queenschamber.org THIS IS QUEENSBOROUGH Woodside on the Move Celebrates its 40th Anniversary Gloria Medina, QCC Staff The Queens Chamber of Commerce congratulates Woodside on the Move on its 40th anniversary. There is a long, close relationship between Woodside on the Move and the Chamber, as the nonprofit community also one of its oldest affiliated organizations working to make Queens a stronger. Since 1976, Woodside on the Move has adapted to the needs of the Woodside and the Western Queens communities by zeroing in on residents’ biggest needs: affordable housing and after-school programs for working families. That’s on top of also providing local residents with pro bono legal clinics, after-school programs and summer camps, adult ESL, computer classes, and public events including street fairs and art festivals. The overarching goal of all these initiatives is to make Woodside and Western Queens a better place to live and to maintain and improve the community’s quality of life. “This organization started initially in response to the changes in the neighborhood and continues to change 14 to tackle the deterioration of the main commercial corridor,” he continued, “it now offers assistance with its affordable-housing services to after-school programs.” As part of the celebration, Woodside on the Move honored five community leaders for their work with the community. The Community Organizing Award was presented to the Urban Justice Center and CASA for helping to organize Stabilizing NYC, a coalition of 15 grassroots neighborhood organizations that joined together to combat tenant harassment and preserve affordable housing. The organization St. Pats for All was recognized with the Community Organizing and Activism Award for its work in organizing the annual St. Pat’s for All Parade, and Principal Vincent Vitolo from P.S. 152 received the Excellence in Education award for his work with elementary education over the past 11 years. The Small Business Award was presented to Maria Iglesias, owner and chef of La Adelita, a traditional family owned restaurant, and to Rena Avendula, manager of Payag, a Filipino Restaurant. Paul said the five honorees represent her organization’s different programs, and the awards serve as a call to action to encourage more people to become involved with Woodside on the Move. • • with a more vibrant community,” said Amy Paul, Executive Director of Woodside on the Move. “We offer different social services for families, seniors, and immigrants. But the biggest needs for the community are still affordable housing and after-school programs for working families.” Paul said the organization continues to evolve. Now, its affordable housing program has expanded to residents beyond Woodside, and most of the participants are from the Spanish-speaking countries. The members of the after-school program, on the other hand, reflect the diversity of languages of the residents living in Queens. “The families that we work with represent the Queens population,” said Paul. “Especially,” she added, “the new families that have moved to the neighborhood during the past 10 years.” Woodside on the Move received special recognition from local political leaders at its September 20 anniversary celebration. “It is truly an honor to partner with this organization, from celebrating our traditional Turkey Drive to the Toy Drive to the Coat Drive,” said State Senator Jose Peralta. “Although the organization began as a group group is not only a member of the QCC but is Armondo's Italian Restaurant ● Barnett Catering ● De Mole Restaurant ● Dexter Wines & Spirits ● F. Ottomanelli Burgers Belgian Fries ● Laguardia Plaza Hotel - The Pavilion Grille & Elements Lounge ● London Lennie's ● Neir’s Tavern ● Ray Cooney of Fire House Kitchen TV ● RW Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar ● Sabor de Cuba ● Schmidt's Confectionery ● Shake Shack ● Square Wine & Spirits ● Tom Cat Bakery ● Tad Wells, NYPD Chef ● Xahar Halal Thai ● Zenon Taverna For more information visit www.metroqueens.org/global-cuisine or call 718-441-6050 x. 201
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