QCP Gala Honors Advocates, Raises Funds for Disability Services
MOHAMED FARGHALY
Mfarghaly@queensledger.com
Queens Centers for Progress (QCP), a leading nonprofit serving individuals with developmental disabilities, marked a historic milestone on Tuesday, June 17, with its 75th Anniversary Gala at Terrace on the Park. The event drew more than 230 attendees and raised over $200,000 in support of QCP’s critical services for children and adults across Queens.
The evening not only celebrated QCP’s decades of impact since its founding in 1950, but also paid tribute to the legacy of Cindy Heller, who is retiring after 47 years of service to the organization. Heller, Director of Children’s Services, has been a transformative force in early childhood special education and a cornerstone of QCP’s mission for nearly five decades.
“I am so incredibly honored to be recognized at QCP’s Gala, especially as part of QCP’s 75th anniversary celebration,” 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.”
Courtesy QCP
Heller joined QCP in 1978, fresh out of Columbia University with a master’s degree in special education. She began as a teacher in one of the first classrooms in Queens for children deinstitutionalized from the infamous Willowbrook State School. Over the years, she rose through the ranks to lead Children’s Services, helping shape one of the borough’s most respected preschool programs for children with complex developmental needs.
“Even when I was a teacher, I looked to increase my responsibilities and do more and more,” she recalled. “I became a supervisor of the teachers, then a coordinator, then I became an assistant director, and then now I’m retiring as the director of the Children’s Services.”
QCP Executive Director Terri Ross emphasized the dual significance of the evening—both a celebration of the organization’s history and a vision for the future.
Courtesy QCP
“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,” Ross said. “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.”
Founded by a small group of parents and advocates, QCP has grown into a comprehensive network supporting over 1,200 individuals each year. Its services include early childhood education, vocational training, residential programs, and therapeutic supports, all aimed at empowering people with disabilities to live more independently and fully integrated into their communities.
Tuesday’s gala honored three individuals for their contributions to QCP and the broader Queens community: Greg Bianco, CEO of Metropolitan Recycling; Paul D. Schuldiner, EVP and Chief Lending Officer of Rosenthal & Rosenthal, Inc.; and Heller, for her decades of service.
“I am humbly honored to be recognized by Queens Centers for Progress,” said Bianco. “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.”
Courtesy QCP
Schuldiner echoed that sentiment, noting the emotional impact of witnessing QCP’s programs firsthand. “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,” he said. “I am unable to digest what would happen to all of the QCP attendees without the existence of this institution!”
For Heller, the honor capped a career rooted in compassion, advocacy, and connection. As she looks forward to retirement—spending more time with her husband, daughter, and grandchildren—Heller hopes her legacy is one of inclusion and continued progress. “Just to remember that we have such a quality program and that we strive to have children meet all their challenges in life and for their families to feel supported and part of the community,” she said.
Courtesy QCP
To learn more about QCP or support its mission, visit queenscp.org.
