Serving Communities
About The 1906 Project, Inc.
The 1906 Project, Inc. is dedicated to creating stronger communities through collaboration, innovation, and meaningful programs that support families, youth, and seniors across Southeast Queens.
Our Story
Building Stronger Neighborhoods, Together
Founded in 1995, The 1906 Project, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening the communities of Southeast Queens, New York. We believe that resilient neighborhoods are built from the ground up, fueled by collaboration, citizen engagement, and accessible public programming.
Our mission is simple yet vital: we identify gaps in the delivery of critical community service programs and work hand-in-hand with local leaders, businesses, and grassroots innovators to implement immediate, impactful solutions. Whether we are helping families face temporary economic hardships or training the next generation of leaders, we are deeply committed to individual and community success.
How We Work
The Power of Partnership
At The 1906 Project, we maximize our impact through the power of collaboration. We bridge the gap between community needs and the resources required to solve them.
Our strategic partnerships focus on three core pillars:
Bridging Resource Gaps:
Providing the financial, administrative, or structural support needed to keep vital neighborhood initiatives running.
Professional & Directional Expertise:
Elevating local services by offering professional guidance, technical expertise, and strategic direction.
Targeted Community Programming:
Designing and delivering accessible initiatives that directly support youth development, empower families, and uplift seniors.
Who We Partner With
Grassroots & Start-ups: Individuals and nascent non-profit organizations that require additional resources, administrative backing, or institutional support to meet a pressing community need.
Established Institutions: Long-standing local organizations searching for the technical expertise, physical infrastructure, or additional capacity required to scale their existing community programs.
Pillars of Service
Our Legacy of Impact & Pillars of Service
What began as a vision by our board members to channel their collective talents, connections, and resources into Southeast Queens has grown into decades of sustained community advocacy. Originally incorporated as the Zeta Zeta Lambda Company, Inc., the organization officially evolved into The 1906 Project, Inc. in 2012, marking a modern era of expanded regional outreach.
Our work is anchored in several key areas of community transformation:
A Central Hub for Southeast Queens
In 1996, the organization made its first major real estate acquisition, purchasing a 10,000-square-foot former Salvation Army building located at the northeast corner of Linden Boulevard and 220th Street in Cambria Heights. Our foundational goal was to move a local Senior Center out of a church basement and into a modern, first-class, handicap-accessible facility.
Today, that vision thrives. Since 2007, the Alpha Phi Alpha Senior Citizens Center has served as our anchor tenant, utilizing a 6,000-square-foot space to support local seniors. The remaining facility serves as a vibrant, central operational hub for multiple community-based organizations across the region.
Housing Security & Foreclosure Prevention
When the national housing crisis hit local families, The 1906 Project took direct action. Backed by a $300,000 grant from New York State, we administered a comprehensive Foreclosure Prevention Program for the residents of Community District 12. By hosting educational workshops and partnering with The Hopkins Law Group to provide free, vital legal consultations, we successfully helped save families from losing their homes.
Educational Empowerment & Global Relief
We are dedicated to fostering excellence in the next generation. In 2010, we established The 1906 Project, Inc. David F. Bluford Education Award in honor of the legendary educator. This scholarship recognizes exceptional high school seniors who excel in academics and extracurriculars as they pursue their college degrees.
Our compassion also extends beyond our borders; following the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, The Project mobilized to contribute directly to the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Haitian Relief Fund to support international recovery and rebuilding efforts.
Seasonal & Holiday Joy
We believe that strengthening a community means showing up for families during the most meaningful times of the year. Through our annual holiday initiatives, we have proudly distributed more than 1,500 toys to local children between the ages of 2 and 11, and provided over 1,000 Thanksgiving meal baskets to community residents, seniors, and families facing economic hardships.