Commonpoint Queens CEO ‘doesn’t quit’
TIMESLEDGER | 26 QNS.COM | JUNE 19-25, 2020
ate about serving the
diverse community of
Queens.
As CEO of Commonpoint,
Ellman’s daily
tasks include staying
in conversation with
elected officials, communicating
with staff,
and guiding her team.
Ellman affirms that one
of the hardest aspects of
managing an agency is
the reality that the facts
on the ground change
every day.
“ C o m m o n p o i n t
is ever evolving, as
are the needs of our
community,” she said.
Once social distancing
rules were introduced,
Ellman was
quick to adjust Commonpoint’s
mission to
better accommodate the
unique situation.
She immediately
opened a crisis line that
acts as a hotline, allowing
community members
in Queens to reach
out for additional support.
Ellman also set up
an online portal where
community members
are able to ask for assistance
regarding COVID
relief. In order to efficiently
execute these
tasks, she reassigned
a team of professionals
and put a pause on
normal commitments
to serve these new
circumstances.
Since implementing
these changes, Ellman
reports a significant
increase in engagement
among the Queens
community. Commonpoint’s
mental health
clinicians’ hours “went
up by 40 percent as they
are filling the therapeutic
need that community
members have right
now,” said Ellman.
She saw similar
peaks in youth engagement
as well. Currently,
Commonpoint is connected
with more than
8,000 high school students
who branch from
five schools in particular.
Students now
have access to college
guidance and career
readiness resources
through an easy virtual
platform.
Ellman notes that
the pandemic has
shown the world how
to use technology in a
meaningful way.
“With the shift to
online platforms and
aid, we now run our
agency through technology
and I don’t see
us going back,” stated
Ellman. “It has provided
a way to expand
our reach, especially by
engaging with senior
members of the community.
I believe that the
labor force will come
back in a more flexible
manner.”
Ellman is not the
only one at Commonpoint
who understands
this immediate
need for fluidity and
innovation.
Mitch Karpp, the
organization’s associate
vice president of
Youth Education Services,
has been with the
agency for more than 30
years, beginning as a
camper in its summer
programs. In his role,
Karpp oversees Commonpoint’s
Special Services
programming for
youth and teens, early
childhood parenting,
and the 24-hour afterschool
program.
In light of the pandemic,
one of Karpp’s
major responsibilities
is operating “rec centers”
that provide child
care for essential workers.
Karpp and his division
are also actively
providing remote learning
activities and selfcare
programming for
the many families already
part of their nursery
and after-school
centers. More than 700
children are enrolled in
these programs.
Karpp first met Ellman
when she became
the site director of
Commonpoint’s Forest
Hills location, in 2010. It
didn’t take long to recognize
Ellman’s crucial
role within the organization
and he admires
her dedication to Commonpoint’s
mission.
“No matter how difficult
things become, or
what the obstacles are,
Danielle doesn’t quit,”
said Karpp. “She tirelessly
goes the distance,
expects the best in her
team and gives her all
to every challenge.”
BY TERESA METTELA
Last week, Commonpoint
Queens, an organization
aimed at improving
the quality of
communal life throughout
Queens, promoted
a special “We See You”
Virtual Vigil through
which the Long Island
and Queens Jewish
communities conveyed
their solidarity with
the Black Lives Matter
movement.
The event, initiated
by Commonpoint
Queens CEO Danielle
Ellman, featured
speakers from the Antioch
Baptist Church
of Hempstead, Chabad
Lubavitch of Long Island,
ERASE Racism,
among many other religious
and advocacy
groups.
In her newsletter
detailing the vigil, Ellman
wrote about the recent
protests that have
taken place throughout
New York City — and
the country — after the
police-involved killing
of George Floyd in
Minneapolis.
“We see on our
streets and on our televisions
tens of thousands
of people of all
ages, races and religions
speaking out
against discrimination
and it is inspiring,” she
wrote. “We are committed
to amplifying voices
within the Black community
who are calling
for systemic change
and an end to racial
injustice everywhere.”
Ellman, a lifelong
Queens resident, has
always been passion-
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