GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCES $5 MILLION TO EXPAND YOUTH PROGRAMMING FOR 16,000 KIDS PER YEAR AND SUPPORT NEW AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN QUEENS

Governor Kathy Hochul announced $5 million in State funding to build a new Queens Boys & Girls Club Clubhouse in Astoria. The facility will be the largest in the State of New York and aims to serve 16,000 young people each year, more than seven times the current level. The investment builds on a previous $3 million in State funding from Empire State Development, and is part of Governor Hochul’s commitment to getting kids offline and providing them with resources to further their development.

“I’ll never stop fighting to help our kids succeed and build more of the housing our communities need,” Governor Hochul said. “This investment will ensure that the Boys & Girls Club can expand its services for tens of thousands of Queens families — and it’s part of my ongoing work to deliver a brighter future for families all across New York.”

Governor Hochul joined Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens CEO Costa Constantinides and Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani on a tour of the site. 

The Clubhouse will include an athletic area, swimming pool, planetarium and non-profit incubator spaces, among other resources, and is part of a 14-story, $300 million project that includes more than 200 affordable housing units, including units to serve young adults and at-risk homeless youth, retail space and a charter school. With Governor Hochul’s investment, construction is anticipated to commence in April 2026 for an opening date in 2028.

Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens CEO Costa Constantinides said, “Governor Hochul’s generous support of the new Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens will ensure 16,000 children per year have the necessary tools to become tomorrow’s leaders. We are incredibly thankful for the $5 million she has provided, especially because it allows us to move forward with breaking ground at the end of this year. Once it’s completed, this will be the largest Boys & Girls Club in all of the United States that all New Yorkers can be proud of.”

Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “Investing in the next generation means investing in communities where families can live, learn, and succeed together. This project — which includes affordable housing, retail space, a school, and the new Queens Boys & Girls Club Clubhouse — will give young people access to safe, inspiring spaces and meaningful opportunities for growth. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is strengthening communities by supporting spaces that bring people together, empower working families, and ensure every child has the chance to thrive.”

State Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris said, “With this $5 million investment from Governor Hochul, we are one step closer to building the new clubhouse center that Queens kids deserve. Variety Boys and Girls Club has served generations of Astorians, and thousands of families will benefit from the upgraded and expanded educational and recreational facilities, including the planetarium that I was proud to secure $1 million for.”

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez said, “I was proud to join Governor Hochul at the Boys and Girls Club today for this exciting funding announcement. Earlier this year I also announced a $1 million investment of funding for this project, which will support tens of thousands more young people and working families from and in Astoria who benefit from the programming. The Clubhouse model has promising evidence-based outcomes including increased high school program completion and enrollment in higher education. I’m grateful to Gov Hochul for this investment and to Costa, the staff, and volunteers that support the ‘Boys and Girls Club.’”

Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani said, “It’s a pleasure to join Governor Hochul today in Astoria to support the construction of the Variety Boys & Girls Club’s new clubhouse. Variety is one of the pillars of youth programming in Astoria, and their new clubhouse will allow them to serve even more members of the community as we continue to build a vibrant city for all.”

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, “Community centers like the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens are true lifelines and life-savers for so many neighbors, regardless of age. That’s why I’ve proudly allocated $10 million to Variety for its historic state-of-the-art clubhouse, because I believe deeply in the incredible work being done here every single day to uplift our families. Thank you to Governor Hochul for her commitment of significant state funding toward this project and to my friend and brother Costa Constantinides for his dedication to this community. I look forward to generations of Queens kids benefitting from this new clubhouse in ways we cannot yet begin to imagine.”

Former New York City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr. said, “The Variety Boys & Girls Club is a vital resource for our borough, serving the needs of thousands of young people and offering invaluable opportunities to our community along the way. I’m grateful to Governor Hochul for her support in continuing the work of my father and for bringing us closer to making this dream a reality.”

Established in 1955, the Variety Boys & Girls Club of Queens (VBGCQ) is a nonprofit organization that inspires children to discover their passions and cultivate their futures through a diverse array of youth development programs.