Northeast Queens agency offers comprehensive services to families and seniors in need

Food pantries like those organized by Cmmonpoint Queens, have become a staple in community aid efforts like during the COVID-19 outbreak. Photo via New York City Council/Flickr

By Rachel Vick

A northeast Queens-based social service provider is facilitating a long list of emergency and essential services for families and seniors in need during the COVID-19 crisis. 

Commonpoint Queens, one of the borough’s largest service agencies, provides emergency childcare for the kids of critical workers like hospital employees and first responders. The service is free for students 2 to 11 years old from the New York City school system. 

The organization is also delivering thousands of meals to homebound seniors, operating a food pantry and taking people to grocery stores and medical appointments.

“Our goal is to not turn away a single senior in need,” wrote Dawn Rafal in an April 3 blog post.

The organization, which operates sites in Little Neck and Forest Hills, continues to connect Queens residents to programs and resources that help them stay safe and engaged in isolation.

A few other services reflect the demands of the current crisis. Commonpoint is helping laid off workers navigate the state unemployment website, offering financial counseling and connecting seniors with technology that allows them to interact with family separated by social distancing and contagion precautions

Queens residents can find a full list of services on the Commonpoint Queens website. 

The organization is accepting donations, which will be matched by two unnamed board members.