Jamaica Neighborhood Center

161-08 89th Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11432   
                   
Agency Contact
Slyvia Walker, Project Coordinator
(718)739-2060 ext 14
swalkerjnc@aol.com

Jule A. Grant, Program Director                
(718) 739-2060 ext. 12
jncadvisory@yahoo.com
                   
Nature and Purpose of Agency
The Jamaica Neighborhood Center Mission is to serve the needs of the community while building upon the strengths of the persons we serve.  With emotional sensitivity, we work through partnerships which entail mutually identified goals.  These aim to improve the quality of life and to actualize the full potential of all peoples.  Working in ways that respect ethnic and cultural diversity, we encourage economic and civic responsibility while, at the same time, seeking to challenge institutions to be responsive to the needs of all, especially the most vulnerable in the community.

Tasks Available for Students

  • Adventures in Reading - a program to encourage the love of reading in children, works in collaboration with Literacy, Inc. and the Cultural Collaborative of Jamaica.  Volunteers can read to children in a group setting or one on one.  Programs are hosted at local Day Care Centers and Wick (Women and Infants with Child) centers to promote early literacy and reading is fun; all within walking distance from JNC.  Monday through Friday – 10am – 12:30pm.  Hours are flexible hours within these times.
  • Childhood Asthma Coalition of Queens - provides education and advocacy to families living with asthma in Southeast Queens.  Jamaica has the highest level or percentage of children with asthma in Queens.  Volunteers can work with advocacy and education; visit with local elementary schools and education students and parents about caring for asthma.  Volunteers are needed two times per month; attend one department meeting every second Tuesday of the month and visit with one school.
  • Southeast Queens Lupus Connection - increases awareness, resources and attention to Lupus; advocating and educating for a better quality of life for people with Lupus or their families.  Lupus mainly strikes women of color and is often misdiagnosed.  There are currently no clinics or centers to help education women and their families in Queens.  Volunteers are needed to provide information and additional resources for families affected by this disease as well as preventive measures and identifying factors.  JNC needs volunteers to host a ½ day clinic at Jamaica Hospital in St. Albans clinic. 
  • RUFUS King Park - is the only Landmark Park with a Landmark Manor House in all of NY City.  JNC is working in collaboration with El Centro “Cuzcatlan” and the Greater Jamaica Development Corporation to improve use of the park.  Volunteers are needed with park clean-up, weeding, gardening, painting or youth and senior programming.
  • JNC JOB CLUB - community members seeking employment opportunities collaborate and support each other to achieve the sills and knowledge base to prepare for, obtain and keep a job.  Assist with mock interviews and resume building.

Time Requirements
JNC is very flexible with all their hours.  There are no specific time requirements or commitments.

Agency Directions
Public Transportation
Take the Q30 Bus from Utopia Pky and Union Tp station heading to Jamaica.  Get off at Jamaica Av and 162 St.  Start out going North on 162nd St towards 89th Ave.  Turn left onto 89th Ave.

Driving
Start out going SOUTH on UTOPIA PKWY toward 80TH RD.  UTOPIA PKWY becomes HOMELAWN ST.  Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto 169TH ST.  Turn RIGHT onto HILLSIDE AVE/NY-25.  Turn LEFT onto 162ND ST.  Turn RIGHT onto 89TH AVE.  16108 89TH AV