You are reading

Letter to the Editor: Enough is Enough

June 4, 2020, Letter to the Editor from Judy Zangwill, Executive Director of Sunnyside Community Services

Letter to the Editor,

We as a nation, community, organization, and individuals are deeply hurting and, once again, deeply enraged. Emotions are raw right now, and most of us are in pain. For some, that pain is very personal and frighteningly real. The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Abrey are brutal reminders of the evil racism that exists. The racist incident in Central Park could have easily had just as deadly an outcome. Tragically, none of this is new. There have been countless atrocities perpetuated where people have screamed; enough is enough. But we are still failing the most vulnerable. In 2020, and with heavy hearts, we are still enraged. Enough is enough!

We are still in a pandemic that has particularly impacted black and Latino communities. There are so many things that need to be examined and addressed, so this nation can truly live up to its ideals.

Our vision and mission at Sunnyside Community Services envisions diverse, inclusive, and caring communities where all people thrive and reach their fullest potential; to enrich lives and strengthen communities through services and engagement of individuals at all ages, beginning with those most in need. Never has the mission of SCS been more urgent in ensuring the needs of dignity, respect, safety, opportunity, being valued, heard, and seen.

With many of us working and learning from home, it is even more difficult to vent and share our feelings. I am especially concerned about the young people we serve. While this is happening, we are also fighting against budget cuts to our programs that engage our community in meaningful ways. It is going to take all of us to be part of a movement to effect real change, address systemic inequalities, and acknowledge that Black Lives Matter.

Sunnyside Community Services stands ready to be part of the conversation and solution.

Judy Zangwill

Executive Director, Sunnyside Community Services

 

*** Judy Zangwill has been the Executive Director of Sunnyside Community Services since 1990. SCS serves more than 16,000 people of all ages in Queens and throughout New York City with 175 in house staff, 2,000 home care workers and field staff, and almost 400 volunteers. Learn more at www.scsny.org.

 

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.


The reCAPTCHA verification period has expired. Please reload the page.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

Fall fun in western Queens: Your guide to the best seasonal events

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

With beach days and summer BBQs behind us, the start of September rings in the start of magnificent Fall foliage, Halloween and more fun activities that come with the start of Autumn, including a list of Fall events in the area. From apple picking to seasonal ciders and more, there is tons to explore in the community. From Mystic Markets to scary movie meet-ups and more, here is a list of Fall events you do not want to miss.

A hidden gem in Sunnyside: Bistro Punta Sal blends Peruvian and Italian flavors

Aug. 29, 2025 By Jessica Militello

On a quiet street in Sunnyside, Bistro Punta Sal has its French doors wide open, letting the late August breeze emanate throughout the space, which is ornate with flowers, paintings and an array of tables and chairs for intimate dinners with friends or a romantic date night. The cozy restaurant, located at 45-51 46th St., is a hidden gem in the neighborhood that is just waiting to be discovered, as the sights and aromas of the restaurant invite guests in. 

Off-duty paramedic spots South Richmond Hill two-alarm house fire that injures nine firefighters, two civilians on Friday morning: FDNY

Nine firefighters were injured, two of them seriously, and two civilians sustained minor injuries during a two-alarm house fire in South Richmond Hill on Friday morning, but it could have been worse if not for the actions of an off-duty veteran EMT.

Paramedic Craig Biscuiti was driving to work when he noticed a column of thick black smoke and heavy flames coming from the first floor of a two-story home at 95-36 111th St. just before 7:10 a.m.

Astoria doctor sentenced to more than two decades in prison for rape and sexual abuse: DA

An Astoria doctor was sentenced to 24 years in prison on Thursday in Queens Supreme Court for raping unconscious acquaintances and sexually abusing hospital patients.

Dr. Zhi Alan Cheng, 35, of Broadway, pleaded guilty on June 30 to four counts of rape in the first degree and three counts of sexual abuse in the first degree in satisfaction of the consolidated indictments against him. He additionally entered an Alford plea to one count of sexual abuse. The defendant — a former gastroenterologist at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital — recorded the abuse of his unconscious victims with his cell phone in both his Astoria apartment and at the hospital.