34news More funding for senior center BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Sunnyside Community Services is getting a much needed change to continue helping local and city-wide seniors. Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer surprised THE COURIER/ Photo by Angy Altamirano Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer announced he secured $2.6 million in funding for the expansion and renovation of the Sunnyside Senior Center at Sunnyside Community Services. Ribbon cut on renovated LIC High School athletic field BY ANGY ALTAMIRANO Long Island City High School’s Bulldogs will finally be able to make a touchdown on their home field. Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. gathered with LIC High School Principal Vivian P. Selenikas, teachers and students on September 3 to cut the ribbon on the school’s renovated athletic field. Vallone’s father, former Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., helped fund and bring the football program to the high school. In 1995, he also played a key role in the construction of the first AstroTurf field by securing extra funds to make it larger than its original size. “It is an honor to see the field that my father fought for and built looking better than ever,” said Vallone. “I look forward to seeing the Bulldogs bring a city championship back to Queens soon.” The Bulldogs, the high school’s football team, were forced to play all their games away during the renovation of the field. The group will now be able to return to their own home field for future games. “The dedication of this beautiful field is a testament to the hard work and collaboration of our Long Island City High School family, the NYC Department of Education, the School Construction Authority, the PSAL, the NFL and our community partners,” said Selenikas. “Thanks to the support of both Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. and his father’s legacy of advocacy for our school and support for our community, we are brought to this shining moment.” Photo Courtesy Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., LIC High School principal, teachers and students cut the ribbon for the renovated athletic field. the seniors at Sunnyside Community Services, located at 43-31 39th Street, during their lunch on August 30 to announce that he has secured $2.6 million in capital funding for the expansion and complete renovation of the organization’s senior center. “Sunnyside Community Services is a boroughwide institution that each and every single day gives seniors the opportunity to enjoy life through quality recreational activities, inspirational programming and interactive services that keeps them active and engaged,” said Van Bramer. “This is the place where our seniors are taken care of and nothing is more important than taking care of our senior citizens.” The plans, which are expected to begin within one year, will include the expansion of the Sunnyside Community Service’s Adult Day Services program by opening the space and increasing it by 1,000 square feet to serve close to 20 more seniors. The program will also be relocated to the front of the second floor in order to be easily accessible and safer for seniors. The funding will also feature the installation of new fixtures, flooring and equipment. The expansion will also double the capability of the Home Health Aide Training program at the center and provide home care for more seniors. It will also allow the Case Management Services to be upgraded and increase the number of caregivers providing therapy for seniors throughout the city. “We all want you to consider this your second home,” said Judy Zangwill, executive director of Sunnyside Community Services, to the seniors. “We feel all these improvements will make for a much more welcoming environment and greatly improve the experience for seniors.” The Sunnyside Community Services began almost 40 years ago as a senior center, said Zangwill, and now continues to offer different programs to seniors from all over the borough. Each week the center offers 53,000 hours of health and home care services to 1,500 homebound western Queens residents and serves 15,000 people annually.
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