Page 8 - qt edition #37

PAGE 8 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

NYC School Construction Authority Celebrates Ribbon
Cutting for Largest-Ever SCA Project-3,066-Seat
Queens Innovation Center
(Continued from page 7) version projects are adding 213 bring shorter commutes and direct
seats at: access to career-aligned training (Continued from page 4) Ave., Fort Totten.
will be home to the following new • I.S. 101, 2750 Lafayette Ave, and real-world experience for • Sept. 18, To Ignite Our Skin,
high schools: Bronx – 104 seats students in Woodside and neigh- presentation by Namshik Yoon, a Dec. 22. Art by Patricia Ayres,
• Gotham Tech High School • Far Rockaway High School, boring communities,” Assembly retired NYC Chief of Operations, Elaine Cameron-Weir, Sarah
• Motion Picture Technical High 8-21 Beach 25 St, Queens – 59 Member Steven Raga said. “They Urban Park Ranger, and Earth Friend, Yu Ji, Mire Lee, Umico
School seats all offer unique and exciting new Science Teacher. He will discuss Niwa, Mimi Park, Ana Raylander
• Northwell School of Health • Elmhurst Educational Campus, opportunities for our families local soil ecosystems, including Mártis dos Anjos, Sofia Sinabaldi,
Science 45-10 94 St, Queens – 50 seats and community members, and I the origin of Long Island soil and Erik Tlaseca. Opening recep-
• P993Q “The Queens Innovation Center cannot wait to welcome all the and its impact on plant life and tion on Sept. 17 at 6 pm. Sculptu-
The high school will also house is an exceptional facility that will students into the building. A huge agriculture. Bayside Historical reCenter, 44-19 Purves St., Long
a total of eighteen special educa- enable thousands of high school thank you to everyone’s hard work Society, The Castle, 208 Totten Island City.
tion classrooms with their own students to receive an outstanding on this project; I cannot wait to see
main office, two speech rooms, education in a number of cutting- all the accomplishments that will Honoring Queens Religious Hub,
three additional resource rooms edge areas of study,” said Queens take place here!”
and guidance offices, as well as Borough President Donovan Rich- As part of SCA’s Public Art Speaker Adrienne Adams, Elected
an occupational therapy room, ards Jr. “Students interested in for Public Schools program, six Officials, and Community and Faith
physical therapy room, changing the STEM fields, in the health new, site-specific artworks were
room, and multi-purpose room. sciences, and in motion picture installed in new buildings this Leaders Unveil “Masjid Al Abidin Way”
The $178.85 million project was production will all get an educa- year by artists Miguel Arzabe,
designed by the SCA’s in-house tion here that will prepare them Queens Innovation Center - Daru (Continued from page 7) ing that this masjid is now woven
team of architects and engineers to have bright and prosperous fu- Jung Hyang Kim, P.S. 26 Addi- into the fabric of New York City
and constructed by Turner Con- tures. Students with special needs tion - Jessica Mafia, The Travis tegral role Masjid Al Abidin has itself,” said Imam Shaykh Safraz
struction. will also have a wonderful place to Community Campus - Therman played in the societal fabric of Bacchus. “The act of worship,
Nine new school facilities have learn and develop in this amenity- Statom, P.S. 160 Addition - Jing our borough for nearly 50 years. central to the Islamic tradition
been completed in four boroughs. filled, modern school building. I Wei, P.S. 5 Addition and Glen With this street co-naming, we and embodied in the architecture
With a commitment to fostering offer my deepest thanks and ap- Wilson, P.S. 105 Addition. celebrate the countless lives this of this masjid, is now publicly
an enriching educational environ- preciation to the School Construc- Artworks were created using institution has changed for the embraced as part of the enduring
ment, the new school buildings tion Authority for its great work on a variety of materials including better.” legacy and diverse identity of all
feature modern classrooms, ad- this project, and I wish all those hand-blown, hand-painted and “The co-naming of the inter- New Yorkers. It’s a recognition
vanced technology, and versatile who will study, teach, and work printed glass; repurposed fabric section of 127th Street and Lib- of the work and service and the
learning spaces to ensure that they in the Queens Innovation Center and aluminum shavings; woven erty Avenue in honor of Masjid history of our community.”
meet the diverse needs of New amazing success.” acrylic on canvas; porcelain enam- Al Abidin recognizes a historic “This is a significant achieve-
York City’s student population. “The opening of Gotham Tech, el; printed aluminum composite institution founded by Muslim ment,” said Aziz Madeen, Presi-
They are also constructed with Motion Picture Tech High School, and glass mosaic tile. Images are immigrants from Guyana and the dent of Masjid Al Abidin, “and
green spaces and environmen- Northwell School of Health Sci- available online. Caribbean,” said Queens District a meaningful recognition of our
tally friendly materials, promoting ences, and the D75 high school on For additional information on Attorney Melinda Katz. “I thank community and the work we do
sustainability and environmental this new campus opens new doors the New York City School Con- City Council Speaker Adrienne as a place of worship committed
stewardship. Other buildings for Queens scholars,” said Council struction Authority, please visit E. Adams for recognizing the to service.”
opening this year include: Member Julie Won. “Queens will www.nycsca.org faith institution that has served “The co-naming of 127th Street
• Flora Iannarelli Educational now have these cutting-edge, About the SCA - The School Richmond Hill since 1977.” in honor of Masjid Al Abdin is a
Complex, 2202 60th St, Brooklyn career focused high schools in a Construction Authority’s (SCA) Masjid Al Abidin is led by powerful symbol of recognition,
– 640 seats state-of-the-art facility that caters mission is to design and construct President Aziz Madeen and Imam inclusion, and pride,” said Vijah
• Travis Community Campus, to the curiosities in the sciences, safe, attractive, and environmen- Shaykh Safraz Bacchus, a faith Ramjattan, Executive Director
4074 Victory Blvd, Staten Island media, and technology with access tally sound public schools for leader who serves as a community of the New York City Office for
– 547 seats to experts in the field for the next children throughout the many partner with the NYPD’s 106th the Prevention of Hate Crimes.
• P.S. 26 Addition, 195-02 69 generation.” communities of New York City. Precinct, a chaplain at two major “Masjid Al Abdin has long been
Ave, Queens – 399 seats “The completion of the new We are dedicated to building and healthcare facilities in Queens, a cornerstone of this community,
• P.S. 160 Addition, 145-14 Queens Innovation Center will modernizing schools in a respon- and a member of Queens District and this honor reflects the values
Glassboro Ave, Queens – 354 seats offer students the ability to pursue sible, cost-effective manner while Attorney Melinda Katz’s Clergy we hold dear in New York City
• P.S. 105 Addition, 2880 Cruger new passions and offer unparal- achieving the highest standards of Advisory Council. During the CO- — diversity, equity, and unity. At
Ave, Bronx – 344 seats leled opportunities,” said Senate excellence in safety, quality, and VID-19 pandemic, Imam Safraz a time when visibility and repre-
• P.S. 5 Addition, 348 Deisius St, Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. integrity. Bacchus provided emotional and sentation matter more than ever,
Staten Island – 290 seats “I know this space will prepare Established by the New York spiritual support to grieving fami- this celebration reminds us that
• Q509 Lease Renovation, 101-11 students for their future careers State Legislature in December lies, and he facilitated food and every community belongs and de-
104 St, Queens – 229 seats and set them up for success.” 1988, the SCA has provided nearly meal distributions for older adults serves to feel seen and respected.
• Millennium High School, 75 “Today, we are celebrating a 340,000 new school seats to New in the community. His humani- Congratulations to the Masjid Al
Broad Street, Manhattan – 165 major development for Assembly York City students, and protected, tarian contributions include aid Abdin community on this well-
seats District 30 — the opening of 3 repaired, and upgraded over 1,800 and relief efforts for underserved deserved recognition.”
• P.S. 182 Annex, 88-13 Parsons Career and Technical Education schools in over 1,400 school build- communities in Senegal, Gambia, “I have been associated with
Blvd, Queens – 100 seats (CTE) schools and a new public ings with over 12,500 capital and his native Guyana. In 2023, the Masjid Al Abidin for over 30
In addition, three room con- high school. These schools will improvement projects. the New York State Assembly years,” said Dr. Dhanpaul Narine.
ACS Launches Bold Three-Year Strategic Plan to Strengthen honored Imam Safraz Bacchus “It has touched many lives with its
with the Lincoln-King Visionary charitable work and benevolence.
Family Services Across NYC Award for his commitment to The official opening and street-
naming is to be celebrated. May
service and community-building.
(Continued from page 3) Plan: over 100 programs citywide, of- “By co-naming 127th Street the Masjid continue to inspire and
• Centering Family Perspectives: fering services such as counseling, and Liberty Avenue as ‘Masjid make a positive difference in the
and families in the best possible Hiring a parent advisor, strengthen- substance misuse treatment, home- Al Abidin Way,’ we are affirm- lives of the community.”
way,” said ACS Commissioner Jess ing feedback loops, and support- making support, and assistance with
Dannhauser. “By incorporating ing providers in family-centered public benefits. These efforts have
family perspectives, building on a practices. contributed to a historic decline
commitment to best practices, in- • Building Provider Capacity: in foster care placements, with
creasing awareness of our services Offering technical assistance, train- thousands more children remaining
and more, we are ensuring that our ing, and resources to help providers safely at home.
work remains viable, available respond flexibly to family needs. A 2024 survey of families
and responsive to families seeking • Increasing Community En- receiving services revealed high
support.” gagement: Expanding outreach, satisfaction:
Deputy Commissioner Luisa Lin- improving referral pathways, and • 93% said services helped them
ares emphasized the agency’s com- collaborating with other agencies. achieve their goals
mitment to learning and listening: • Elevating Prevention Expertise: • 93% were happy with the sup-
“We are committed to learning Positioning the Family Services port received
new approaches to meet the needs Division and its providers as trusted • 91% would recommend the ser-
of families, nurture stronger con- leaders in child welfare. vices to others
nections with the communities we • Upholding Best Practices: Apply- • 91% would return to their pro-
serve, and embrace an identity that ing evidence-based models and in- vider for future help
places learning and listening at the vesting in continuous improvement For more information or to view
heart of everything we do.” through research and innovation. the full strategic plan, visit [ACS
Key Priorities of the Strategic ACS currently partners with online].