Local Construction Company Recognized

BUSINESS NEWS Local Construction Company Recognized For Excellence In Craftmanship

By Yaaqob Yatzilel, Structure Point

Structure Point, a masonry contractor based in Springfield Gardens, recently received the Excellence in Craftmanship Award from the Queens & Bronx Building Association (QBBQ) for work performed on the Greencroft Comfort Station in Staten Island. Structure Point was the subcontractor for this City project, hired by D&S Restoration who was the prime contractor, a very reputable construction firm. Our work was to install the block walls, and the glazed brick for the facade. This was a new ground up building.

Over the past 5 years Structure Point has been building and restoring structures for the City’s parks. Many of these buildings have been comfort stations. We are glad to make this contribution to the public with our work in masonry, as we love to build. And we are grateful to the QBBA for recognizing our work. 2022 has been a particularly rough year for us. But despite the many hurdles placed before us we continue on. And at some point, we’d like to address how NYC deals with it’s M/WBEs, but that’s a topic for another day.

As a small minority construction contractor doing public works projects in the City things can quickly get complicated. And being from the most underserved, disadvantage and deprived segment of society, having limited resources and even fewer opportunities, I must say that M/WBEs are in desperate need of help and support from the City. Without this needed support, small minority companies won’t survive or be able to thrive.

The City’s Black construction companies performing public works jobs are just as vital to New York as its restaurants and need the City to assist where assistance is warranted. And so much more can come from small minority owned firms if just given the chance, dealt with equally, with no impediments. And it would be a great thing to have the support of City officials when things go wrong. But the bureaucratic nature of government leaves too many problems unresolved. And we look forward to the mayor cutting back on some of this bureaucracy, as he has said he will do. So, we remain hopeful and continue to hang on and fight to stave off becoming another casualty in the construction field.

Our company was founded by union workers. I myself have worked in the building trades for over 20 years, having worked on numerous public works jobs. When we started the company, we got to

Queens Gigabit Center Opens

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that the older population faces in the city.

“When anyone does anything in particular communities like this one to just equal the playing field, to bring technology to the level that many other communities enjoy, it is a gift,” CortésVázquez said.

The digital divide, she shared, was devastating on the older community during the pandemic. Through the ingenuity she attributed to the New York City Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser and the directors of senior centers in the city, she applauded the speed in which programming transitioned to virtual.

“We knew that virtual programming for some is just a technical skill. For us, it broke social isolation,” she said “We know that social isolation is one of the hardest things that older adults can experience. We know it hurts us mentally and can affect us physically.”

Firing in at 800 megabits per second (Mbps), the free highspeed internet at the Gigabit Center is 32 times faster than low-end broadband internet. As defined by the Federal Communications Commission, internet speeds must be 25 Mbps or greater to be considered broadband.

The internet is provided by LinkNYC, with numerous highranking members of the organization attending the grand opening.

“To the older adult members who are here with us today, I want to welcome you to this space that was created specifically for you,” Nicole Robinson-Etienne - Director Of External Affairs LinkNYC. “At LinkNYC, we believe that highspeed internet connectivity is not a luxury. It’s a necessity to modern life.”

Through a public-private partnership with the city of New York, LinkNYC installs kiosks with free services, CEO Nick Colvin shared with the Leader-Observer.

Currently, LinkNYC is working to expand 5G coverage to communities in need. Currently, about 100 Link5G kiosks have been deployed throughout the city — approximately 90 percent of the locations are to be deployed outside of Manhattan or above 96th Street.

Quantity is important, since 5G uses a high-frequency wavelength that struggles to connect through buildings or skyscrapers. LinkNYC says users can connect within 750 feet of the kiosks.

“For LinkNYC, we are a missiondriven organization. We believe that access to the internet is a human right. It is necessary to fully participate in society,” Colvin said. “That’s really the core of what we do. It’s really to bring free internet to as many people in New York as we can.” work straight out of the gate, not turning down any work. One of the advantages of a worker started a business is that the owner knows firsthand what it takes to build, and doesn’t have to rely on a book which may have good information in it, but doesn’t have the realistic on the ground experience.

So, this award serves as validation of not only our dedicated work and excellence in craftmanship, but also of our existence in an arena that isn’t as inclusive as it should be. And we hope to do even more good work within the city that we call home.

QUEENS CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS India Home: Safeguarding Queen's South Asian Senior Community

By: Farhana Hussain

In the last two years since the COVID-19 pandemic started, many immigrant-serving communitybased organizations (CBOs) across NYC have proven themselves to be resilient, helping thousands of New Yorkers meet their increased food security, housing, and healthcare needs, among other such priorities. Queens-based nonprofit, India Home, is one organization that’s been working hard to uplift our communities, especially among vulnerable South Asian and IndoCaribbean immigrant seniors in our borough.

COVID-19 Prevention and

Awareness: India Home’s Outreach Efforts

In the early stages of the pandemic, Queens was an epicenter with the highest rates of COVID-19 positive cases among residents. An estimated 2,298 confirmed cases were reported in Queens at its highest peak in January 2021 compared to 1,972 in Brooklyn and 1,112 in Manhattan (NYC Health, COVID19 Data). Queens has the highest population of South Asians in the city, as such South Asian seniors ages 60 and older have particularly been among the most vulnerable. India Home recognized this fact and stepped in to help amplify messaging as well as get essential COVID-19 resources to this community. Since 2020, the organization has partnered with NYC H+H and DOHMH through their Test & Trace program, where it has distributed 400,000+ face masks, conducted 5,470+ vaccine referrals to testing sites, and engaged in-person with over 160,000 community members. Their robust relief efforts have been recognized even on local media where, in March 2022, India Home received the prestigious “Lehrer Prize for Community WellBeing” for its COVID-19 vaccine equity efforts.

Tackling COVID-19 & Health

Inequities: Collaborations With CBOs

For over two years, India Home has also collaborated with coalition partners, Project New Yorker and New Jerusalem Worship Project, through the COVID-19 Disparities Grant (CDG) Project in order to mitigate long-standing racial/ethnic inequities, increase access to COVID-19 service, and improve overall health outcomes of community members in the Jamaica area. Together, they educate seniors and limited English language speakers about the benefits of vaccination and debunk common myths & fears in vaccines/ boosters. Along with collaborating with its CDG partners, India Home’s Community Outreach team continues to conduct in-person outreach several times a week and provide COVID-19 prevention kits and resources across TRIE (Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity) neighborhoods designated as high priority for equitable reach by the NYC Mayor’s office. Currently, they are also promoting vaccine uptake through their innovative Vaccine Stories Storytelling Project under the New York Civic Engagement Alliance (NYCEAL). They are producing a series of 10 to 15 videos in English and multiple South Asian languages to share the real experiences of diverse South Asian seniors in NYC who have gotten vaccinated, in an effort to encourage more people to get vaccinated.

Confronting Challenges with

Culturally Competent Case Management Services

Prolonged social isolation, depression, and lack of sufficient food are some issues that have increased within the older adult community due to the pandemic. To meet these needs, India Home started providing Creative Aging programs and Case Management services virtually for seniors and started a new Halal/ vegetarian home-delivered meals and groceries program in March 2020. They also began making weekly wellness check-up calls to make sure homebound seniors were not lonely and could communicate about any needs or problems for which they could receive assistance. In 2021, India Home provided approximately 442 Mental Health sessions, 17,403 Wellness Check-In calls, and close to 20,000 culturally tailored and nutritious Halal/vegetarian meals.

Dismantling Barriers & Driving Forward: India Home Milestones

There’s no doubt that the pandemic has been especially challenging for immigrant older adults, but with organizations like India Home present in the community, many such seniors are able to overcome these challenges without feeling lost. India Home reopened its centers in Spring 2021, where many Hindi & Bengali-speaking elders participate in enriching activities such as Tai Chi classes, Karaoke, Cooking, and Self-Defense workshops. They’re operating in six locations across Queens, including a newly inaugurated center at the Satya Narayan Mandir located in Elmhurst and will soon open another center at An Noor Cultural Center. We’re excited for this organization to grow and continue supporting seniors to keep safe, stay healthy, hunger-free, socially connected, and actively engaged across our borough!

IT’S IN QUEENS!

By Rob MacKay

Named after Janus, the Roman god of doorways and beginnings, January is the first month of the year.

It’s a time of self-improvement resolutions, inaugurations for elected officials, and visits from the Three Kings.

January events in Queens include live music, nature walks, Spanishspeaking Cinderella, MLK Day remembrances, and Lunar New Year celebrations. Please read on.

Fermenting Vegetables Workshop Jan. 7 @ 10 a.m.

Cheryl Paswater is the Chief Fermentationist and CEO of Contraband Ferments as well as an educator, artist, and writer. She leads this Zoom workshop about the basic science behind fermenting vegetables.

Participants gain an understanding of the important do’s and don’ts of fermenting, along with copies of the recipes, and a solid foundation in safe preserving practices. $30 per household.

N-Y-C Geo-Lo-Gy Jan. 7 @ 12 p.m.

This nature walk through Alley Pond Park makes stops at geological highlights that relay the past billion years of pre-human settlement. Learn how NYC went from a submerged sea to a volcanic region ruled by dinosaurs to an icy home to wooly mammoths. $28.

Alley Pond Environmental Center, 224-65 76th Ave., Oakland Gardens.

MLK Day Celebration with Samara

Jan. 15 @ 3 p.m.

Samara Joy, who has been nominated for two Grammys (Best New Artist, Best Jazz Vocal Album), headlines a show that includes a keynote address by the event honoree, Columbia University Ira A. Lipman Professor of Journalism Jelani Cobb, a recognition ceremony, and a post-show reception. $20.

LeFrak Concert Hall, 153-49 Reeves Ave., Flushing.

Open Rehearsal Jan. 16 @ 7:30 p.m.

Try out for the Oratorio Society of Queens, a community chorus thatperforms around the borough. Free. Rehearsal repeats on Jan. 23.

Temple Beth Sholom, 172nd Street andNorthern Boulevard, Flushing.

Young Artists Showcase Jan. 21 @ 7:30 p.m.

A showcase of students at top NYC conservatories. Evan Katsefes (tenor), Jennifer Robinson (soprano), and Nick Fanara (piano) perform Beethoven, Liszt, Mozart,

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and otherswith pianist Barbara Podgurski. $10 suggested donation.The Church-in-the-Gardens, 50 Ascan Ave., Forest Hills.

The Redemption of Music: Trauma, Disability, and the Fight for Recovery Jan. 21 @ 2:00 p.m.

An afternoon of classic music by violist Neesa Suncheuri Sunar, who shares her personal story of survival as an autistic woman with schizoaffective disorder. She performs Bach, Biber, Fuchs, Hindemith, Paganini, Reger, Soulage, and Telemann. Free.

King Manor Museum, 150-03 Jamaica Ave., Jamaica.

Lunar New Year Celebration Jan. 28 @ 12:00 p.m.

Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit with lion dance performances, zodiac-themed crafts, storytime, and other activities. Free with $5 suggested donation.

Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main St., Flushing

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