Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens of Astoria, New York

Catholic Charities, a national organization, helps people in their communities who are struggling by addressing the often complex issues at the root of their need. Catholic Charities’ clients are a diverse group of individuals and families with a wide variety of needs. Our full range of programs provides unique solutions to help different populations and delivers compassionate service without regard to race, ethnicity, income, gender, or religious belief.

Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens has been changing lives and building communities as it serves our neighbors in need with mercy and compassion. We currently sponsor programs and services for children and youth, adults and seniors, persons with developmental disabilities, those who are mentally ill and the isolated.

The Community Centers is the first line of access, creating a welcoming, hospitable, engaging environment with service and programs offered to provide clients with the tools they need for self-empowerment.

The delivery of core social services meets the increasing demand for basic needs, e.g. food, shelter and financial assistance, and ensures the goal of client autonomy. Workshops may be offered to enhance the knowledge of community members about issues of interest to them, e.g. parenting, financial literacy, health education, resume preparation, etc. When upon assessment it is concluded that we are unable to help a client with the direct services offered by the Community Center, a client is either linked to a Catholic Charities/CCNS program or affiliate (internal resource) or is referred to agencies outside of CCBQ (external resource). Sometimes there is a combination of referrals provided.

Programs offered at the Queens Community Center include (but are not limited to):

•Latin Success Through Education (Latino S.T.E.P. Up)-Enables Latino children/youth and families to acquire skills and tools that help them fully participate in education and community life.
•High School G.E.D. Instruction (conducted in Spanish)-Offers preparation classes which provide adult learners with instruction in subject areas and skills required to pass the GED/High School Equivalency exam.
•Mommy & Me (Mami y yo)-Works to break the cycle of poverty by providing low-income pregnant women and parents with young children under age of four with the support they need to raise healthy children.
•Casa de Apoyo-Works with pregnant families and parents in Corona and Astoria, Queens. The program serves families with children attending the Therese Cervini Head Start Center who also have infants and toddlers.
•Employment Support Group-Provides emotional support and resource development to those struggling to find employment.
•Discretionary ESL-Serves adults and students also have access to other social services and programs. This program has an open enrollment policy.
•ESOL Civic Immigration Services program offers free English classes to all immigrants. We also provide employability skills through job training and career preparation, computer classes, develop advanced college level English, and teach financial literacy . The programs also provide students with free legal advice about U.S. citizenship and other immigration services. Classes are offered mornings, afternoons, and evenings between Mondays to Thursdays.
•Food Pantry-We are home to one of the food pantries in CCBQ's Food Pantry Network and is held every Friday from 9:30 a.m. to noon.

There are many programs and workshops offered at the Community Center to provide clients with the tools they need for self-empowerment. The Community Center hosts many events that involve the greater Queens Community, including Kid's Fun Day in the late summer, a very popular "back-to-school" block-party styled event; Earth Day Celebration, each April where Community Center goers learn helpful tips about keeping our environment safe and Visit with Santa, hosted around the holiday season which features photos with Santa and music and dancing provided by Radio Disney.