Shelly Channan

Shelly Channan began her journey with Commonpoint as a community member, with her children enrolled in the afterschool program. Her involvement deepened when she became an intern for the Older Adults program and CAPE. After earning her Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Gerontology from Long Island University, she returned to Commonpoint as a Social Worker for the NORC WOW program. Two years later, she came full circle—becoming the Program Director of the Central Queens Older Adults program, the very site of her first internship.

In addition to her role at Commonpoint, she has served as an Adjunct Professor at Long Island University, where she shares her expertise and passion for social work and gerontology. She specializes in working with older adults navigating loss, anxiety, chronic illnesses—including Parkinson’s Disease and cancer—and significant life transitions. Her work with the Parkinson’s community has been especially rewarding and inspiring.

Outside of her professional life, she is currently learning to swim for the first time through the Central Queens aquatics program. She enjoys reading, dancing, and spending quality time with her family and friends.