The 1906 Project Delivers COVID-19 Testing To Southeast Queens Residents In Partnership With Local Leaders and Health Providers

Jamaica, NY – On April 27th and 28th nearly 400 local residents received free COVID-19 testing at York College Performing Arts Center parking lot as part of a local effort sponsored by The 1906 Project, Inc., to help provide Southeast Queens residents with the necessary information to help combat the virus.

Jean Duchatellier, President of The 1906 Project, said, “We want to thank our many partners, including Congressman Gregory Meeks, Emerge Telemedicine and the team at mycovidmd.org for helping us to ensure that our families, friends and neighbors received the tests and necessary medical help where needed.”

Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-Queens), said, “The southeast Queens community is undoubtedly on the front lines of this crisis, and therefore more prone to exposure. Through this partnership with The 1906 Project, we’ve managed to issue free tests to hundreds of southeast Queens residents, right here in the heart of Jamaica,” Meeks said. “When it comes to getting coronavirus under control, testing is everything right now, and I thank The 1906 Project for their continued work with my office to make sure resources are available where they’re needed most.”

The 1906 Project Director Aldrin Enis pointed out “that although this type of effort is really a governmental responsibility, there are times when members of the community need to step up to help members of our community. Nothing in life is more important than the health of our people.”

Everett Hopkins, Director and General Counsel of The 1906 Project, lauded the efforts of the community working together to defeat the virus. Hopkins said “with the financial assistance from Congressman Gregory Meeks and groups like The Queens Chapter of The Links. One Hundred Black Men of New York, The Black Spectrum Theater and the United Black Golfers Association and the important contributions of our local elected officials New York State Senators Joseph Addabbo Jr., Leroy Comrie, James Sanders Jr.; New York State Assembly Members Clyde Vanel and Alicia-Hyndman; and New York City Council Members Donovan Richards Jr., along with other community members such as Mario Simmons Esq.; we are able to double our initial goal of 200 tests.”

Since 2008, The 1906 Project, Inc., a 501(c) 3 charitable organization, has partnered with individuals and institutions to build stronger communities by delivering quality service initiatives in the neighborhoods where we live, work and play. Our programs include: the Youth Chess Training Program, Annual College Scholarship, Free Thanksgiving Meal Baskets, and the Christmas Dinner & Toy Giveaway. We also annually support several Black College tours.