ABOUT HANAC
HANAC was founded in Queens, NY in 1972 to serve the needs of the Greek Community.
With its roots deep inside Astoria, HANAC has expanded throughout the city and beyond.
Today, HANAC has grown to be a city-wide non-profit organization serving the needs of the most vulnerable throughout NYC
HANAC was founded in Queens, NY in 1972 to serve the needs of the Greek community. At that time, Greeks coming to the United States needed social services to get acclimated to life in America.
Through the 1960's immigration from Greece was soaring and many Greeks settled in Astoria. Our founder, was a reporter for the Long Island Press working at City Hall and became aware of the substantial needs of the Greek immigrants and overall, the Greek American Community. Our founder approached Mayor John Lindsay and explained the problem and sought his assistance with these needs.

He was awarded a planning grant of $75,000 to establish HANAC as the organization to administer these funds and determine the scope if the problem. The first office was established in 1972, staff was hired and interns were solicited from Columbia and NYU to conduct a study and determine the needs of the Greek Community in Astoria. The study showed that the elderly were in need of social services and new immigrants were in need of learning the English language. Soon thereafter, HANAC submitted NYC Proposals for a Senior Center and to become an ESL language provider.

Today, HANAC is a citywide social service organization, servicing 30,000 NYC residents annually receiving funding from City, State and Federal agencies. Additionally, HANAC currently has a portfolio of 650 senior affordable housing units throughout Queens, NY.
Our mission
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To develop, implement and administer the operation of service programs for the betterment of the community
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To provide these services to any and all who are in need without discrimination as to race, creed, national origin or other defining characteristic
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To work closely with other providers, the city, state and federal governments for the betterment of the community.
Board Leadership
HANAC is supported by a strong leadership team that is committed to the organization, its growth and responsiveness to the needs of its constituency.
  • George and Evangeline Douris
    Founders
Board of Directors
  • George Mihaltses
    Chairman
    VP for Government and Community Affairs, New York Public Library.
  • Tammy L. Berentson
    President
    Chief Marketing Officer, FreshDirect
  • Arthur Cheliotes
    Vice President
    Communications Workers of America, Local 1180, AFLCIO

    Business Manager and President Emeritus
  • Dennis Yuelys
    Treasurer
    CPA
  • Helene Caloir
    Secretary
  • Evangeline Douris
    Board Member
    Co-founder, HANAC Inc.
  • Constantina S. Papageorgiou
    Board Member
    Associate Attorney, Vishnick McGovern Milizio LLP
  • Dr. George Syros
    Board Member
    Mount Sinai Hospital, Queens
  • Nicholas Tjartjalis
    Board Member
    Owner, NTA Design Group LLC
  • Demetria Tsagaris
    Board Member
    HANAC, Inc
Executive Leadership Team
Working at HANAC
Want to join our Hanac Team? See our available openings.
Our partners
If you are interested in becoming a partner or sponsor, please feel free to write us.
Interested in partnering with us? Send us an email by clicking the button.