QUEENS — Finding love is hard at any age, but for older folks it can become a real challenge.
Now, Forest Hills locals who are are looking for a relationship and are 55 and older will get a chance to meet other singles from their age group during a speed dating event, which will be held at the Central Queens Y on Aug. 27.
Lisa Elhyani, director of the adult and senior department at the center, said that she decided to organize the event, the first ever at the Central Queens Y, because “it seems to be a need in the community that people have been talking about.”
“I always hear people talking about what a challenge it is to find singles in the area and that there really isn’t a venue for it,” she said.
Speed dating, which has been a growing trend in New York, pairs singles for quick dates as they move from table to table in order to talk to the next person. Participants take notes and if they like someone, they let the organizers know. If the other person is also interested, they are connected.
“I think it’s just hard to initially state: 'hey, I’m single and I’m interested,'” Elhyani said, adding that speed dating involves “a specific routine to come in, sit for 5 minutes and move on.”
“It becomes easier to inform someone that you are interested but also if you are not interested you don’t have that challenge of having to turn somebody down,” she said. “You can just kind of leave.”
The center has held several events for singles before but never a speed dating one.
The 55+ singles speed dating event will take place on Thursday, August 27, at 6:00 p.m. Pre-registration is required by August 17. For more information call (718) 268 5011 ext.160 or email OlderAdults@cqy.org. Tickets are $10 per person. The center is located at 67-09 108th St.
