Tags: COVID-19, The 1906 Project

Jamaica, NY – On April 27th and 28th nearly 400 local residents received free COVID-19 testing at York College Performing Arts Center parking lot as part of a local effort sponsored by The 1906 Project, Inc., to help provide Southeast Queens residents with the necessary information to help combat the virus. 

- Press Release -

(Jamaica, NY) — The 1906 Project, Inc., celebrated the holiday season with local families by providing free gifts and entertainment to more than 300 children during the 10th Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway & Magic Show at The Saratoga Family Inn homeless shelter in Southeast Queens.

Emmy-Award Winning TV Personality Julian Phillips hosted the event where scores of children and their families temporarily housed at the shelter enjoyed music, food and the magic show.

President Jean Duchatellier said that The 1906 Project is able to assist local communities and help develop tomorrow’s leaders by partnering with individuals, local businesses and other not-for-profit organizations.

Duchatellier told the packed audience at the December 20th event that “we are here because we care.”

“We are proud of our partnership with The Saratoga Family Inn and their continued commitment to help children and families,” Duchatellier said.

The Saratoga Family Inn is the largest family homeless shelter in the city serving as temporary home to more than 250 families and 375 children.

Delivering an inspirational message championing family values, The 1906 Project Board Member Attorney Everett Hopkins told the audience to stay encouraged and prepare for the brighter days ahead.

“We want you to know that we believe in you,” said Hopkins of the Hopkins Law Group, LLC. “You can do anything, if you stay focused and keep working hard.”

Other participants, included: The 1906 Project Board Members CPA Jeff Terry and Raymond Gamble, local Community Advocate Fred T. Simmons and Civil Rights Attorney Eric Sanders of the Sanders Firm, P.C.

“The most important thing is that we were able to bring happiness to children and families that could use a little holiday cheer,” said Attorney Sanders, who makes an annual contribution to the event. “I want to thank The 1906 Project, Inc., for their efforts to help our communities.”

Contact: 1906 Project, Inc. | Jean Duchatellier | (917) 309-8283
Curtis Taylor at (646) 741–9615 | curtismediapr@gmail.com@gmail.com

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The 1906 Project, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization working to build stronger neighborhoods in Southeast Queens by partnering with individuals and institutions to advance quality local service initiatives that help develop tomorrow’s leaders.

Tags: Toy Giveaway, Magic Show, Face Painting, Christmas, The 1906 Project

- Press Release -

(Queens, NY) — The 1906 Project, Inc., and Sheltering Arms recently distributed dozens of free Thanksgiving meals to the needy in Southeast Queens as part of a local initiative to reduce the number of food insecure families in the borough, event sponsors announced.

The Fourth Annual Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway provided full-course holiday meals to individuals and families expected to feed between 300-500 people, officials said. The meal baskets were distributed on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at the Sheltering Arms Family Resource Center at 107-14 Liberty Avenue in Ozone Park, officials said.

The Thanksgiving Baskets Giveaway is a part of efforts across the nation by individual organizations to combat hunger.

Statistics from the New York City Coalition Against Hunger show an estimated 1.4 million New Yorkers living in households lacking sufficient food.

Jean Duchatellier, president of the 1906 Project, Inc., a Southeast Queens-based not-for-profit organization, said that local and national hunger statistics show some people are struggling to put food on the table.

“We need to do all we can to reduce the number of families living in food insecure households,” Duchatellier said. “Sheltering Arms has been a consistent partner and longtime advocate when it comes to providing community services and delivering resources to those in need.”

Since 1831, Sheltering Arms has worked to ensure that vulnerable children and families receive the care they need to remain free of violence, abuse and a cycle of generational poverty.

Elizabeth McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of Sheltering Arms, said that the partnership with The 1906 Project, Inc., continues to deliver results for the Southeast Queens Community.

“We are committed to helping children, families and our city’s most vulnerable populations recover from loss, abuse, neglect, and poverty. McCarthy said. “By partnering with the 1906 Project to provide food and other critical supports, we can free our children and families to focus on what is most important: healing and strengthening family bonds so they can reach their greatest potential. Together we can build stronger futures and put an end to hunger, abuse and neglect in our Queens community."

In Queens, an estimated 13.3 percent, or 300,190 local residents were food insecure; or did not have access, at times, to enough food for an active, healthy life for all household members, according to recent data from Feeding Families, an advocacy organization that works to end hunger and feed America through a nationwide network of member food banks.

Ray Gamble, a 1906 Project, Inc., Board Member, said that while recent data shows Queens has the least amount of food insecure individuals in New York City, “we must continue to work together to eliminate hunger and all forms of neglect.

“One individual or family going without food is too many,” Gamble said. “No effort is too small when it comes to helping those in need. We are again honored to work again with Sheltering Arms. They have proven to be a great champion for the Southeast Queens community.”
Contact: Jean Duchatellier, The 1906 Project, Inc. | (917) 309-8283
Mohan Sivaloganathan, Sheltering Arms | (212) 886-5604

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The 1906 Project, Inc., is a not-for-profit organization working to build stronger neighborhoods in Southeast Queens by partnering with individuals and institutions to advance quality local service initiatives that help develop tomorrow’s leaders.

Sheltering Arms strengthens the education, well-being, and development of 24,000 vulnerable children and families across New York City each year so that everyone has the support and opportunity needed to maximize their potential. Through innovation and partnerships, Sheltering Arms has enabled low-income children and families to take steps toward brighter futures, free from the cycle of generational poverty, since 1831.

Tags: Thanksgiving, Feeding Families, Holiday Meal Baskets, The 1906 Project

COMMUNITY NEWS

(Springfield Gardens, NY) - Oscar Hopkins recently celebrated his 50th year working as a licensed barber in the Queens and Brooklyn communities.

Hop, as he is called by his dedicated customers opened his first barbershop in 1966.
Since the early 1970s the successful entrepreneur has been Owner/Operator of The Hopkins Barbershop on Merrick Blvd., in Springfield Gardens, Queens.

The barbershop has served an estimated half-a-million customers.

Hopkins is credited with giving scores of young men a future by teaching them the barber trade.

A native of Sumter, South Carolina and Korean War Veteran, Hopkins attributes his success to faith, family, hard work and having a plan.

Hopkins said it wasn’t always easy. He credits his late wife and childhood sweetheart, Novell, for her support and encouragement during challenging times.

Contact: 1906 Project, Inc. | Jean Duchatellier | (917) 309-8283
Curtis Taylor at (646) 741–9615 | curtismediapr@gmail.com@gmail.com

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Tags: Hopkins Barbershop

COMMUNITY NEWS

Scores of local youths put on a tennis exhibition as part of the Annual Youth And Tennis Academy fundraiser to bring awareness and generate public support for the not-for-profit program housed at Roy Wilkins Park in Jamaica, officials said.

As parents, elected officials and local civic leaders looked on, the young players showcased their tennis skills serving, volleying, and hitting impressive forehands and backhands from the baseline.

“The purpose of the organization is to train and mentor our kids in not only learning to play tennis but to develop valuable life skills including developing friendships and working with others,” said Bill Briggs, the program’s executive director and legendary youth fitness advocate who founded the program in 1972.

Local principals, community leaders and elected officials were present as the budding tennis aces received gold medals acknowledging their achievements in the Tennis Academy housed at The Roy Wilkins Park Tennis Center at 177th Street & Baisley Boulevard in Jamaica.

Special Guests included Dr. Ola Akinboboye of the Queens Health Institute, Jeff Terry of The 1906, Project Inc., Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and New York State Senator Leroy Comrie, among others.

“The Youth And Tennis program is a community institution here in Southeast Queens,” Comrie said. “It tutors so many children. My children were here and benefited. I would encourage everyone to be involved to help them whether it is volunteering or helping with fundraising. It is an excellent program here at Roy Wilkins Park and other schools throughout Queens.”

The Youth & Tennis Academy holds year-round clinics both indoors and outdoors in the Winter Tennis Bubble. The children receive personal and group instruction for a small registration fee, subsidized through a variety of funding sources, including local government, corporate and individual sponsors, officials said.

More than 30,000 youths have participated in the program since its inception.

The Youth and Tennis Academy continues to expand with the new Early Exposure Initiative focusing on gifted students in schools to develop a sustainable pipeline of local talent and to promote youth fitness through tennis. Currently, there are 16 public schools in Districts 28 and 29 participating in the program, officials said.

Briggs said it takes the entire community to keep the program operating.

“Many of our children have gone on to college with some playing on the professional circuit,” Briggs said. “It takes courage and discipline to be a part of our program. I am proud of every one of our kids and the commitment the community, city, parents and children have made through the years to make this event and the program a success.”

For additional information about registration, volunteering or making a donation, please call: (718) 658-6728 or E-mail: youthandtennis@msn.com.

Contact: 1906 Project, Inc. | Jean Duchatellier | (917) 309-8283
Curtis Taylor at (646) 741–9615 | curtismediapr@gmail.com@gmail.com

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Tags: Tennis, Roy Wilkins Park, Youth, Queens Heart Institute

- Press Release -

More Than 250 Children Treated To Magic Show, Toys & Face Painting
(Jamaica, NY) - More than 250 children enjoyed an early Christmas and were treated to toys and face painting as part of the Eighth Annual Christmas Toy Giveaway & Magic Show holiday celebration at the Saratoga Family Inn homeless shelter in Southeast Queens.

The children, ranging in all ages, were also treated to food and music but the highlight of the fun-filled evening was the live magic show where several of the young audience members were called to the stage to participate.

“For eight years we have had the privilege of putting this event together working with the staff at the Saratoga Family Inn,” said Jean Duchatellier, president of the 1906 Project, Inc. “These children and their families have faced challenges so it warms your heart when you are able to bring smiles to their faces and families during this holiday season.”

The 1906 Project, Inc., a local not-for-profit organization sponsored the event held at The Saratoga Family Inn in Jamaica Queens near John F. Kennedy Airport on December 22nd.

The organization works to build stronger neighborhoods in Southeast Queens by partnering with individuals and institutions to advance quality local service initiatives that help develop tomorrow’s leaders.

City Councilman Donovan Richards, who donated toys to the event, said, “The holiday season is a time for giving, particularly to those who are less fortunate, which is why it is important that we never forget to make sure every child in the community has a gift to open on Christmas morning.

“I’d like to thank all the members of the community for donating toys to my office and the 1906 Project, Inc., for putting together another great event for the families at the Saratoga Family Inn,” Richards said.

The Saratoga Family Inn is one of the largest family homeless shelters in New York City providing temporary housing to more than 250 families and 375 children, officials said. Nationally, an estimated 2.5 million children are homeless, according to the National Center on Family Homelessness.
Other event co-sponsors included former New York Jet and OTH Resources, Inc., President & CEO Michel Faulkner, Eva Duzant, president of EG Edwards & Associates and Attorney Eric Sanders of the Sanders Firm P.C.

Faulkner said, “This Christmas is all about giving and we are very grateful for the opportunity to imitate God’s character in every area.”

Sanders said it was a privilege to participate and give back to the community.

“This makes you humble and I am happy that I could make a small contribution to such a worthy event,” Sanders said. “These children are our future so it very encouraging to see such tremendous turnout from the community.”

Special guests and volunteers included, Herlema Owens, president of Association of Women Construction Workers of America, Inc., and Lourdes M. Ventura, president of the Queens County Women’s Bar Association.

Ventura said, “This is a great event that gives the children an opportunity to see that they are loved and appreciated. And, it is always wonderful to see children laughing and playing. This is a very positive event not just for the Southeast Queens community but speaks to what makes New York great.”

Local Attorney Everett Hopkins of the Hopkins Law Group, an executive board member of the 1906 Project Inc., lauded the effort made by local elected officials and civic leaders during the busy holiday season to support the children.

“The Saratoga Family Inn is a special place that helps families get back on their feet,” Hopkins said. “The local elected officials and community leaders being here is the best holiday gift these children and their families could receive. It shows the power of working together as a community.”

The 1906 Project, Inc., has given out more than 1,500 toys to children in Southeast Queens during the past eight years.

Contact: 1906 Project, Inc. | Jean Duchatellier | (917) 309-8283
Curtis Taylor at (646) 741–9615 | curtismediapr@gmail.com@gmail.com

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Tags: The 1906 Project, Christmas, Toy Giveaway, Magic Show, Face Painting