOnAfterschool we've ever been a part of (and we've been a part of A LOT of them), and we just want to thank our hard working staff for making it so special. In a world that has been more virtual than in-person, we are so grateful to have such a caring and talented team, and the best children and families who continue to show us the importance of our after school programs...wherever they may take place!

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever to donate blood. We are proud to partner with New York Blood Center for a Thanks for Giving Blood Drive November 8 at Sam Field. Register at https://donate.nybc.org/don/schedules/drive_schedule/282738.

The Pandemic has had a devastating impact on so many of our families and community members. We're here to help. Special thanks to The New York Times for helping to tell - sadly - one of the many stories of great need in our community and help raise awareness around the important work that we are doing.

Throughout the pandemic, Commonpoint Queens has not stopped doing critical work in the community, providing meals for isolated seniors, childcare for families, and job opportunities for those struggling to find employment. Now we are asking for your help to #TransformALife - become a Donor of Distinction by October 30 at commonpointqueens.org/donate!

Learn about tax benefits at a virtual New York City Department of Finance Homeowner & Renter Benefit presentation with Senator John C. Liu, Assemblymember Ed Braunstein, Council Member Paul A. Vallone, and Queens Community Board 11 October 21 at 4pm.

We're so excited for the renovations that are happening out at HKC!

Tomorrow is the deadline to register to vote in New York! Register at nycvotes.turbovote.org and be sure to make a voting plan to cast your ballot as a safe and informed voter. commonpointqueens.org/your-vote-counts

We're LIVE at the HUB OPENING RIBBON CUTTING!

Tomorrow is a HUGE day for Commonpoint Queens, as we'll be joining UJA-Federation of New York to cut the ribbon on our BRAND NEW Workforce Hub in Elmhurst! Tune in at 10:30am on Facebook Live!

Join us Monday for a virtual lecture on The Use of Force and the Police with retired NYPD Detective James Coll to understand police use of force through the Constitution and legal framework https://www.commonpointqueens.org//the-use-of-force-and-t/

Commonpoint Queens has been getting the word out to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, sharing information, giving out free masks, and encouraging people to get tested as more sites are now open. Thanks to CBS New York for their coverage, you can watch the full video from yesterday's news at https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/09/30/nyc-covid-19-cases/