Queens, NY, May 11, 2009 – The Queens Community
House’s Pomonok Center will receive a much-deserved facelift on Thurs.,
May 21. More than 125 employees from ARAMARK, a global provider of
professional services, will dedicate their time, energy and talents to
enhancing the indoor and outdoor facilities at the Queens Community
House, Pomonok Center (67-09 Kissena Blvd. in Flushing).
The day
of service is part of ARAMARK Building Community, a company-wide
initiative launched in 2008 that fosters long-term support for local
community centers in more than 25 cities. The Queens Community House
partnership expands on the company’s relationship with United
Neighborhood Houses, one of the largest human service systems in New
York City. United Neighborhood Houses comprises 36 agencies working at
more than 400 sites to provide services and activities for half a
million New Yorkers each year.
“ARAMARK Building Community
aligns our philanthropy and volunteer activities with what we do as a
company every day,” said Ira Cohn, president of ARAMARK Business and
Industry, and local ARAMARK Building Community executive sponsor. “The
Queens Community Center does great work, tirelessly helping those less
fortunate. We’re thrilled to support their important efforts through
refurbishment projects such as this, and by helping to prepare and
connect individuals to jobs, teach families how to live a healthier
lifestyle, and provide for basic needs through food, toy and clothing
drives throughout the year.”
The Pomonok Center will receive an
overall transformation which will include a new library, stocked with
children’s books donated by ARAMARK employees. In addition, volunteers
will refurbish and landscape outdoor garden areas, paint walls and
inspirational murals throughout the center, construct benches and
picnic tables, and paint playground games and equipment.
Part
of the New York Housing Authority, the Pomonok Center operates in the
low-income Pomonok Housing Development with 35 buildings serving 4,000
residents. The Center provides a variety of programs and services to
youth, teens, families and seniors, ranging from childcare to adult
education.
City Year New York, a group dedicated to engaging
youth in full-time community service and ARAMARK’s volunteerism
partner, will work side-by-side with ARAMARK employees on the
enhancement projects taking place that day.
A recent study
found that 61 percent of Americans believe that in the current economic
climate, community centers play a more essential role than ever*.
Respondents noted that providing basic needs such as food and clothing,
affordable childcare and preschool, job training and after school
programs are the most important services that community centers offer.
“With
New York City facing dire budgetary issues, the timing of this project
could not have been better,” said Irma Rodriquez, executive director of
the Queens Community House. “The Queens Community House is a very
institutional-looking building and much of our programming is
underground. Unfortunately, there simply is no surplus money to revive
it, so the enhancements and beautification efforts by ARAMARK
volunteers are meeting an important need, creating a more cheerful and
inviting environment.”
This project is one of several initiatives
that ARAMARK is undertaking in the New York area. Last year, ARAMARK
volunteers revitalized the Henry Street Settlement on Manhattan’s Lower
East Side by refurbishing its Martin Luther King Jr. Garden. During the
holiday season, ARAMARK volunteers prepared and served meals to senior
citizens at the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center. Throughout 2009,
plans include hosting ARAMARK career fairs and workforce readiness
seminars, among other activities.
*The study was
conducted for ARAMARK via telephone by International Communications
Research, an independent research company. Interviews were conducted
November 7-11, 2008 among a representative sample of 1017 adults aged
18 years or older. The margin of error is +/-3.07% at the 95%
confidence level. More information about ICR can be obtained by
visiting www.icrsurvey.com.
Contacts:
Bev Dribin, ARAMARK
(215) 238-8267
Dribin-bev@aramark.com
Emily Donohue, Allison & Partners
(805) 260-6401
emily@allisonpr.com