The humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine continues to affect millions of people, including those still living there and those who have fled the country to escape the conflict.
Queens Public Library will continue to compile resources and information to help those affected by the war, and share links to organizations that are working to provide aid and assistance to those in need, here and abroad.
Upcoming Events at QPL
Poets and Writers For Ukraine at the Ridgewood Library
This program will feature Ukrainian writers and writers of Ukrainian descent reading poems and stories in the library's garden. Our readers are Vasyl Makno, Olena Jennings, Kristina Lucenko, Lila Dlaboha, Virlana Tkacz, and Vera Sirota. This program is sponsored by the Friends of Ridgewood Library.
Thursday, October 12, 6:30pm
Ridgewood Library, 20-12 Madison Street
QPL's New Americans Program
Queens Public Library's New Americans Program celebrates our borough’s diversity and helps immigrants and newcomers adjust to life in the United States.
We offer:
- books, magazines, newspapers, CDs, and more in over 30 languages
- help with the immigration process
- several ways for you to learn English
- workshops and programs in your native language
- and much more.
Learn More about QPL's New Americans Program.
Resources for Ukrainian New Yorkers
The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs offers Resources for Immigrant New Yorkers in English, Ukrainian, Polish, and Russian.
New York State Stands with Ukraine: Resources for Ukrainians and How New Yorkers Can Help
The New York Legal Assistance Group's Immigrant Protection Unit is continuing to help Ukrainian nationals who have urgent immigration needs. For more information, please visit https://nylag.org/ukrainian-immigrant-assistance-project/.
Local Ukrainian Businesses & Religious Institutions
Varenyk House
67-14 Fresh Pond Road
Ridgewood, NY 11385
(917) 909-0257
Ukrainian Borscht, and Support, at Varenyk House (The New Yorker)
Holy Cross Ukrainian Catholic Church
31-12 30th Street
Astoria, NY 11106
Email: hcukicc@yahoo.com
St. Mary Protectress Ukrainian Catholic Church of Ozone Park
97-06 87th Street
Ozone Park, NY 11416
Email: StMaryUkrainianChurch@gmail.com
Aid Organizations and Resources
Uniting for Ukraine (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) provides a pathway for Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members who are outside the United States to come to the United States and stay temporarily in a two-year period of parole.
Options for Nationals of Ukraine Seeking Asylum in the U.S. (Nolo Network)
The USA Information Center for Ukrainians offers practical information and resources for people coming to the United States from Ukraine.
Upwardly Global is offering FREE resources to Ukrainian newcomers, U.S. employers, and community sponsors to support the successful inclusion of Ukrainian professionals into the U.S. workforce.
The Ukraine Library Relief Fund (American Library Association) will assist in the eventual rebuilding of Ukrainian libraries that have been damaged or destroyed.
UNICEF supports health, nutrition, education, and protection for children and families caught in the conflict in Ukraine.
Voices of Children Foundation provides children affected by the war with psychological and psychosocial support.
Doctors Without Borders provides medical teams and emergency medical aid to people in crisis.
The UN Refugee Agency helps people fleeing violence and war find safe refuge.
Razom for Ukraine: Razom (which means “together” in Ukrainian) provides urgent help and support to Ukrainians.
United Help Ukraine provides medical aid and humanitarian relief to Ukrainians.
The International Rescue Committee supports displaced children and families with vital supplies.
International Medical Corps provides access to medical and mental health services for those affected by the war.
CARE’s Ukraine Crisis Fund provides immediate aid including food, water and hygiene kits.
Sunflower of Peace Foundation raises money to prepare supplies for paramedics and doctors on the front lines.
International Committee of the Red Cross provides emergency assistance such as food, water, and other essential items.
Save the Children provides children and families with immediate aid, such as food, water, hygiene kits, and psychosocial support.
Kidsave is helping rescue children and families in Ukraine and providing humanitarian aid.
Queens Public Library Observes Banned Books Week, October 1-7, with Author Talks, Open Mics, Book Lists and a Citywide Day of Action Celebrating the Freedom to Read
Queens, NY_Queens Public Library will defend the freedom to read during Banned Books Week, October 1-7, through a series of events and activities recognizing the stories, voices, and titles threatened by censorship. The Library will also raise public awareness through large graphics at the entrance of every location stamped with the message, “All Books Are Welcome Here. Protect the Freedom to Read.”
The initiative comes at a time when book bans and challenges have been rising sharply across America, putting libraries on the frontlines of protecting the freedom to read. Although such book bans are currently not happening in New York City, libraries across the five boroughs have seen aggressive attempts to shut down Drag Story Hours.
According to the American Library Association, the number of requests to ban books is the highest since the organization began compiling the data more than 20 years ago. Between January 1 and August 31, 2023, ALA reported 695 attempts to censor library materials and services and documented challenges to 1,915 unique titles - a 20 percent increase from the same reporting period in 2022. Most of the targeted titles were by or about people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals.
“The recent increase in book challenges and bans — overwhelmingly targeting titles by or about people of color or members of the LGBTQ+ community — exemplifies dangerous attempts to whitewash history and silence marginalized voices, ultimately threatening our democracy,” said QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “Queens Public Library stands firm in our commitment to protect the freedom to read, while ensuring open access to diverse viewpoints and ideas. All books are welcome here.”
As part of Banned Books Week, Queens Public Library is teaming up with Brooklyn Public Library and The New York Public Library for a citywide digital Day of Action on Wednesday, Oct. 4, encouraging New Yorkers to use various social media channels to show that their city abhors censorship in all forms. That day, people can unite against book bans and show their support for libraries by using the hashtag #FreedomToRead and sharing why unfettered access to books, information, and knowledge is important to them. They are also invited to photograph and post a book that is meaningful to them.
In anticipation of this citywide initiative, QPL’s Fresh Meadows Library (193-20 Horace Harding Expressway) will also hold its own Banned Books Day of Action on Tuesday, Oct. 3, from 3-5 PM. Participants will learn about the current increases in challenges and bannings of books across the country, while writing postcards or letters to authors facing challenges and checking out banned books.
Other QPL programming highlights during this Banned Books Week include “Quieting Queer Reads: A History of LGBTQ+ Book Bans In The U.S.,” a virtual conversation organized in partnership with the American LGBTQ+ Museum, on Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 5-7 PM. Authors Corey Silverberg, Brenda Bowen, Maya Gonzalez, Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz and QPL Librarian Asher MacInnis-Call will discuss the history of book banning in the U.S. and the impact of censorship and erasure on LGBTQ+ youth. To join, go here.
On Saturday, Oct. 7 at 2 PM, the performance-based literacy program Literature to Life will present “Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury at Forest Hills Library (108-19 71st Ave.). Its terrifyingly recognizable vision features Guy Montag, a ‘fireman’ who, instead of putting out fires, starts them in order to burn books. There will be a discussion following the performance.
Also on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 12-3 PM (or while supplies last), the Friends of Ridgewood Library will honor Banned Books Week with a free book giveaway at the branch (20-12 Madison St.), distributing more than 400 banned books for children and teenagers.
The same branch is also inviting readers throughout the week to go on a “blind date with a banned book.” People will be able to check out books completely wrapped in brown paper, but notes written on the front will explain why they were placed on the banned list.
Corona Library (38-23 104th Street) will throw a Banned Books Party on Friday, Oct. 6, from 3:30-5:30 PM, inviting people to discuss their favorite banned books while dressing up as their favorite banned book character and taking pictures with fun props and backgrounds.
On Monday, Oct. 2, Wednesday, Oct. 4, and Friday, Oct. 6, from 4-4:45 PM, customers at Arverne Library (312 Beach 54 Street) can contribute to creating a mural of banned books made with various objects and pen-and-ink collage as part of “Make-A-Mural: Banned Books Story” program.
On Thursday, Oct. 5, from 6:30 to 7:30 PM library goers can read excerpts from their favorite banned book and share their thoughts about why it resonates with them during Banned Books Open Mic at Peninsula Library (92-25 Rockaway Beach Boulevard).
In addition, a virtual literature-focused discussion group, run by QPL’s Mail-A-Book program, will focus its fall programming on banned books with “The Storyteller” by Jodi Piccoult scheduled to be discussed on Thursday, Oct. 26, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee on Thursday, Nov. 30 and “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison on Thursday, Dec. 28. Each program will take place from 11 AM to 12 PM. To join, go here.
Many of the banned or challenged books have been made into films. Throughout the week, a number of QPL locations across the borough will screen some of those movies, followed by librarian-led discussions, including: “The Hate U Give” based on a book by Angie Thomas, on Thursday, Oct. 5 at 1 PM, at Fresh Meadows Library (193-20 Horace Harding Expy), and “The Kite Runner” inspired by a novel by Khaled Hosseini on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 12 PM at Far Rockaway Library (1003 Beach 20th Street).
As part of Banned Books Week, all branches will be distributing banned books buttons, and QPL librarians have curated lists of the most popular banned and challenged books. To learn more about other QPL Banned Books Week events and activities, please visit https://queenslib.org/FreedomtoRead.
***
Contact:
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917 702 0016
Where to go and what to do when mental health is an issue
If your little one develops a fever, you call the pediatrician. If she breaks an arm or sprains an ankle, you head to the orthopedist. But when your child is struggling with anxiety or acting out with worrisome behavior, the next step is a little less clear. Should you reach out to a pediatrician or mental health professional? And if so—how?
For so many parents, it’s a familiar dilemma. One in five young people suffers from mental health issues, yet a shortage of adolescent mental health specialists has left parents struggling to find appropriate care when they need it. “Around the country, families seeking help for a child in a crisis often have to wait months for an appointment with a specialist, a delay that can cause great suffering,” says Vera Feuer, MD, director of emergency psychiatry at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. Others turn to their local emergency department — a high-stress space best reserved for extreme situations.
Northwell Health has helped expand behavioral health services for kids and teens in mental or emotional turmoil. But it’s not always easy to know when to make the first move or exactly what it should be. Here is a guide to getting your kids the behavioral health care they need.
STEP 1: FIGURE OUT IF YOUR CHILD NEEDS HELP
School stress, friend drama, family strife: The life of a child is a roller-coaster ride at the best of times. Plus, surging hormones are an inescapable part of development, which means that unpredictable behavior is sometimes unavoidable. Take teenagers for example, says Dr. Feuer: “Sudden moodiness or impulsivity may seem like a cause for concern, but it’s typical for teenage emotions to fly high.” So how do you separate garden-variety volatility from a serious problem?
Look for significant changes, especially if they persist, says Dr. Feuer. “Any changes that last longer than two weeks can be a red flag, especially when they begin to impact everyday life,” she says.
Be aware if your child:
- Can’t sleep well or sleeps too much
- Shows a loss of interest in usual activities
- Feels overly sad, anxious, angry and aggressive, or having difficulty in school
- Exhibits changes in eating habits
- Struggles with social or family relationships
STEP 2: START WITH YOUR PEDIATRICIAN
You think your child could benefit from behavioral health care — now what? For most parents, consulting the family doctor is a good first step. Your pediatrician knows you and your child and, because she sees so many children, can provide an informed assessment of whether your young one’s behavior is outside the normal range.
Ask your pediatrician if she is comfortable and knowledgeable in addressing mental health issues. Since 2010, a New York State Office of Mental Health program called Project TEACH (Training and Education for the Advancement of Children’s Health) has been bolstering pediatricians’ ability to deliver care for mild-to-moderate mental health issues.
The program has provided psychiatric consultation support for more than 23,000 pediatric patients so far. (Northwell Health is a collaborator on the program.) Your pediatrician may refer you to a child and adolescent psychiatrist, clinical child psychologist, clinical social worker or other mental or behavioral health specialist for further evaluation, testing or treatment. Behavioral health therapies may include counseling, evidence-based therapies, education or medication.
Another good first stop: A school professional, such as a counselor or school psychologist. Such professionals can offer advice, refer you to resources and help coordinate a larger intervention team for your child if needed.
STEP 3: SEEK MORE URGENT CARE WHEN NEEDED
If your child’s emotions or behaviors are extreme or out of control, if he seems severely agitated and unable to calm down or is expressing thoughts of harming himself, he needs more urgent attention, says Dr. Feuer. In many cases, a pediatric behavioral health urgent care center can help. If you don’t have access to a behavioral health urgent care center, or if you’re concerned that your child’s or someone else’s life may be in immediate danger, go to your nearest emergency room or call 911.
STEP 4: KEEP TALKING
It’s hard for kids to admit when they’re struggling, says Dr. Feuer — they may be embarrassed to talk about their worries or impulses, or fear they’ll be blamed. It’s important to leave judgment at the door. Talk to them about what they are experiencing, and listen with curiosity and empathy. Say things like: I hear you, I’m so glad you told me, I’m here to support you, tell me more, suggests Dr. Feuer.
WHEN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT MAKES SENSE
Although the emergency department (ED) can be unsettling for a child in crisis, there are times when it’s the right place to go. Call 911 or head to the nearest ED if:
Your child has hurt themselves
If your child communicates that they’ve taken an overdose or has otherwise put themselves in physical danger, you need a clinical setting staffed by ED doctors, nurses and crisis experts.
Your child is not cooperative
Some children are resistant to help. “Parents may have very real fears that their child might open the car door, jump out and run while they’re being transported,” says psychiatrist Vera Feuer. “If they’re not working with you at all, that could be a reason to get 911 involved.”
There's no alternative
Crises don’t respect the clock. If your child needs help when the urgent care center is closed, the ED is the best option. After your child is stabilized, emergency staff can refer him out to an urgent care center for follow-up.
It may be helpful to tell your child about other people who experience similar problems.
Also important: Be sure to emphasize that their problems are not their fault, that mental health challenges are not a sign that something is wrong with them as a person, and that the family is on their side every step of the way.
WHAT’S TROUBLING KIDS MOST
The most commonly diagnosed mental disorders in children ages 3 to 17, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, are:
- Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Anxiety
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), and other disruptive behavior disorders
- Depression
Source: Northwell Health
Posts in This Series
Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the achievements of Hispanic Americans, the contributions of Hispanic people to our country, and the fact that there is no American culture without Hispanic culture.
Online Resources
Learn More about Hispanic Heritage Month from the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and their partner organizations.
Read President Biden's 2023 Proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Smithsonian Learning Lab: National Museum of the American Latino
The Smithsonian Learning Lab is a free, interactive web-based platform with millions of digital resources. This Learning Lab collection focuses on the Smithsonian's upcoming National Museum of the American Latino, which will recognize the accomplishments, history, and culture of Latino communities in the United States.
QPL's Hispanic Heritage Month Programs
Join us for our virtual and in-person programs, including art classes, author talks, concerts, cooking classes, and so much more!
QPL's Hispanic Heritage Month Booklists
Adult Books
Unauthorized: Portraits of Latino Immigrants by Marisol Clark-Ibáñez and Richelle S. Swan
Our America: a Hispanic History of the United States by Felipe Fernández-Armesto
Harvest of Empire: A History of Latinos in America by Juan González
Book | eBook | Español
Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America by Maria Hinojosa
Book | eBook | Español
Definitely Hispanic: Growing Up Latino and Celebrating What Unites Us by LeJuan James
Our Brave Foremothers: Celebrating 100 Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous Women Who Changed the Course of History by Rozella Kennedy and Joelle Avelino (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Latinx: The New Force in American Politics and Culture by Ed Morales
Hardcover | Paperback
Finding Latinx: In Search of the Voices Redefining Latino Identity by Paola Ramos
Book | Español
Viva Hollywood: The Legacy of Latin and Hispanic Artists in American Film by Luis I. Reyes
The Man Who Could Move Clouds by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español
Young Adult Books
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Pedro & Daniel by Federico Erebia and Julie Kwon (Illust.)
Book | eBook
Furia by Yamile Saied Méndez
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español
The Weight of Everything by Marcia Argueta Mickelson
Book | eBook
Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera
Book | eBook | Audiobook
I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español
The Moonlit Vine by Elizabeth Santiago
Book | eBook
More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera
Book | eBook
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Children's Books
The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español
A Song of Frutas by Margarita Engle and Sara Palacios (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Español
Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo
Book | eBook | Español
Once I Was You: Finding My Voice and Passing the Mic by Maria Hinojosa
Book | eBook | Español
Los Monstruos: Felice and the Wailing Woman by Diana López
Book | eBook
Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega and Rose Bousamra (Illust.)
Book | eBook
You Only Live Once, David Bravo by Mark Oshiro
Book | eBook | Audiobook
My Papi Has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero and Zeke Peña (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español | DVD
¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge by Raúl the Third
Book | eBook | Audiobook | DVD
Plátanos Are Love by Alyssa Reynoso-Morris and Mariyah Rahman (Illust.)
Book | eBook
Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor and Rafael López (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook | Español | Libro Electronico
Nuestra América: 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States
by Sabrina Vourvoulias and Gloria Félix (Illust.)
Queens Public Library Opens New Teen Center at Long Island City Library and Reopens Three Renovated Teen Centers at Cambria Heights, Central and Flushing Libraries
Each Site, Funded Through a Substantial Investment from Mayor Eric Adams, Features New Computers, Gaming Systems, AV Equipment and More
Dedicated Staff Are Available To Guide Teens and Provide Tech-Focused Instruction
Queens, NY_ Queens Public Library this week will open four state-of-the-art, tech-focused spaces dedicated exclusively to teens and supporting their unique needs, thanks to a $20 million investment from Mayor Adams and private foundations for teen center upgrades at public libraries across the city. This funding is part of his administration’s citywide strategy to help young people recover from the educational and emotional setbacks they experienced during an extended period of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Publicly accessible youth services to inspire, educate, and upskill are critical to the development of not only our teenagers but New York City as a whole,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “I am thrilled to see this $20 million public-private partnership and City investment come to fruition with more teen spaces and programming across the vibrant communities in the World’s Borough thanks to the Queens Public Library.”
These inviting, safe spaces – modeled on QPL’s Far Rockaway Teen Library, which was refurbished in 2022 with funding from Google – will start welcoming teens this week with open house events from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 12 at Central Library (89-11 Merrick Boulevard, Jamaica) on Wednesday, September 13, at Cambria Heights Library (218-13 Linden Boulevard) on Thursday, September 14, at Long Island City (37-44 21st Street) and on Friday, September 15 at Flushing Library (41-17 Main Street). There will be food, music, demonstrations and gift card raffles at each open house.
Last October, Mayor Adams announced a public-private partnership with Google, the Joly Family Foundation and Best Buy to award approximately $20 million, including $15 million from the City, towards opening teen spaces at New York City’s public libraries. All three library systems – Queens Public Library, Brooklyn Public Library and the New York Public Library - developed new or updated existing teen centers in underserved communities throughout the five boroughs, providing programming and enhanced learning opportunities to support skills and career development, allowing young people to connect with friends and neighbors and helping them find a path for success.
“Teens need dedicated spaces where they can connect with peers, lean on caring adults, learn new skills, experience state-of-the-art technology, and develop their interests,” said Queens Public Library President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott. “We are so pleased to offer our young people new, welcoming, safe places they can call their own, and we are grateful to Mayor Adams, his administration and Google.org for funding our teen centers and for being tremendous supporters of public libraries.”
Each QPL site will feature a new tech lab, providing teens with access to a variety of equipment and software such as iPads, laptops, 3-D printers, Adobe Creative Cloud, and gaming systems. The labs will offer instruction on coding languages, the ins and outs of 3-D printing, podcasting, audio and visual recording, editing, beat-making, and robotics.
Tech mentors will be available to provide one-on-one guidance to teens, connecting their passions, interests and skills to career opportunities, preparing them for the 21st century job market. And dedicated staff will guide teens as they navigate the everyday challenges of adolescence and offer programs around peer-to-peer learning, mental health, college access, career exploration, community engagement, and social justice.
The mayoral funding will also enable Queens Public Library to expand the following critical initiatives:
Youth Justice Court: Through Queens Public Library’s partnership with Queens Defenders, middle and high school students will learn about neighborhood issues and all sides of the criminal justice system at weekly workshops held at the five teen centers. They will train to become peer judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and jury members, and participate in a mock trial.
College Access: At Queens Public Library’s five teen centers and throughout the borough, the library will offer counseling and resources to help teens and their caregivers navigate the college application process and identify a post-secondary path.
Young Adult Literacy Services: Trained staff at Central Library and the Far Rockaway Teen Library will prepare young adults, ages 16-24, to earn a high school equivalency diploma. They also will provide digital literacy support, workforce readiness and resume workshops, multicultural seminars, computer-assisted instruction, internships, and case management services.
Civic Engagement: Through hands-on volunteer opportunities, teens will gain an understanding of the impact of community service that will contribute to a lifelong commitment towards helping others.
The hours of the upgraded teen centers are as follows:
Central Library Teen Center and Flushing Library Teen Center: Monday – Thursday, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Far Rockaway Teen Library: Monday – Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Cambria Heights Teen Center: Monday – Friday, 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Long Island City Teen Center: Monday – Friday, 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
***
Contact:
Ewa Kern-Jedrychowska, ekern@queenslibrary.org, 917-702-0016
Written by Clara Ontal
Antoinette Jamilah Ali-Sanders was an accomplished landscape architect and community activist. She broke barriers in her academic and professional career, paving the way in urban planning, landscape architecture, and education advocacy. At the intersection of Seagirt Boulevard and Beach 17th Street in Far Rockaway, Queens, a street is co-named in her honor.
Born on February 19, 1958, Ali-Sanders was the eldest of three children of Shaykh Abd'Allah Latif Ali, an activist who was instrumental in the Islamic community and Marcus Garvey movement. In an autobiographical essay written in 2015, Ali-Sanders embraces her heritage and family. She notes the significance of being a third-generation college graduate while simultaneously having dark skin. It meant her parents and grandparents had to overcome the exclusion of Black people who were “darker than a brown paper bag” from most colleges, with only colleges started by Black people, such as Tuskegee University, being the exception. Growing up in Teaneck, NJ - the first town to integrate schools - Ali-Sanders had experiences that were “sensitive and responsive to civil rights issues of the 1960s,” such as being involved in a fundraiser for Rosa Parks, which was influential in shaping her interest in social, political, and community activities. In high school, she participated in the Black Student Union, cheer squad, gymnastics team, and dance team, all while maintaining stellar grades. Thanks to her good grades and strong work ethic, she graduated high school a year early in 1975 and attended Rutgers University, where she majored in Landscape Architecture and minored in Civil Engineering. During her college years, members of the KKK broke into her car and threatened her, but Ali-Sanders persevered. In an act of solidarity, fraternity members from Kappas and Ques would walk with her to class. In 1980, Ali-Sanders became the first Black woman to earn a bachelor's degree from Rutgers’ Landscape Architecture program.
After graduation, Ali-Sanders pursued a career as a landscape designer and developer, while firmly rooted in her belief in revitalizing, not gentrifying, communities in New York and New Jersey. In 1981, Ali-Sanders began working with the New York City Parks Department. She was among the first group of women landscape designers, and she continued at the Parks Department for 35 years. During her tenure, she oversaw the construction of parks, playgrounds, and structures, and the restoration of monuments. As a union delegate, she organized against racial and gender discrimination in the workforce.
In 1982, she founded the Metro Skyway Construction Company to build affordable housing in Jersey City, NJ. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, she built nearly 100 affordable housing units and oversaw sweat equity programs to help community members remain in their neighborhoods in Jersey City.
As a resident of Far Rockaway, Queens, she engaged with elected officials, community groups, and residents to raise awareness about ongoing gentrification in an effort to keep residents from being pushed out. Her aim was to revitalize Far Rockaway to serve the needs of the local community. She was inspired by Martha’s Vineyard as a “beautiful beachfront community that has a thriving Black community,” and wanted to apply this model to Far Rockaway. She achieved this vision through her restoration of O’Donohue Park. Her design of a stage and seating area overlooking Rockaway Beach allows residents to gather for community events and enjoy a meal from the waterfront restaurant, DredSurfer.
Ali-Sanders also advocated for various causes related to civic empowerment and educational opportunities, and was actively involved in city politics. In the 1990s, she began volunteering with the All Stars Project, working on the Committee for Independent Action - a community organizing initiative that trained people to advocate on behalf of the city’s poor. In 1994, she was involved with the New York State Black Political Convention and was a member of the National Action Network. She attended legislative and policy conferences in Washington, DC, where she advocated on behalf of the Black community. She also met with national leaders, learning firsthand about upcoming legislation, which she would then relay back to the network for further action.
During this time, Ali-Sanders played an active role in advocating for improvements in Black education. She joined the Association of Black Educators of New York (ABENY) and hosted her own cable access show, “Jamilah Ali Community Affairs Program,” an advocacy platform for advancing Black education and wellness in the community. (Spencer, Christian. “A Street for Jamilah.” The Wave, 03 October 2019, paragraph 14.)
Compassion was an impetus for her community activism and was just as present in her relationships with family and friends. Safiah Ali-Jenkins, Ali-Sanders’ younger sister, fondly recalls, “As my oldest sister, she always had time for me and would allow me to tag along with her and her friends. My fondest memories were when she went to college when I was only seven, and I would spend weekends with her in her dorm. She would take me to basketball games, campus functions, and parties. Those were some of the best times of my childhood.” Ali-Sanders’ stepdaughter Nzinga Cerrice Dawson, who refers to Ali-Sanders as Jamilah, said “Jamilah taught me so much about life and parenthood. Her example influenced many of the choices that I made when I had my children (i.e. only giving them homemade baby food and only having Black characters in their books/toys). The way she loved me became the blueprint for when I became a stepmother myself.”
Malik Sanders, Ali-Sanders' son, continues to be inspired by the way his mother “fought for her family and community, no matter what the odds against her.” He recounts how she had battles of her own and still found time to give to others, teaching him “to remember that everyone we meet may be facing personal battles, and we should try to extend the same grace we would like to have extended our way.”
To this day, she is remembered fondly for her kind nature and compassion towards her community. At her favorite local eatery, the DredSurfer restaurant on Rockaway beach, workers Mercedes and Charles remember her as a dear kind friend who enjoyed good conversation along with her meals, while overlooking the water. Mercedes remembers how Ali-Sanders and Charles’ young niece, Justice, would play together on the beach. When Justice was informed of Ali-Sanders’ passing, she cried a lot at the loss of a friend. Mercedes said Ali-Sanders was not one to boast of her many accomplishments. Mercedes found out only after her passing that the landscape surrounding the DredSurfer was designed by Ali-Sanders.
Following her passing in 2019, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards co-named Beach 17th Street after Ali-Sanders to honor her achievements and contributions to the community. At the time, her son, Malik, was working on land use at the Borough President's Office and launching an environmental initiative with his colleague, Katherine Brezler. He describes the initiative as a continuation of her legacy: “My mom is definitely looking down smiling…That is a program after her own heart.”
Thank you to Malik Sanders and the family of Antoinette Jamilah Ali-Sanders for their contributions to this article.
Posts in This Series
It's time for the 2023-2024 School Year!
School is back in session, and you and your family will be ready, with help from Queens Public Library!
Back-to-School Guide
QPL is here for kids, parents, caregivers, and educators with our extensive Back-to-School Guide in four languages: English, Bengali (বাংলা), Chinese (中文), and Spanish (Español)!
This year's Back-to-School Guide includes:
- Library Resources and Databases for Students
- Early Learning, School Aged, and Young Adult Booklists (which you can also find below)
- Articles about Your Child's School Sleep Schedule, What to Do When Your Child is Hurting, and Family Communication
- The 2023-2024 NYC Public School Calendar
- and much more!
You can download QPL’s 2023-2024 Back-to-School Guide here:
STACKS Afterschool
Do you know anyone who might need help with their homework this Fall? If so, point them to STACKS!
Developed by Queens Public Library, STACKS is a free afterschool enrichment program for children in grades K-5. STACKS was created to enhance children’s learning experiences through age-appropriate activities in a safe, welcoming environment.
All programs are held in-person at nine locations across Queens. STACKS operates throughout the school year (including school holidays), Mondays-Fridays, 3pm-5:30pm. For Fall 2023, classes will begin Monday, October 2.
Registration will be open from Monday, September 18 to Friday, October 6. Each location will be hosting information sessions and enrollment kickoff days. We encourage parents to attend to receive more information.
Learn More about STACKS: queenslib.org/qplstacks
Kick Off to Kindergarten & Toddler Learning Centers
You’re never too young to start your educational journey!
QPL’s Kick Off to Kindergarten (K2K) program enables young children (ages 3-5) to develop their early literacy skills—and begin a lifelong love of reading! Meanwhile, their parents and caregivers receive guidance to become confident in their ability to support their child’s development. Classes are offered virtually and in-person, with translation support in Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
Designed to serve the needs of toddlers (approx. ages 18-38 months) and their caregivers, QPL’s Toddler Learning Centers (TLCs) are hosted at multiple Queens Public Library locations across the borough. While your children play in a safe, nurturing environment and participate in guided activities, early learning professionals will offer you advice about speech development, nutrition, early literacy, gross motor development, and much more.
Our Fall 2023 K2K and TLC programs are starting soon; visit our Early Learning Services webpage for more information and to register.
Back-to-School Programs
Join us in-person at the Library for our upcoming programs and get ready for the new school year.
Back-to-School Booklists
Here are some books from the Library for early readers, school-age kids, and teens that will help kids deal with first-day-of-school anxiety, and get them excited for the classroom and beyond!
Early Learning
The Queen of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Bitsy Bat, School Star by Kaz Windness
Book | eBook
The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Español
Danbi Leads the School Parade by Anna Kim
Book | eBook
El Cucuy Is Scared, Too! by Donna Barba Higuera and Juliana Perdomo (Illust.)
Book | eBook
Time for School, Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry (Illust.)
Book | eBook
How to be Confident in Kindergarten by D.J. Steinberg and Ruth Hammond (Illust.)
Book | eBook
Giant-Sized Butterflies on My First Day of School by Justin Roberts and Paola Escobar (Illust.)
Book | eBook
School Aged
Finally Seen by Kelly Yang
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Twins vs. Triplets: Back-to-School Blitz by Jennifer Torres and Vanessa Flores (Illust.)
Book | eBook
New Kid by Jerry Craft
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Mindy Kim and the Yummy Seaweed Business by Lyla Lee and Dung Ho (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
The First Day of School by Margaret McNamara and Mike Gordon (Illust.)
Book | eBook
Attack of the Black Rectangles by A.S. King
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Join the Club, Maggie Diaz by Nina Moreno and Courtney Lovett (Illust.)
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Just Right Jillian by Nicole D. Collier
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Young Adult
Study Break: 11 College Tales from Orientation to Graduation by Aashna Avachat (Editor)
Surviving High School by Lele Pons and Melissa de la Cruz
Book | eBook
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
Book | Audiobook
Promise Boys by Nick Brooks
Book | eBook
Begin Again by Emma Lord
Book | eBook | Audiobook
Throwback by Maurene Goo
Book | eBook
The High School Survival Guide by Jessica Holsman
Book | eBook
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New York City is officially going through a heat wave, and Queens Public Library is here to help!
If you don’t have air conditioning in your home or your apartment, or if you are at risk for heat-related illness, please visit your local library.
Public libraries in New York City serve as official “cooling centers” during a heat emergency. Cooling centers are places where you can enjoy air-conditioned comfort. They are free and open to the public, even if you are not using their services.
NYC Emergency Management will let the public know when a heat emergency happens, such as an unusually hot day, or several hot days in a row.
If you need a cool place to visit, stop by your local QPL branch for great books, programs, and events—and stay for the air conditioning!
All open Queens Public Library locations except Glen Oaks and Mitchell-Linden will operate as NYC Cooling Centers during this heat emergency. Visit https://www.queenslibrary.org/about-us/locations for our hours of operation.
To check for any changes in the status of the air conditioning at your local library, please contact them directly.
If you need to find another Cooling Center closer to you, please call 311 or visit the NYC Cooling Centers webpage.
QPL's Teen Committee has come up with these great steps to help you make the most of your upcoming school year.
Don't miss the Grand Reopening of QPL's newly renovated Teen Centers, and the debut of our new Teen Center at Long Island City Library, starting Tuesday, September 12! Learn More.
5 Steps to a Successful School Year!
Step #1: Build a Healthy Sleep Routine
It's important to build a healthy sleep routine so you can feel mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared for the school year.
Build your sleep routine by:
- Turning off your phone and any other devices an hour before bedtime, to lessen mental stimulation before bed.
- Getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep.
- Setting your alarm clock at night to wake you up early enough to get prepared for your school day. (You can even do some of your preparation the night before, like making your lunch or packing your school bag.)
Step #2: Make a Meal Plan
Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day.
The word "breakfast" broken up means to break the fast. Your body needs nourishment after sleeping for hours.
The night before, plan out your meal options for the morning:
- Do you have enough time to make a warm meal, or only time for a quick bowl of cereal?
- Does your school offer breakfast services?
- Are you sticking with a New York classic and getting your bacon, egg, and cheese from your local deli?
The options are endless; just be sure to plan your morning meal according to your needs.
Step #3: Create a Schedule
After the first day or first week of school, you should know what classes you are taking this year and the assignments that are due in the first few weeks of the semester.
Each semester, plan accordingly and schedule out what needs to be done during the school year, and at what time.
You can do this by:
- Buying or creating your own yearly planner, or
- Creating a schedule on your phone’s calendar by color-coding your subjects and assignments.
Step #4: Know Where You’re Headed
Starting a new grade or a new school can be scary.
But if you plan beforehand, you can lessen your anxiety.
- Check the average time it takes for you to commute from your home to your school.
- If you're not riding a school bus, see what public buses or trains are the best ones to use to get you to school on time.
- Use the time before school to make sure your train or bus is running on schedule.
- Have a back-up plan. If you miss your school bus, or the train or bus you normally take isn't running properly, what are some other ways to get to school?
- Once you’re at school, do you know where to enter and where your first class is? (Especially important if you're at a new school.)
Planning all of this ahead of time will lessen your anxiety.
And keep in mind that it’s okay to ask for help!
Step #5: Set Your Intentions for the School Year
Do you want to make new friends?
Join new clubs or activities after school?
Do you want better grades or test scores?
Set your intentions for this school year right before school starts, and make a plan of action to succeed. Success starts with you!
If you are not sure where to start or how to make a plan of action, remember that it is okay to ask for help.
And Here's an Extra Step!
Visit one of our 5 Teen Centers (Cambria Heights, Central Library, Flushing, Long Island City, and the Far Rockaway Teen Library), where our staff can help you plan out all the steps on this list.
Queens Public Library is here to help you have a successful school year!
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Gardening is a fun and engaging hobby for children and adults, with many benefits!
The benefits of gardening include:
- Doing good for the planet.
- Reducing stress and anxiety.
- Bonding with family, friends, and members of your community.
You can get into gardening with a little help from QPL’s Seed Library!
You might ask…
What is a seed library?
Just like books, you can check out packets of seeds from QPL. You can plant, grow, and harvest the seeds. Any leftover seeds, or new seeds harvested at the end of the growing season, may be brought back to the library.
How does it work?
Check out seed packets—this is the same process used for taking home other library materials like books and DVDs.
Where can I check out seeds?
Seeds are available at the following QPL locations:
Seed packets are available while supplies last, with a limit of 3 packets per person.
Pictures from a QPL Seed Library, courtesy of Basil E. Frankweiler.
What kind of seeds are available?
- Pollinators for Bees
- Pollinators for Butterflies
- Easy to Grow/Hard to Kill
- Seeds for Advanced Gardeners
- Threatened Species
* all seeds are native and/or non-invasive to New York.
For a helpful guide to begin your gardening journey, read our Growing Guide.
The Seed Library is made possible by the Queens Public Library Foundation's Innovation Fund, and through a partnership with the Queens Botanical Garden.