What they reported doing
- #1 primary $83KWe provided the community with food, resources, school supplies, youth sports groups, community outreach, and continued work on the Organizations mission.
- #2 $9KBrought in 2,000 coats for families in the community for a coat drive included other ancillary support items.
What they call their work
What they do
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Food Distribution and Hunger Relief 2 activities
- Operate food pantries and pop-up food distributionRuns pop-up food pantries and distributes food to families experiencing food insecurity in Queens. Activities include Back to School Events providing school supplies to 400 families and emergency food support through pandemic-related programs.
- Respond to pandemic-related community needsRuns the Covid Care Neighbor Network to address food insecurity, unemployment, and financial hardship caused by the pandemic, including through food distribution and community outreach.
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Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
- Coordinate community coalition and cross-agency collaborationManages a coalition of over 50 nonprofit organizations and social service providers to support community members, enabling cross-referrals and resource sharing. Convenes monthly network meetings with grassroots groups, community-based organizations, government institutions, elected officials, and community leaders.
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After-School Academic and Enrichment Programs 1 activity
- Deliver youth development programsOperates community-led youth groups for individuals aged 12 to 21, offering educational discussions, cultural and historical programming, craft activities, and quarterly outdoor events. Provides academic and workforce transition support including college application assistance and resume-building for young adults.
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School-Based Mental Health and Family Support 1 activity
- Offer mental health and family support servicesProvides free emotional support, advocacy, mental health information, referrals, skills development, and recreational activities for youth up to age 24 and parents or caregivers of children under 18 facing emotional or behavioral health challenges in New York City.
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Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
- Provide community resource and referral servicesOperates a Community Resource and Referral Program using trained bilingual social workers to assess family needs and connect them to community resources. Provided support to 250 families through this program.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Provide holiday and seasonal support programsDistributes turkeys, toys, and other goods during holidays and organizes community coat drives, including distribution of 2,000 coats and ancillary items to families in need.
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Community Wellness Movement Classes 1 activity
- Run wellness and recreational activities for familiesOrganizes wellness and recreational programming including zumba, salsa, pilates, and yoga lessons. Implements the Sport for Family Health (SFH) project in Queens to promote health among youth and families through sports.
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Parenting Education and Support Programs 1 activity
- Support parents through peer groups and community gatheringsHosts parent groups such as Grupo De Padres to facilitate peer-to-peer support, share child-rearing strategies, navigate school systems, and access community resources. Promotes fellowship and community connection through organized group activities.
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Who runs it
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shannon Getzel | Co-Founder / CFO | 14 | $18K |
| Jessica Chacha | Co-Founder / Treasurer | 10 | $13K |
| Mayra Chacha | Secretary | 5 | $7K |
| Maria Arnaud | President | 2 | $2K |
| Mark Laster | Vice President | 1 | $1K |
Who they work with
- 34th Avenue Open Streets Coalition Partner — Collaborative partnership formed to activate open streets and build community resilience during the pandemic.
- 50 community organizations Coalition — Part of a coalition network comprising 50 community organizations collaborating on local resource delivery.
- CATHOLIC MIGRATION SERVICES Partner — Coalition partner offering free legal services and "Know Your Rights" education to low-income individuals regardless of immigration status.
- CATHOLIC MIGRATION SERVICES Partner — Coalition partner organization providing free legal services and immigration support to low-income individuals.
- COMMONPOINT QUEENS Partner — Coalition partner focused on improving individual, family, and community quality of life across Queens.
- COMMONPOINT QUEENS Partner — Coalition partner organization collaborating to share resources and support clients.
- COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF JACKSON HEIGHTS Partner — Coalition partner organization serving as a multi-language congregation and community bridge in Jackson Heights.
- COMMUNITY UNITED METODIST CHURCH OF JACKSON HEIGHTS Partner — Coalition partner serving as a bridge in a diverse community and supporting a multilingual congregation.
- Centers Health Care Partner — Coalition partner delivering innovative, outcomes-driven healthcare services.
- Centers Health Care Partner — Coalition partner healthcare provider offering innovative, outcomes-driven care.
- Charles B. Wang Community Health Center Partner — Coalition partner Federally Qualified Health Center providing primary care with a focus on Asian Americans.
- Charles B. Wang Community Health Center Partner — Coalition partner providing federally qualified primary healthcare services to community members with a focus on underserved populations.
- Community Coalition Coalition — Manages and connects a coalition of over 50 nonprofit organizations and social service resources.
- Community HealthEd Partner — Coalition partner student-led nonprofit educating communities on health topics across the United States.
- DEPARTAMENTO DE SERVICIOS PARA VETERANOS Partner — Coalition partner connecting and empowering New York City's veteran community to foster purposeful lives.
- DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS' SERVICES Government — Coalition partner agency empowering New York City veterans and their families.
- District 79 Adult Education Partner — Coalition partner organization providing personalized learning experiences for adult students.
- District 79 Adult Education Partner — Coalition partner providing personalized learning experiences and support systems for adult students to succeed in school and beyond.
- EL CENTRO DE INMIGRACIÓN DE EMERALD ISLE Partner — Coalition partner fostering civic engagement and helping immigrants attain U.S. citizenship.
- EL CONSEJO DE NUEVA YORK SOBRE EL JUEGO PROBLEMÁTICO Partner — Coalition partner increasing public awareness about problem gambling and advocating for treatment and support services.
- Elmhurst Community Partnership Partner — Community organization where Shannon Getzel and Mayra Chacha have volunteered and implemented programs.
- Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield Partner — Coalition partner organization providing Medicare-related medical care access.
- Empire BlueCross BlueShield Partner — Coalition partner providing access to Medicare-approved medical care providers.
- FACT Foundation Partner — Organization with which Shannon Getzel volunteered between 2014 and 2016.
- Families Building Community Partner — Collaborative partner organization where co-founders Jessica Chacha and Shannon Getzel previously worked and implemented community programs.
- Forte Prep Partner — Coalition partner tuition-free middle school in Queens focused on educational excellence.
- HEALTHCARE EDUCATION PROJECT Partner — Coalition partner organization focused on healthcare access through education and advocacy.
- Hunger Free America Partner — Coalition partner advocating for policies and programs to end hunger and ensure access to nutritious food for all Americans.
- Hunger Free America Partner — Coalition partner organization working to end domestic hunger and expand food access.
- INCLUDEnyc Partner — Coalition partner organization connecting young people with disabilities to resources for school, work, and community life.
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Coalition Model for Integrated Supportmethodology: community_coalitionBy connecting a coalition of service providers, the organization enhances client outcomes through cross-referrals and shared resources because systemic fragmentation is reduced and access improves via coordinated ecosystems.
- Community-Led Youth Engagement for Leadership Developmentmethodology: community-led-youth-groupsBy organizing youth in community-led groups, the organization fosters character development and leadership because ownership and participatory design increase investment and long-term civic engagement.
- Culturally Responsive Programming for Multi-Ethnic Familiesmethodology: culturally_sensitive_programmingBy designing programs that center cultural empathy and solidarity, the organization increases engagement and effectiveness of services for multi-ethnic families because trust and relevance are strengthened when cultural context is honored.
- Mutual Aid for Food and Economic Securitymethodology: mutual_aidBy organizing mutual aid among community members, the organization addresses food insecurity and economic hardship more sustainably because reciprocal support builds community resilience and reduces dependency on external systems.
- Peer-Led Support to Strengthen Families and Reduce Isolationmethodology: peer_support_networkBy using peer support—both one-to-one and in groups—among parents and youth with lived experience, the organization builds collective knowledge and resilience because shared experience fosters trust, reduces stigma, and increases program adherence.