Queens Centers for Progress Celebrates 75 Years of Service at 2025 Anniversary Gala

Queens Centers for Progress (QCP), a cornerstone of support in Queens for individuals with developmental disabilities, joyfully celebrated its 75th Anniversary Gala on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the iconic Terrace on the Park. More than 230 generous supporters and attendees united, raising $200,000 to bolster vital programs and services for thousands of children and adults. This milestone event honored QCP's remarkable journey from its 1950 founding to its current leadership role in advocacy, empowerment, and community inclusion for those it serves.

Since its inception, QCP has evolved from a small group of dedicated parents and advocates into a comprehensive provider of services that reach more than 1,200 individuals annually. Over three-quarters of a century, QCP has expanded its programs to include early childhood education, vocational training, residential services, and innovative therapies, all designed to help individuals with developmental disabilities achieve greater independence and quality of life.

Throughout its history, QCP has been at the forefront of change-pioneering inclusive education, advocating for disability rights, and building partnerships that have transformed lives across Queens. Its impact is seen in the thousands of children and adults who have found opportunities, community, and hope through its programs.

“Our 75th Anniversary Gala was more than a celebration of QCP’s history; it was a testament to the lives we’ve touched and the progress we’ve made together,” said QCP Executive Director Terri Ross. “As we honor our past, we are also looking ahead, committed to breaking new ground in how we support people with developmental disabilities. The challenges and opportunities before us inspire us to dream bigger and do even more for the community we serve.”

This milestone event brought together community leaders, supporters, and advocates to honor individuals making a significant impact in Queens and beyond. New York City Council Member James Gennaro attended the evening, which featured dinner, awards presentations, and a celebration of QCP’s legacy of service.

The 2025 Gala recognized three outstanding honorees for their commitment to QCP’s mission and the broader Queens community:

Greg Bianco, Chief Executive Officer, Metropolitan Recycling. As the founder and CEO of Metropolitan Recycling, Greg Bianco has demonstrated exceptional leadership in sustainability and community engagement.

“I am humbly honored to be recognized by Queens Centers for Progress. QCP provides incredible opportunities and fosters community among individuals with developmental disabilities. I am grateful to participate in their vital work in any small way I can, and am, committed long-term to supporting QCP in their admirable mission to support both adults and children with disabilities and include them in the community. My heartfelt gratitude and appreciation go to QCP,” Bianco said.

Paul D. Schuldiner, Executive Vice President & Chief Lending Officer, Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc., a privately held commercial finance company specializing in factoring, asset-based lending, purchase order financing, equipment leasing, and e-commerce direct to consumer inventory financing.

“After my visit to QCP, I was quite emotionally drained upon witnessing the diverse population and needs that are addressed by the caring staff of QCP,” Schuldiner said. “The staff does the work with such skill and empathy that is most difficult yet most rewarding for all involved in caring for human beings with real needs. I am unable to digest what would happen to all of the QCP attendees without the existence of this institution!”

QCP also recognized Cindy Heller, Director of Children’s Services at QCP, for her decades of service. Cindy Heller has spent nearly 50 years at QCP. She started as a Special Ed Teacher in 1978, working her way up to Supervising Teacher, Educational Coordinator, Assistant Director, and currently as Director of Children’s Services.

“I am so incredibly honored to be recognized at QCP’s Gala, especially as part of QCP’s 75th anniversary celebration,” Cindy Heller said. “QCP has always been the best agency – ethical, supportive, multicultural and filled with opportunities. We are all working toward the same ongoing mission – to have children and adults with multiple disabilities, and their families, reach their potential, gain independence and be part of the larger community.”

The generous event sponsors included: Metropolitan Recycling (Diamond Anniversary); Otterbourgh, P.C. and Shade Tree Advisors (Underwriters); American Recycling Management, LLC, Rosenthal Capital Group, and Valley Bank (Benefactors); Borowide and Genesis Resource Enterprise (Patrons); as well as sponsors Flagstar Bank, IDB Bank, Long Island Employee Benefits Group, Santander Commercial Banking, and Tarek M. Zeid, P.E., Consulting Engineer. QCOP also thanks Friends of QCP: CIT/First Citizens Bank Dvora Rabino & Herb Leventer, FGI Worldwide LLC, Joel & Shari Beckman, Milberg Factors Inc., Planet Waste Services, Inc., Queens College, TD Bank, The Ray-Bloc Stationery Co., Inc, Tom & Meira Fleisch, and TotalCareRX.