I will be Chef of the Year from Queens Center for Progress (QCP) on Tuesday, March 3 at 6 pm at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows. Called an Evening of Fine Food, the event will have dozens of top restaurants providing their signature dish to attendees. It will be a great night with more than 500 business people in attendance. The fundraiser will help provide necessary funding for more than 1,200 people in which QCP provides services.
My background
Did you know that I used to consult for QCP? I did that after I started my own business back in 1991. Before that, I worked at Ogilvy & Mather PR, Hill, Holliday/PR and Ruder Finn/PR. I also worked at two non-profit organizations as the director of public relations and development.
The first non-profit organization was called Altro Health and Rehabilitation Services. They helped people with psychiatric disabilities by teaching them job training and life skills to become independent and off government assistance. It was a wonderful place to work and I was there for five years. I would probably still be working there except that the agency merged with another UJA-Federation agency, FEGS (Federated Employment and Guidance Services). Then, they later became defunct. I’m not sure what happened to all the people they served but I guess they got dispersed to other agencies.
The other nonprofit I worked for was called PSCH. They helped people with developmental disabilities learn life skills and get job training skills. They offered housing and job opportunities. I worked there for about a year before giving birth to my daughter and then after that, I decided to start my own business.
Started my own business
Through the years at HJMT, I worked with dozens of nonprofit organizations. My goal was always to give back to the community. And through the years, I did just that. I have raised money for dozens and dozens of charities including helping the Katz Women’s Hospital raise the necessary funding, LLS, Back on My Feet, Team for Kids, UJA-Federation and so many more. I’ve taken both leadership and non-leadership fundraising roles. I also volunteer my time to give presentations and mentor both students and adults starting their own business. It’s something that I love doing.
QCP
Queens Center for Progress helps more than 1,200 people with developmental disabilities every day. They teach children and adults life skills and training for potential job placement. Adults are also offered jobs within the community at places like TJ Maxx among other retailers.
After watching a talent contest, having a young woman sing a prevue to me, watching consumers getting instructed on how to cook chicken and seeing a classroom of toddlers learning songs about Chinese heritage for the Chinese New Year, I got very emotional. And, I was very impressed.
How does this tie in with Chef of the Year?
The Chef of the Year is the name of the honoree. Each honoree was chosen for their charitable contributions to the community. So, because it’s an “Evening of Fine Food,” the organizers labeled the honorees as “Chef of the Year.” All of the proceeds go toward helping people with developmental disabilities have a better life. A cause I feel good about supporting.
Please support QCP
I really hope you could either buy a ticket here: https://bit.ly/38AsrfX or support the organization by giving a donation. No donation is too small. Anything will help them reach their goals. Here is the donation link – https://bit.ly/3bFsxFf.
Thank you for considering to help support QCP. With governmental funding limited, agencies like QCP need to depend on the community for help.
Thank you in advance for helping more than 1,200 people with developmental disabilities have a better life.
