24 APRIL 9, 2020 RIDGEWOOD TIMES WWW.QNS.COM
BY BILL PARRY
BPARRY@SCHNEPSMEDIA.COM
@QNS
It was just over a month ago when hundreds attended
the Queens Centers for Progress 24th
annual “Evening of Fine Food” fundraiser at
Terrace on the Park to benefit the agency that
provides support to children and adults who have
developmental disabilities.
“All hell broke loose just a week later with the arrival
of the coronavirus emergency,” QCP Director
of Development Wendy Phaff said.
Every day since has brought new challenges as
the human services agency continues to operate
nine group homes across the borough that house
78 individuals.
“Five of these homes are currently under quarantine
due to staff or residents testing positive,”
Phaff said. “Let me tell you about one special heroine,
Jessica Dubinsky, who volunteered to leave
her husband and two teenage kids to care for our
individuals in a quarantined home. Jessica’s birthday
was on March 24 and the residential director
at the home asked for someone to pick up a small
cake for our staff in quarantine. An hour later, a
cake and a balloon appeared at the doorstep to
Jessica’s home and with tears, she greatly accepted
this kind gesture.”
A member of the QCP staff, Corey Thompson,
who had been working tirelessly for weeks made
the delivery himself. It isn’t just the QCP staff that
is going the extra mile during trying times.
“Every day brings a beautiful kindness that people
are showing us. The community and businesses are
QCP staff at one of the quarantined homes were happy to receive donated fl owers.
Photos via Queens Centers for Progress
taking care of us,” Phaff said. “MumsKitchenNYC
and P’s Bakery and Catering who took part in our
Evening of Fine Food have been preparing meals
for our homes. The Queens borough president’s
offi ce and Fresh Direct have provided groceries.
A fl orist in Manhattan, Empire Cut Flowers, had a
huge delivery just when the emergency made them
shut down their business and instead of letting all
of those fl owers wither and die they sent them to
our homes to cheer everyone up.”
The 600 staff members of QCP have also volunteered
their time to make sure that hundreds of
homebound individuals who live all over Queens
are provided meals and groceries.
“Of course it’s not all rainbows and unicorns,”
Phaff said. “We’re also running around trying to
gather Personal Protection Equipment because
we are required to wear them in all of the homes
so we’re competing against hospitals, nursing
homes and other group homes. We spent $70,000
on PPE in the last two weeks. The cards are always
stacked against us. It’s been an interesting month
that seems like a year.”
QCP is hoping for more acts of kindness such
as meal donations for 15 people at a time, to
source more PPE going forward or to offer cash
donations to keep these group homes functioning.
The agency is also hoping for registered nurses to
volunteer their time.
Anyone interested in donating can email
wphaff@queenscp.org or call her at 646-801-
8786.
ACTS OF KINDNESS
Queens Centers for Progress keeps group
homes running with acts of kindness
Jessica Dubinsky receives a birthday cake and
balloon at the home she is living in.
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