Zone 126

From and to Washington, D.C. 🇺🇸

Last week, Zone 126 had the privilege of joining nonprofit leaders, advocates, and changemakers representing more than 30 states and Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 at the 2nd Annual Encuentro Nacional Conference hosted by the Hispanic Federation.

Over four days, Hispanic Federation curated a powerful learning and advocacy experience that placed community leaders at the center of conversations about the issues shaping our communities and nation, including immigration, health care, technology, and artificial intelligence.

While Zone 126’s work is focused on education and economic mobility, we recognize that these issues are deeply interconnected. The challenges facing children, youth, and families do not exist in isolation, and neither can the solutions.

Across the communities we serve, 60.6% of students identify as Hispanic or Latino, and 23.3% are experiencing temporary housing. We know that housing instability increases the likelihood of chronic absenteeism, which is linked to lower academic achievement, higher dropout risk, and reduced economic mobility. Stabilizing attendance requires stabilizing lives and ensuring families have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

As our nation’s Latino population continues to grow, investing in pathways that support educational success, economic mobility, and overall well-being is critical to the future strength of our communities and our country.

A special highlight of the conference was celebrating Congresswoman Nydia “La Luchadora” Velázquez and her more than three decades of advocacy on behalf of working families, communities of color, and public housing residents. Her leadership has helped uplift communities across Queens and Brooklyn, including NYCHA Astoria Houses, Ravenswood Houses, and Queensbridge Houses.

We returned to Queens inspired by the conversations, energized by new partnerships, and reminded that meaningful change happens when leaders come together to learn, collaborate, advocate, and take action.

🌈 Our annual PRIDE Speed Chat n’ Chew brought together students and professionals for an afternoon of meaningful conversations, connection, and community at Long Island City High School.

This year, students had the opportunity to hear from LGBTQIA+ professionals with backgrounds in art, health, and education, including both current and former Zone 126 staff members. Speakers shared their personal stories, career journeys, challenges, successes, and the importance of embracing who they are.

Thank you to our incredible speakers for showing our young people that there is no single path to success and that being your authentic self is something to be celebrated every step of the way. 💜✨

2026 marks a major milestone as Zone 126 celebrates 15 years of partnerships that have created impact and strengthened our unwavering belief in the children, youth, and families of Astoria and Long Island City. ✨💙

What began as a vision rooted in community and collaboration has grown into a cradle-to-college-to-career movement grounded in collective impact, community schools, youth development, wellness, family engagement, and combating chronic absenteeism across Northwestern Queens.

Our anniversary celebration was filled with unforgettable moments, reflection, storytelling, laughter, and gratitude. To stand in a room surrounded by alumni, staffers, school leaders, partner organizations, supporters, elected officials, families, and community members was a powerful reminder that this work has always been bigger than any one individual or organization. It has always been about community.

We were deeply honored to receive proclamations from New York State Senator Michael Gianaris and New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez recognizing Zone 126’s service, impact, and commitment to Queens communities.

Every student, every family, every staffer, every partner, and every supporter has helped transform this vision into reality.

The mission remains clear. The commitment remains strong. The best is still yet to come. 💙✨

Today, we pause to remember and honor the heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. Their courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten. Wishing everyone a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day. 🇺🇸

Yesterday, the team at Zone 126 headed to City Hall Park in solidarity with more than 90 organizations alongside the  (Human Services Council)to raise awareness around NYC Council Wage Equity Bill 0452. ✊🏽

New York City’s human services sector is powered by nearly 600,000 individuals working every day to support children, families, older adults, and communities across the five boroughs. More than half of the workforce are women, with the sector predominantly made up of Black and Brown professionals who continue to serve on the frontlines of our city.

The rally created an important opportunity to stand together in solidarity with colleagues across the nonprofit and social service sector, while advocating for fair and equitable wages for the workforce that helps keep New York City moving forward.

At Zone 126, we know that investing in people who serve communities is investing in the future of our neighborhoods. 💙

🥑🎉 Holy Guacamole! 🎉🥑

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, students, families, and staff at PS 76Q and Long Island City High School came together for one of our favorite annual traditions, our Holy Guacamole Competition! 🌮💚

Cinco de Mayo recognizes the resilience, culture, and history connected to the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla, and over the years, this celebration has grown within our community into a joyful tradition centered around food, family engagement, culture, and connection. ✨🇲🇽

Participants mixed, mashed, seasoned, and competed to see who could create the BEST guacamole recipe! 👩🏽‍🍳👨🏽‍🍳🥑 From spicy creations to secret family recipes, the competition was full of creativity, laughter, and school spirit.

What started as a fun activity has officially become an annual staple within our organization, strengthening relationships, building school-community connections, and creating joyful memories that our students and families look forward to each year. 💫

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make this year’s Holy Guacamole Celebration another amazing success! 💚🥑

🎉🏙️ What an amazing day celebrating Queens Chamber of Commerce Queens Day! 💙

Earlier this week, we joined fellow nonprofit leaders, businesses, community advocates, and elected officials in celebrating everything that makes Queens so special ✨

Did you know? 👀
Queens is the largest borough in NYC, home to more than 2.4 million residents, two major airports ✈️, and is recognized as the 4th most populous county in the United States 🇺🇸

The day included meaningful meetings with elected representatives, important conversations about investing in our communities and young people, and the incredible opportunity to head up to the Senate Chamber Gallery to be recognized and hear remarks about the importance and impact of Queens. 🙌🏽

We also had the chance to connect with fellow businesses and nonprofits to talk about the importance of cradle-to-college-to-career work 📚➡️🎓➡️💼 and how student success directly impacts the long-term economic strength of our borough.

The evening wrapped up with a fantastic Cocktail Reception for Queens, by Queens 🍸✨ where new partnerships were formed, ideas were shared, and community connections continued to grow.

Queens is diverse. Queens is resilient. Queens is innovative. Most importantly… Queens is community 💙

Last week, we proudly hosted our Drama PAWS Showcase, “Pandemonium,” at Long Island City High School 🎭💙

This powerful, student-written series brought to life the real experiences our young people are navigating at this stage in their lives, and how they are learning to work through them with honesty, courage, and creativity.

Through Creative Arts Therapy, our students are building constructive ways to resolve conflict, express their emotions, and find their voice in a supportive and safe environment. What we witnessed on that stage was more than a performance, it was growth, healing, and self-expression in action.

We are incredibly proud of our students for their vulnerability and strength, and grateful to our team for creating spaces where young people can be seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.