Established in 1965, during the emergence of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements, at a time when the fight for social justice and community activism was gaining traction on both local and national fronts, Elmcor Youth and Adult Activities, Inc. was formed by a group of concerned, local community members and activists in the East Elmhurst/Corona area of Queens, New York. These seemingly disparate factions―including members of the Black Panther Party―ultimately formed a coalition of like-minded individuals intent on identifying and addressing the core needs of their community.