Macaluso of MJM + A elected QCP board president

New York, NY Michael Macaluso, founder and principal of M.J. Macaluso & Associates Architects (MJM + A) was elected board president of Queens Centers for Progress (QCP), an organization that provides ongoing education, therapy, job training/placement, recreation, and housing to help individuals with developmental disabilities to lead fuller lives.

He will serve a two-year term that began on September 21^st.

Macaluso first became involved with the agency over 20 years ago, when his former college professor, a QCP board member, asked him to buy tickets to their fundraising dinner dance. “I not only enjoyed the event, I was very impressed with the work that the agency was doing,” said Macaluso. “So I gladly attended their golf fundraiser a few months later. Then I volunteered to serve as co-chair of the Golf Outing Committee, and worked my way through a progression of other committee positions. In 2003, I was asked to join QCP’s Board. It seemed like the logical next step and I happily accepted the challenge.”

Prior to becoming board president, Macaluso chaired several QCP committees including Development, the Annual Gala, Evening of Fine Food fundraiser, and the New Horizons Young Professional Group.

“I’m grateful for all the work that Michael has done for us,” said QCP’s Executive Director Charles Houston. “He has worked tirelessly on our behalf for many years. I know he wouldn’t have accepted this position as board president unless he knew he could make a difference. I look forward to working with Michael as we continue to grow and expand our services to individuals with developmental disabilities.”

Macaluso hails from Middle Village in Queens, where he continues to live today, a few blocks from the house where he grew up. “All my life, I’ve felt compassion for those who were less fortunate than me,” said Macaluso. “Doing meaningful work, especially in the community, and giving something back just resonates with me personally, so I imagine I was destined to find an agency such as QCP.”

Macaluso’s plans to continue growing the agency’s profile and fundraising efforts, adding events such as participation in the 2015 NYC Marathon, job fairs, and the New Horizons group for young professionals who want to volunteer with more locally-based nonprofit organizations.

“I’ve seen QCP grow substantially over the years,” said Macaluso. “And plan to continue the trend. However, it is the Executive Director, Charles Houston, and his enormously dedicated staff that bring QCP’s mission to life each and every day. With them, I will give it my all as board president and hope to continue to help make an impact.”