Dear friends and neighbors,

Many of you have been following and participating in the protests happening in our city and across the country. It is inspiring to see people taking to the streets to demand meaningful change in our country – and to see some of that change starting to unfold. To say there is still a long way to go is an understatement, but these groups – many led by young activists – give me reason to hope.

As our staff are preparing to welcome children and youth back to the Goodman Center, I find myself thinking about what it will be like to see those young faces in our classrooms again. They will breathe life back into the Center walls, and now is the right time to gather our youth together, to listen to them, to engage them in conversation.

At the Goodman Center, we aim to build community where our children and families can amplify their voices, declare their rights and stand with those actively fighting for meaningful change. We believe in empowering our youth to take the lead, and our staff will continue their work guiding these young people in discovering and expressing their unique voice.
Change is on the horizon, and I firmly believe our young people will be leading the charge.

Please be safe, be well and take care of each other,

Becky
Becky Steinhoff, Executive Director
WEAR YOUR SUPPORT

It's ok to not be ok.
Last week, we shared GCC’s statement regarding the murders of George Floyd and countless other Black Americans at the hands of the police. The message resonated with so many of you, especially the quote from GCC teacher, Howard Hayes: “It’s ok to not be ok. Because none of this is ok.” We believe that message is so powerful and so necessary that it needs to be shared far and wide. So, we’re making T-shirts. If you’d like to order one:

  • Make a gift of $25 or more by Tuesday, June 30.
  • Share the size you’d like in the “Notes” section of the donation page. Shirts are available in sizes XS-XXL. If you'd like to make a gift for multiple shirts, please list all sizes you would like to receive.

Shirts will be available mid-July for curbside pick-up only. We'll contact donors who requested shirts nearer that time with days and times available for contactless pickup. All proceeds from the shirts will benefit our youth programs.
OUR PROGRAMS

Celebrating the Youngest Among Us
Every year, GCC hosts graduation for our preschool and 4K students. It is always a joyous celebration with family pride on full display. In the world of COVID-19, the celebration had to look a little different, but it didn’t have to be any less joyous. GCC staff and teachers decorated the Center parking lot with balloons and streamers, and decked themselves out in fun, colorful outfits. Then, families and graduates paraded through in their cars – many also decorated. It was a joyful two hours filled with hope and pride. Congratulations, graduates!
So Proud of These Teens
Nineteen seniors who participate in GCC programs are graduating from high school this weekend! These students have worked hard throughout their school careers, and Center staff and teachers couldn’t be prouder of their accomplishments.
Transition Academy
Jalal
Santana
Devon
La'Quinn

Girls Inc.
Yuliana
TEENWorks
Johnny
Benjamin
Zach
Michelle
Pang
Fue
Autumn
 FYI
Jarra
Leo
D’Angelo
Mary
Moses
Zoe
John
The Kids Are Our Future
Here’s another breath of fresh air: the recap video from our Global Service Learning group’s Puerto Rico service trip. Our youth are the HOPE. These kids are our future. Let’s celebrate them and their accomplishments. Thank you Max, Zoe, Leo, Teresa, Jarra and Bemnet!
OLDER ADULTS

50+ Drive-Thru Coffee Hour
Wow, we’ve missed seeing our older adults at the Center! And from what we’ve heard, they’ve missed us too. Our Older Adult Program is kicking off a series of socially distanced coffee hours on Friday, June 19, from 10am to 11am in the St. Bernard’s parking lot. Seniors are invited to drive, bike or walk up to share a distanced cup of coffee. Please enter on Corry Street. For more information, contact Gayle at 608-204-8032 or gayle@goodmancenter.org.
FOOD PROGRAMS

Look What You Did
Thanks to support from you, our generous and caring community, GCC has been able to provide meals and groceries to so many of our neighbors since the Safer at Home order was issued. YOU made it possible for us to:
  • Deliver more than 10,000 meals and more than 1,000 bags of groceries.
  • Serve nearly 3,000 households at our drive-thru food pantry.

THANK YOU! This incredible impact is because of you, and it's because of you that we will continue to help our most vulnerable neighbors. Make a gift NOW to help us continue these efforts .
OUR STAFF

Talking with Look Forward Madison  
Not too long ago, Howard Hayes, GCC Male Program Coordinator, took some time chat with Rob Dz of Look Forward, a City of Madison initiative. Howard shared a bit about his Madison roots, how he ended up working with youth at the Goodman Center and how he stayed connected with his middle school boys group virtually through the Safer at Home order. Watch his interview   here .
GCC FEATURED JOBS

GCC is Hiring!  
The Goodman Center has a number of open positions. Take a look at our Employment page to learn more about: 
  • Graphic Design and Digital Content Manager 
  • Custodian 
  • Preschool and Elementary Substitute Teachers 
FOOD OPERATIONS

Drive-Thru Food Pantry
Tues. 9:30 a.m. – noon. Wed. 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thurs. 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

All are welcome – no need to call ahead. Food is distributed in the Ironworks building parking lot, 149 Waubesa Street, Madison.

Neighborhood Dinners
The Center is managing a neighborhood meal distribution three days a week. Wed. & Thurs. individual dinners Fri. two family-style meals + pantry bag

For delivery in Darbo/Worthington and Brentwood neighborhoods:
Contact Sara at 608-807-4984 or email sara@goodmancenter.org and tell her your address AND how many meals you’d like. We’ll knock or ring your doorbell between 3:30-4:30 p.m. as we leave the meal on your doorstep.

For delivery to Carbon & Generations @ Union Corners :
Contact Fran Augustine at 608-242-4400 or email faugustine@gormanusa.com and tell her h ow many meals you’d like. Meals will be delivered between  3:30-4:30 p.m.  to the community room, labeled for you.

Sign up once, then you’ll continue receiving meals weekly. Contact Sara or Fran to cancel. More info, including the menu here (scroll to bottom of the page).
“I admire and support your full-throated message speaking out against the racism and injustice that’s baked into our national culture. The work that Goodman does to address education, self-esteem, caring for each other, and hunger builds a long term foundation for things to change.”   - Jim, in response to GCC’s statement on the murder of Black Americans at the hands of police 

Things are far from familiar, but with the promise of children and youth returning to the Center in less than two weeks, there is certainly a lot to look forward to. Sending you love and health and hope. Take care of yourself, and as always… 

* Consider yourself hugged. *
We are constantly reassessing how we can help our community. goodmancenter.org/corona
GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER
Ironworks: 149 Waubesa Street Brassworks: 214 Waubesa Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53704
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