Gemma Cullen Volunteer at Sunnyside Community Services COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Gemma Cullen does secretarial work in the Social Services department at Sunnyside Community Services, a social service agency providing assistance to those in need through programs for senior citizens, home care or afterschool programs, among others. PERSONAL: Cullen was born and raised in Sunnyside. After retiring [...]
Katie Ellman President, Green Shores NYC COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Green Shores NYC is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit community organization that works to improve and maintain the East River waterfront in Queens. As president, Katie Ellman leads a team of volunteers in their mission to sustain the waterfront by advocating for safe public parks, green spaces, street trees [...]
Star of Queens: Xavier Arthur Mentor at Forest Dale Inc.’s Fathering Initiative and Co-parenting Class COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: An alumnus of Forestdale Inc. himself, Arthur gives back to the program by mentoring parents currently enrolled in the Fathering Initiative and Co-Parenting Class, where he gives advice based on his previous experience. Whether it’s conflicts between parents [...]
Connie Arroyo Volunteer, Astoria Park Alliance COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Connie Arroyo contributes to the Astoria Park Alliance by attending monthly meetings and helping out with activities including cleaning up the beach along Shore Boulevard and helping organize the Astoria Shore Fest. The Fest was started four years ago and takes place over three Sundays in August and [...]
Star of Queens: Tatiana Grobelkiewicz Volunteer, Heavenly Angels Animal rescue in Ozone Park COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Tatiana Grobelkiewicz’s duties at the shelter consist of walking the dogs, cleaning the cages, assisting customers and helping out at events that the shelter participates in. She also gets to exercise her passion for photography by taking photos of the [...]
Star of Queens: Ron Coen President, Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: The Forest Hills Volunteer Ambulance Corps serves the neighborhoods of Forest Hills and Rego Park. As president, Ron Coen says it’s all about increasing availability to the community. He places a particular importance on ensuring people who are new to the neighborhoods the [...]
Andrew Rocco President of College Point Civic/Taxpayers Association COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: According to its website, the purpose of the College Point Civic/Taxpayers Association is to “improve the quality of life in our neighborhood.” Rocco contributes to this effort by helping to handle issues addressed at Community Board 7 meetings. Among these include advocating for small business [...]
Gangster lore permeates the streets of Queens: the land on which Juniper Valley Park in Queens now stands was seized from alleged World Series-fixer Arnold Rothstein’s estate over back taxes; “Goodfellas” was based on characters and events from Ozone Park; and dozens of gangsters’ graves pepper the city’s cemeteries — including Charles “Lucky” Luciano. Mere [...]
Edward Babor Member, Community Board 1 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Edward Babor has been a member of Community Board 1 for 10 years. He is also a board member of the Astoria Civic Association and has served as president of the Taminent Regular Democratic Club for the past 15 years. He sits on the board at the [...]
Amy Tam-Liao, market manager Queens Community House Pomonok Center Community Involvement: Amy Tam-Liao is the director of community services at the Pomonok Center for the non-profit Queens Community House. She manages the Pomonok community-run farmer’s market. As director of community services, Tam-Liao organizes workshops and classes, helps with housing assistance, participates in the Pomonok Cancer [...]
