Queens Community House

Queens Community House (QCH) was founded in 1975 in response to deep divisions in Forest Hills surrounding the development of low-income housing. From the beginning, our mission has been to bring people together across difference—through social services, community-building, and opportunities for local leadership. Five decades later, that commitment continues to guide our work, particularly in how we support communities that have historically experienced exclusion, including LGBTQ+ individuals and families.

Today, QCH serves tens of thousands of Queens residents annually through a borough-wide network of programs grounded in our Integrated Service Model. This approach recognizes that people’s needs are interconnected and that lasting impact requires coordinated support across social, economic, and emotional dimensions of life. Our LGBTQ-specific programs are a core expression of this model—providing affirming spaces while connecting participants to the full range of services they need to thrive.

QCH operates dedicated LGBTQ programs that span generations. Through our Generation Q Youth Center, LGBTQ+ young people ages 13–21 access a safe, affirming afterschool environment offering social, educational, and emotional support, as well as opportunities to build identity, confidence, and peer connection.  At the same time, our Queens Center for Gay Seniors provides older adults with a welcoming community where they can reduce isolation, build relationships, and age with dignity in an inclusive setting.  These programs reflect our commitment to creating spaces where individuals are not only accepted, but actively supported in their growth and wellbeing.

Importantly, these LGBTQ-focused programs are not siloed. Participants are connected to QCH’s broader services—including family support, housing and benefits assistance, workforce development, and community engagement—ensuring that identity-affirming spaces are paired with pathways to stability and opportunity. In this way, LGBTQ programming is fully integrated into our whole-person, whole-community approach.

As Queens has evolved into one of the most diverse counties in the country, QCH has expanded alongside it—serving communities defined not only by geography, but by shared identities and experiences. Our work with LGBTQ+ residents reflects both our founding purpose and our forward vision: to build inclusive, self-reliant communities where every person is valued and able to participate fully.