Always a welcoming and supportive place, Commonpoint opens its doors to the community that surrounds it!
I love that Commonpoint stays true to its mission of providing services to all people. You see it in all their communications, which tells me they are thoughtful in ensuring they represent people of all backgrounds to highlight to donors like myself. I appreciate that, and it makes me feel welcome. Welcome to be a partner to support and drive the mission forward, and welcome to come through their doors if I ever find myself in a place needing help getting back on my feet.
Commonpoint has been an incredibly valuable resource for not only my clients, but for all Queens residents. I am so grateful for the work they do and the resources they are able to provide. Commonpoint has so many services that my clients have come to rely on. Thank you, Commonpoint Queens!
My twin sons have grown up at Commonpoint Queens. Their staff, activities and beautiful facilities are phenomenal! My sons attended their afterschool programs, their buddy basketball and soccer programs, learned to swim, went to summer camp and as well attended a variety of celebrations throughout the years. I always recommend Commonpoint to my friends and family that have young children looking for activities. Best of all is the fact that they are a diverse and inclusive organization that have allowed my sons with Autism to always have a place where they felt they belonged.
I have been a member since the inception of the Central Queens (Y) in Forest Hills. As the community became Commonpoint, it grew and offered new opportunities.
However, when new situations arose during the pandemic Commonpoint offered Zoom and hybrid for those at home or at the facility to further give additional services. The Zoom programs included exercise classes with skilled teachers, health discussions, socialization, Julliard concerts, virtual tours, lectures, etc., and any new ideas were included for new programs. We can now take advantage of all the programs offered from all across Commonpoint.
Through these years I have felt such great pride in Commonpoint serving the needs of all our different communities.
Very helpful during the pandemic providing meals to my
y family.. Programs & lunches are entertaining. Staff is very p)easant make U feel welcomed
As a senior and visually impaired person, I appreciate Commonpoint very much. They’re helpful and pleasant as they provide many services including food, social and educational opportunities
Our son attends Pre K at Commonpoint in Forest Hills. When my family and I moved to NY from Washington DC last year, the Executive Director of Commonpoint was one of the first people to let me know there were open spots available, and Mrs. Cando was so helpful in getting our son into the school. Our son absolutely loves going to school there, everything from greeting the people who run the front desk to the teachers and, of course, he loves all of his friends! When our son had a near fatal seizure at school last semester, the teachers knew exactly what to do to keep him safe. I truly believe they helped save his life! Everyone at Commonpoint were incredible supportive. They would check in with us while Francis was recovering and welcomed him back with open arms when he returned to class! Commonpoint is a special place, it's like a family filled with people who truly care about the community they serve! It's an honor to write this review for them!
I needed help and I didn't even know it. I called Commonpoint Queens to set up my first ever therapy session. They were very welcoming and helpful. When I started going in my therapist helped me identify the things I wanted to work on and gave me advice so I could help myself. I have been going for the past 7 months and I am proud to say that today was my last meeting! I know I will always have Commonpoint for anything and they will always be there for me as a tool to continue my growth and the growth of the community. I am so grateful to Commonpoint Queens for all the good they do, it's more than any of us could even imagine
As a government partner of the Samuel Field Y and Commonpoint Queens, we could not ask for a better community resource/partner to help meet the needs of our constituents. Our office routinely refers cases to Commonpoint for people to get connected with necessary resources, and frequently lean on them when organizing community cleanups, food distributions, supplies giveaways, and other outreach events. On top of the assistance they provide our office, Commonpoint offers youth services, senior programs, helps with community garden projects, and runs their own food pantry that has helped countless residents, especially after people faced financial complications during the pandemic. Commonpoint is completely interwoven into the fabric of our community, and they empower people to make our neighborhoods what they are.
My husband and I have volunteered at Common Point since the spring of 2020. Common Point provides a tremendous range of services for people in Queens including early childhood programs, senior programs (including memory care), employment placement and training, a food pantry, meal deliver and ongoing clothing programs. We have seen how their diligent efforts have improved many lives. Their services are provided with great competence and quality. We highly respect and recommend this charity
they work with our students to create programs to give back to our community. the staff is amazing. the facility is clean and so welcoming. A great program and a great place to be
As a school social worker I have had many positive experiences with Commonpoint Queens.
First and foremost, I am grateful to Judy for arranging for many of our families who experience food insecurity to shop at the Food Pantry at the Tannenbaum Family Pool. In instances when families have not been able to get to the pantry accommodations were made to get food to them. Families are so appreciative!
Also, Commonpoint Queens has offered parents in our school community well paying jobs at the center. Finally, families and our students are able to access mental health services through Common Point Queens.
It is said that a wedding is a great place to meet one's future spouse. But I say it is Camp Poyntelle. After years as a Poyntelle camper, camper worker, and then office manager, I met my brother's counselor. It wasn't long after then that we were married!
And since then Camp Poyntelle has always had a special place in our hearts. Not only was it the place where we met, but it is also the camp where we experienced dedicated staff, friendships, new experiences, and many special summers.
Over the years we have watched how Poyntelle has grown with the times; expanded and added new activities and experiences for the campers. But some things have not changed - a caring staff; extraordinary programs and a summer where life-long friendships are made.
There is a special magic at Camp Poyntelle. And to have been touched by it is a blessing we are forever grateful.
I am a member of the pool club and a recurring donor to Commonpoint Queens. I am a strong supporter of all the programs and resources of Commonpoint. They give food to the hungry and support to all who need it. My wife and I both participate in the NORC (naturally occurring retirement community) they operate as well as their Resilience program for Holocaust Survivors. Commonpoint allows me to speak with and reach out to young people of all ethnicities and religions about my experience as a Holocaust Survivor. I think the people who work here are terrific.
Commonpoint is the place to go if you want to better yourself in any way they can offer. I've been part of one of the classes for adults. It has been the most meaningful experience one can encounter. The people working there are motivated by passion and heart.
They're doing a fantastic job at helping people better themselves, 24/7. I recommend this to everyone. It doesn't matter where or when you come, they're always willing to help.
Commonpoint Queens has been an instrumental part of the outreach in my office. I call them the crown jewel of Queens.
Both the Bay Terrace Pool and Athletic Complex and the Sam Field Center serve the constituents in my District. They offer services and recreation for everyone, from young children to older adults and beyond!
Most notably, Commonpoint Queens offers an Adolescent Mental Health Wing and an Older Adult Center. Other services include youth workforce programs, developmental disabilities programs, and cultural arts in senior centers. There has never been a more critical time for these services! I applaud their dedication, and I thank them for their help.
- Council Member Vickie Paladino, 19th District, Queens
AARP Foundation Tax Aide
As one of only two AARP Foundation Tax-Aide District Coordinators for Queens, I supervised 37 volunteers who prepared FREE tax returns at Commonpoint Queens, Samuel Field YMHA between Feb 1 and April 15, 2022. Our goal is and has been to help the low income and elderly taxpayers in our communities, who cannot afford to pay for the service.
Before Covid, we prepared an average of 2500 free tax returns in person at 13 branches of the Queens Libraries.When we went on lockdown March 2019, we had already prepared 1500.
In 2020 and 2021 - still in lockdown, no public gatherings, all tax returns were done virtually.
Our elderly and/or low income did not have the devices or tech knowledge to help our volunteers working from home. We did a dismal 150 or so returns in the whole season in all of Queens.
Preparing for 2022, our volunteers went thru the extensive training, weekly, starting in October 2021, with the hope that the Queens Libraries will reopen for in person tax help.
We soon realized that this will not happen and we started looking for alternate sites. We contacted councilmen, churches, synagogues., senior centers. We found nothing.
Luckily one of our volunteers lives near Commonpoint Little Neck and noticed that they support a Food Pantry in an area accross the main building- the Tannenbaum Pool. May be they can accomodate us also? We contacted the director immediately . She showed us a large room, used only in the summer season. It was perfect. We will be able to follow all the Covid safety instructions required by AARP, IRS, NYC, CDC. as well as requiring vaccinations, wearing masks, gloves, counter shields and Sanitizers on hand. Taxpayers were allowed to drop off their documents, leave the premises, and return hours later to pick up complete returns. In person contact was reduced to 5 minutes.
We received the OK to proceed.
An amazing 10 volunteers prepared 324 tax returns for Tax Year 2021.
Without Commonpoint the number would have been ZERO. The 10 weeks of training were worth it. The volunteers are thankful that they were able to use their knowledge and that their hard work paid off.
In addition to needing the space to work, we needed to spread the word, advertise. Here also Commonpoint came to the rescue. They sent hundreds of flyers with the pantry deliveries, affixed posters on their front door and contacted other local community help centers. They fielded phone calls; referred taxpayers thru their Social services; helped set up and clean the space every week; and in general gave us everything we needed to ensure that everyone who contacted them is being taken care of.
The taxpayers we helped came from areas throughout Queens. They ranged from low-income, elderly, and non-English speakers.
Sometimes residents needed advice with non-tax issues. The various backgrounds of our volunteers enabled us to answer questions about applications for Real Estate tax reductions for the elderly; undocumented alien registrations with IRS; Social Security and other senior issues. At times, social workers from Commonpoint were able to assist us with homebound taxpayers , who previously had no choice but to pay for a professional to come to their homes.
Many elderly clients who called are on Social Security only and are not required to file federal or state taxes. They were advised to complete a simple form NYC210 that entitles them to $63.00 ($125 per couple) just for living in New York City. Most of them were able to fill out 4 years of this form netting them $252.00 for a single, $500 per couple. Many NYC residents were not aware of this until they called us- again through Commonpoint.
We are planning to return to Commonpoint, Samuel Field Center in 2023. So far, it's the only location available in Eastern Queens. Preparing free Income Tax returns for those who need it most; serving our communities ; having someone just say Thank You ; that is all the volunteers want. I have been serving as District Coordinator in the AARP program for 13 years, other volunteers range from 1 to 28 years of service. We would like to continue and as of this writing, Commonpoint will allow us to do so. We hope that their connections with other organizations will inform more Queens residents of this valuable service.
Lucette K.
I am amazed at the myriad services that Commonpoint provides. It truly fills many
necessary needs in the community. As a volunteer, I personally see the various offerings.
There is a group for young adults with special needs where numerous planned activities are held.Other times a trip is arranged , (parents or caregivers invited) . once to The Museum of Moving Image where the group enjoyed seeing and learning about film, tv, and video.
Last summer, Commonpoint opened a Pop-Up store in Bay Terrace. The main thrust was to provide business attire for aspiring workers and job applicants. The
store was replete with everything including shoes .
On Jewish Holidays food packages were delivered to people who were homebound , often including a token gift or card .
This is a small sampling of activities and services that this extraordinary organization offers. It really deserves to be lauded and recognized as one of the
top nonprofits.
Judy
I am an AARP volunteer tax preparer for low income and elderly citizens. Commonpoint graciously allowed us to use there space to meet with taxpayers and prepare their returns for free earlier this year. The staff was accomodating and the space was ideal. We are looking forward to returning next year to once again offer free tax preparation.
I was the Friday Site leader for the AARP Foundation Tax Aide program. We were grateful for the opportunity to serve the residents of Queens with E-filing their taxes. All the Commonpoint Queens' staff were very helpful and cooperative. We look forward to working with them and serving the community next year. Thankyou. Kay Payne
I joined Commonpoint Queens for the volunteer opportunity, I stayed for the people.
Last summer I was walking back home along 67 Rd in Forest Hills. It was noon and well above 90 degrees. This is when I noticed the line of people on the sidewalk, sweltering in the furnace of the street, right in front of the pantry. I didn't even think twice: on an impulse, I approached a person who seemed to be in charge and asked him if they needed volunteer help.
Two weeks later, I started helping at the pantry. I had never seen a pantry before and didn't really know what to expect. And yet I was truly flabbergasted by the quality of the food that was distributed. I am a bit of a healthy food maniac, so the first thing I noticed was the access to a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. The other surprise was the quantity that was distributed. Our clients could easily leave with 30 pounds of dry and canned goods, frozen fish or meat, eggs, milk, cheese, and produce--not to mention the occasional cakes and cookies. On some days, they could also leave with fresh produce and herbs from the Commonpoint Queens 100% organic veggie garden.
I have always thought that feeding people in need is a sacred deed. It is to give the gift of life. That could have been enough to incite me to stay, but that is not what really kept me going there every Monday at 8:30 am (I live across the street), rain, snow, freeze, or shine. I have volunteered before for other organizations, and I never stayed very long because of the people. The reason why I stay at Commonpoint Queens Pantry is because of the people, the staff, my fellow volunteers, and the "clients".
I was a manager for 18 years, and I know a good team when I see one. We are a good team. "A well-oiled machine" as some of my fellow volunteers like to call us. There is a wonderful camaraderie between volunteers. We are at Commonpoint Queens Pantry to serve the community together, to enjoy what we do together, and whenever possible, make our clients feel good for having spent time with us when they leave with what they needed to feed their families. As a former manager, I can also appreciate the way our managers relate to us: they trust us. They know we know what to do and they know we do it well without supervision, and they just let us do our best. They also trust us to come to them when we are in doubt. And they are very appreciative of the work we do. That is my kind of management!
But the pantry is not all there was for me at Commonpoint Queens, Forest Hills. What has unexpectedly become my main focus was the adjacent garden. Three gardens actually, a veggie garden which also serves the pantry, a native pollinator garden, and a native woodland garden. I am a gardener at heart but I live in an apartment. I desperately needed a garden. And there it was. A garden whose double purpose is to feed the community and educate children about plant life and the origin of foods, about pollination and native plants. And once again, I came in for the garden, and I stay for the people, in particular for Jonathan, the gardener extraordinaire. There is no hierarchy in Jonathan's garden. What he does, the volunteers can do if they know how. And if we don't know, he teaches us, clearly and patiently. I have never been so happy as when I started to care for that garden.
So, as the cliché would have it, Commonpoint Queens Pantry and its Garden, have become my home away from home. I feel in my backyard in the garden, and no matter how hard we work during the pantry rush hours, there is always a sense of a party in the air.
Commonpoint Queens has been an important part of my life for over ten years.
Exercise classes, volunteer opportunities, and enduring friendships have been a lovely outcome. I feel very blessed to have this wonderful community center in our neighborhood. During the past eighteen months the incredible, helpful staff have continued to be there for everyone. Thank you!
What a wonderful facility! I took a dance class at the senior center for over a year, until the pandemic prevented in-person gatherings. But I was not forgotten. All of the members of the senior center received phone calls to see how we were doing and if we needed anything. I was okay, but I learned how many were not.
As I got to know more, my respect and admiration for what Commonpoint Queens has accomplished led me to become a donor. As food insecurity became even more widespread, the number of meals they served/delivered increased exponentially. The staff and volunteers worked tirelessly to meet this ever-growing demand. No one was turned away and many were referred to Commonpoint Queens' newly opened “HUB" for follow-up assistance in key areas such as job skills, education, child care, etc., with the goal to become increasingly self-reliant.
I am proud to support this organization that puts clients first and tends to the community which it serves. I know I will continue to actively support their efforts.
The Sam Field Center has been a source of various assistance, advice and guidance in the over 30 year period I have been its neighbor. The center has grown and changed along with the growth and change of my personal needs and concerns.
In the early years, i sent my children to their summer camps, taking advantage of these top rated, sought after facilities. As I aged and moved toward retirement, I sought out the retirement presentations and guidance for that major life change.
By far, my most active involvement has been in the last 12 years post-retirement. This coincides with the creation of Commonpoint Queens. The scope, detail and quality of programs now available is astonishing. Food assistance, Zoom presentations, voter info, holiday festivities, exercise classes, entertainment etc., etc. The professional quality and range of activities is mind-boggling. There is definitely something for everyone. The staff members are highly qualified and available when needed. They are concerned and caring and go the extra mile.
When I moved to this area in the '80's, I considered the school system, transportation availability, and other traditional factors. I did not realize then that my "GOOD NEIGHBOR SAM" would wind up being the most valuable element for me and my family. I am indeed fortunate.
I have been a Central Queens member in Forest Hills since the Y opened many years ago.
I have watched this facility emerge as a shining beacon in the community. It made us so proud of the growth of Commonpoint. No need to list as we all know the goodness that the Y was founded on and how it has continued to stretch all the facilities to include the many new activities and satisfy the needs of everyone .and the listening to the voices of the participants and change when needed!
And now the pandemic and the extensive zoom programs, exercise, lectures, concerts friend parties, food pantry classes for our youngsters whose parents were front liners, vaccinations at one of our facilities and skilled hosts and teachers, and volunteers, and the staff who stayed at the y and managed all the rest, and on and on
Continuance only occurs with donations and with the help from the other donors
writing grants and getting aid from the community, and thus sharing with others the beauty that is our Commonpoint.
Sondra R.
I retired May 2019. I reached out to Commonpoint to find out what type of volunteer activities were available. One can volunteer for activities for a diverse range of people who need assistance. I served lunch to seniors, chaperoned social events for disabled young adults, helped set up a pop up store with clothes for young adults entering the workforce to obtain clothes for job interviews. I currently volunteer at the Food Pantry. Volunteering has given my life purpose.
It is wonderful to have an organization in Queens that provides a variety of services for people of every age group. It has been particularly necessary during covid. The staff at Commonpoint are dedicated, socially conscious and caring.
I retired in 2019 and was taking some of the exercise classes as the Y. When the pandemic hit I heard that Commonpoint needed volunteers with their own cars to deliver food to seniors in the Douglaston/Glen Oaks/Great Neck area. My husband and I volunteered to do that and we continued with the deliveries for several months. This was among the most rewarding experiences we have ever had. There were so many people for whom this was a vital lifeline. The people were immensely grateful for this help; especially since it meant they could avoid have to go shopping during the worst of the crisis.
When the delivery program ended we continued to volunteer by packing food at the food panty in Little Neck. We saw first hand the depth of the need for this service. We have also participated in some of the special short term projects staged by Commonpoint such as a clothing drive and packing school supplies.
Recently I began to volunteer helping at the Y with people in the early stages of Alzheimers and this is an exceedingly rewarding experience.
Commonpoint does so much for the Queens community and we encourage anyone who wants to become involved to do so.
Commonpoint Queens provides much-needed programming for their entire community. From preschool to memory care, their dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that everyone's needs are met. I joined Commonpoint as a board observer through UJA and after my tenure ended there was no hesitation to join as a full-time member. I am honored to be part of such an amazing organization that constantly innovates and whose staff gives so much of themselves to make sure the community is provided for.
I am relatively new to Commonpoint as a volunteer., but have been a consultant for 4 years teaching Tai Chi in little Neck, Whitestone and Flushing . As a former senior center director overseeing 150 volunteers I knew what I wanted if I were to volunteer.
Issac and Judy personafy what a caring, knowledgeable and informed volunteer coordinator should be. They know all the volunteer names and how they are involved within Commonpoint. Fern too is attentive, firm but caring when it comes to the consultants and programs. Barbara has always been available when I need asistance.
Before , during and going forward the programs have remained strong and viable inspite of the lack of inperson programs. Their outreach to so many people and families in need is truly remarkable.During a time of great need for job placement, food assistance, senior isolation, cild care, technical assistance and more so Commonpoint staff have stepped up to the plate and done what was needed and more so.
I have been impressed with the quality of service and the genuine cocern for everyone who walks through the door of Commonpoint It is important that we all recognize the need for such Not for Profit and they will only exist if people reach out not only as a volunteer but as a donor.
Elaine fleischman
Commonpoint Queens has been an incredibly important place for my family for three generations. They help everyone in the community from special needs programs, to school, to camp, to elder care, to feeding those less fortunate, and so much more. You would be hard pressed to find an organization that does more for the people of Queens.
In 2020, I newly retired and wondering what to do with my free time when the pandemic shut down NYC. Friends had recently started volunteering at the Commonpoint Y's food pantry and suggested that I contact the Y about sewing masks for healthcare workers, nursing homes, and Commonpoint staff. Sewing masks opened the door to other volunteer activities and I discovered the amazing work that Commonpoint performs daily.
The Commonpoint Y has multiple aspects, it provides support through job training, child care, and food delivery programs and it nurtures the mind and body with lectures and activities and volunteer opportunities. It is a place you should explore and utilize the wonderful services it offers.