We are excited to share an impressive team milestone at The Child Center: Kwan Wong, Associate Vice President of Youth Development, celebrated his 30-year anniversary with us this month. Kwan currently oversees our School-Based Mental Health (SBMH) program, which provides vital mental health counseling to students right where they are every day.
To honor this incredible achievement, we sat down with Kwan for a brief interview to reflect on his decades with us and the impact he’s made.
The Child Center of NY: Can you share a bit about how you started your career here and what attracted you to The Child Center of NY?
Kwan Wong, LCSW-R:
I started with The Child Center of NY, formerly known as the Queens Child Guidance Center, on September 6, 1994, with the Asian Outreach Program in Elmhurst, Queens. Previously, I was completing my master of social work internship at the immunology clinic at Elmhurst Hospital [now NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst], where I provided mental health counseling to HIV-infected children while they underwent medical treatment. It was a rewarding experience supporting these children and their families. Around that time, The Child Center received the Ryan White grant to establish a mental health program aimed at supporting the emotional and mental health needs of Asian clients and families infected or affected by HIV. When the opportunity was presented to me, I was excited to join the agency and knew I wanted to continue this important work.
What are some of the most memorable moments, valuable lessons, or milestones from your time with us?
Over my years at The Child Center, I have worked in five different programs. I feel all the experiences and lessons learned at each of my positions helped to better prepare me for the next program. I have worked in the mental health clinics; Parsons Beacon, which was the first Beacon center of TCCNY; and for the past nine years with School-Based Mental Health. All of these roles helped to expand my skills and knowledge. The time spent with the clients, families, as well as colleagues at each program helped my growth as a clinician and later as a supervisor.
How has the organization changed over the years, and what are the most significant transformations you’ve witnessed? What do you think is in the future for TCCNY?
The agency has changed greatly over the years that I have been working here. I believe there are only a handful of staff who have been here over 30 years. Significant changes that occurred were all related to the growth and expansion of services we provide to families. One change was the rebranding of the agency. The agency was known as the Queens Child Guidance Center when I was hired, then later rebranded to The Child Center of NY. The name change was needed to more accurately reflect our breadth of services and our expansion beyond the borough of Queens. Another significant change was the relocation of the central administration office. When I started, I believe the administrative offices were located within the Flushing clinic. It then moved to the same building as the Jamaica clinic, the Firehouse. Afterwards, we relocated to the basement at the Big Six Plaza in Woodside, Queens, and finally to the current location at Forest Hills.
Through the years, The Child Center has provided important and impactful services that communities need. I know this agency will continue to serve our clients and families through our current programs and services, and grow with new initiatives in the future.
What has been the most rewarding aspect of working here for so long?
The most rewarding experience working here so long is knowing that you were able to help some of the clients and families that you provided treatment to. Changes the clients made to improve their mental health and family relationships, knowing they reported feeling better after their time with you versus when they started with you is the true reward.
Currently, I supervise some of the staff at School-Based Mental Health. Knowing the difference that this incredible team is making with the students they see every day, as well as supporting the school communities they serve, brings the same feeling and reward I felt when I first started with the agency.
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