What is Zone 126?

We are an organization focused on creating positive impact in the communities within area codes 11101, 11102, and 11106 in Astoria and Long Island City. While this area of Queens is enjoying an economic boom, our children are continuing to grow up in generational poverty. We’re utilizing Collective Impact to ensure our children are supported from cradle to career.

The Challenge

More than 20,000 families are living in concentrated pockets of poverty in Astoria and Long Island City. Over 8,000 are children. A child living in poverty faces multiple environmental, social, and physical barriers to academic success.

The Solution

Build strong educational pipelines that close achievement gaps for Black, Latinx, and low-income students. Promote a culture of shared responsibility to change the learning ecosystem and direct resources toward student success.

Our History

Zone 126 was created in 2011 by The Thomas and Jeanne Elmezzi Foundation after a two-year extensive study done in public housing. A needs assessment analysis (referred to as Project 126) concentrated on three zip codes, 11101 (NYCHA Queensbridge Houses), 11102 (NYCHA Astoria Houses), 11106 (NYCHA Ravenswood Houses). This area of focus is a concentration of poverty inclusive of 20,000 low-income citizens within these three public housing developments that have the greatest social and economic need in Western Queens, New York. The prime focus of residents in public housing was clear: high quality education for their children. With this in mind, the Elmezzi Foundation created Zone 126. Using Collective Impact as a framework, Zone 126’s role has been to attract resources to build local community-based organizations’ capacity and connect schools and families to the resources that will improve conditions for success.

Our Team

Dr. Anju J. Rupchandani

Executive Director

Fun Fact:

You can always catch Anju armed with three things a bagel, a book, and a cup of tea.

Dr. Anju J. Rupchandani

Executive Director

Anju J. Rupchandani is a native of Astoria, Queens and a graduate from William C. Bryant High School, one of Zone126’s targeted schools. She first began her career in youth development close to 20 years ago with the Sports & Arts in Schools Foundation at her local elementary school in District # 30. While attending college she continued to work in the field of youth development in a variety of leadership roles. Anju’s experience varies a great deal from program design and administration, to facilitating school-age child care trainings, as well as having knowledge in fundraising and oversight of multiple endangered out-of-school time programs. Anju has held positions as Program Director at SASF, Sunnyside Community Services, and the Educational Alliance/Boys & Girls Club of America. Anju holds a dual bachelor’s degree in Adolescent Education and History from Pace University’s School of Education, an Executive Management Certificate from Fordham University, Executive Certification from Columbia Business School and a Master’s degree from Bank Street College of Education in Leadership in Community Based Learning.

Lisseth Castillo

Special Projects & Operations Manager

Fun Fact:

- Lisseth loves doing skin care. - Lisseth loves re-watching movies. - Lisseth wanted to be a ballerina as a kid.

Lisseth Castillo

Special Projects & Operations Manager

Lisseth was born and raised in Mexico but moved to NY at the age of 12. She is a student at Borough of Manhattan Community College studying graphic design. She graduated from Long Island City High School and was a Zone 126 intern her senior year.

Valentina Di Loreto

Community School Director

IS 126Q

Fun Fact:

Valentina is a cross country All American athlete.

Valentina Di Loreto

Community School Director

IS 126Q

Valentina is a proud Latinx excited about working in the diverse community of Astoria. Before joining the IS 126 community, she graduated from Columbia University with an M.S. in Negotiation and Conflict resolution; her studies led her to practice in the field of diversity, inclusion and restorative justice. She has extensive experience working with children and families in multicultural communities impacted by socio-economic disparities. Her travels have enriched her perspective on the responsibility each citizen holds in engaging locally to impact issues globally. Valentina promotes parental engagement, social and emotional development, and community building.

Michelle Makabali

Community School Director

Long Island City High School

Fun Fact:

Besides her love of music and education, Michelle enjoys cooking, trying new recipes, is a fan of football, and traveling.

Michelle Makabali

Community School Director

Long Island City High School

Michelle Makabali brings 12 years of experience in the education field to Zone 126. She received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Molloy College in Long Island, NY. Michelle most taught music education at a high needs urban school in Denver, CO for K-12 students. In addition, she outreached to local businesses, creating fundraisers that helped build stronger relationships between the school and the community. Her passion for education through music has led her to many opportunities to help students and families achieve personal goals and success. Michelle is excited to utilize her skills and experiences as Community School Coordinator at Long Island City High School.

Carrie Watt, LCAT, RDT

Creative Arts Therapy Program Manager

Long Island City High School

Fun Fact:

Carrie Watt, LCAT, RDT

Creative Arts Therapy Program Manager

Long Island City High School

Carrie is a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Registered Drama Therapist. Originally from Chicago, Carrie came to NYC to pursue her love of acting. Carrie received her Bachelors in Fine Arts from Rutgers University: Mason Gross School of the Arts and Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London. Upon graduation, Carrie worked off-Broadway and in television but found herself longing for more and began to consider how her love of acting might lead her to an alternative path. Carrie returned to school and received her Masters of Arts in Drama Therapy from New York University. Carrie has worked with many diverse populations from acute psychiatric units, residential treatment facilities, shelters, and more but found a particular love for working with young people in schools. Carrie has the great privilege of sharing the creative arts with students, helping them strengthen their voice, and discover their most expansive sense of self. Carrie has published several articles on her work in public schools and as well as a chapter in the newest edition of “Current Approaches in Drama Therapy”. Carrie is thrilled to have the opportunity to build the creative arts therapy program with Zone 126.

Hayley Mitchell

Program Manager

Long Island City High School

Fun Fact:

Hayley Mitchell

Program Manager

Long Island City High School

Christopher Bisram

PT Drama Paws Stage Associate

Long Island City High School

Fun Fact:

Christopher Bisram

PT Drama Paws Stage Associate

Long Island City High School

Nico Rodriguez

Attendance & Family Support Coordinator

IS 126Q

Fun Fact:

Nico Rodriguez

Attendance & Family Support Coordinator

IS 126Q

Stephen Lo Giudice

Administrative Assistant

Fun Fact:

Stephen Lo Giudice

Administrative Assistant

Matthew Evans

Community School Director

PS 171Q

Fun Fact:

Matthew Evans

Community School Director

PS 171Q

Nyemma Wickham

Attendance & Family Support Coordinator

PS 171Q

Fun Fact:

Nyemma Wickham

Attendance & Family Support Coordinator

PS 171Q

Tyler Groskinsky

Data & Outcomes Coordinator

Fun Fact:

Tyler Groskinsky

Data & Outcomes Coordinator

Nafeesa Rahman

PT Administrative Assistant

Long Island City High School

Fun Fact:

Nafeesa Rahman

PT Administrative Assistant

Long Island City High School

Janet Astudillo

Assistant Community School Director

Long Island City High School

Fun Fact:

- Janet loves to walk her 6-year-old pitbull along LIC piers. - Janet is an intermediate French speaker. - Janet loves re-arrange her furniture every 2 months.

Janet Astudillo

Assistant Community School Director

Long Island City High School

Alicia Thompson

PT Teaching Artist

Fun Fact:

Alicia Thompson

PT Teaching Artist

Miguel Balbuena

Deputy Director of Schools and Community Programs

Fun Fact:

- I am a toy collector. - I like to travel anywhere there is a beach or lake. - I’m a big fan of Selena Quintanilla.

Miguel Balbuena

Deputy Director of Schools and Community Programs

Our Evaluation Reports

Take a look at our yearly compilation of Zone 126’s results, findings, and next steps.

See this year's report

Previous Reports

Report 1 Report 2 Report 3

Get in touch!

Questions or comments? Want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you. Fill out the contact form with your name and message, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

31-10 23rd Street
Ground Floor
Astoria, NY 11106