Dear friends and neighbors,

This has been a good week at the Goodman Center. Our kids are back. There is a buzz of energy back in the Center that feels so familiar – so warm.

Obviously, this isn’t a typical summer. We’re doing things differently to keep children, youth and staff safe. Classes are smaller. Field trips are staying closer to home. We’ve introduced rigorous cleaning and screening procedures.

Safety is so important. And – let’s be honest – so is fun.

So what else are our staff and kids up to? They’re exploring our neighborhood via bike, foot and canoe. They’re visiting state parks. They’re gardening. They’re spending as much time as they can outside.

Our kids are getting to be kids.

These last few months have been heavy. It’s time for our children and youth to have some good, plain fun, and for our families to get a little more help. GCC is ready. 

Here’s to another memorable and FUN summer! 

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

Becky
Becky Steinhoff, Executive Director
OUR STUDENTS
Meet Devon, a Recent Graduate
High school graduation is a rite of passage. It’s a BIG deal. And it’s a particularly big deal for a kid who’s been told he probably won’t graduate. That’s exactly what Devon, one of our Transition Academy students, was told. But GCC and his mom didn’t give up on him, and – more importantly – Devon didn’t give up on himself. Watch Devon’s story .

Thank you to StoryBridge.tv for telling this inspiring story so beautifully.

Want to help students like Devon realize their potential?
OUR PROGRAMS

Children & Youth are Back!
The Center is buzzing with youthful energy once again! It’s so exciting to have our kiddos back with us, to see their smiling faces and know we’re going to give them a summer to remember. And all that summer fun is coming with plenty of safety measures. Here’s how we’re keeping our kids safe:
 
  • Drop-offs and pick-ups happening outside. Only kids and staff are allowed in the buildings.
  • Screenings for all children and youth upon entry to the buildings.
  • Rigorous cleaning check-lists that are executed throughout the day and at the end of every day.
  • Teachers are wearing masks and face shields.
  • We are limiting outside spaces to program use only during program hours (7am-5pm).
50+ Drive-Thru Coffee Hour
Last Friday we had our first 50+ drive-thru coffee hour, and what a success! Staff and volunteers greeted older adults who walked, biked and drove through St. Bernard’s parking lot to grab a cup of coffee and offer a physically distanced “hello.” The coffee hours will continue every Friday, all summer, from 10-11am in the St. Bernard’s parking lot. (No coffee hour next week, July 3.)
AT THE CENTER

Keeping our Kids Safe
We are SO happy to have children and teens back to the Center, but we need your help ensuring the GCC grounds are as safe as possible for our kids.
 
Please note that the following areas will be closed to the public during program hours (8am - 5pm):
  • Playground
  • Splash pad
  • Basketball courts
  • Green space
  • Skate park
 
Keeping our community safe is our TOP priority. Thank you so much for understanding!
 
P.S. Right now, we do not plan to open the splash pad to the public after hours, but we will make an announcement here if that changes.
LAST CHANCE
Wear Your Support
Last call on GCC It’s Ok to Not Be Ok tees, available with any gift of $25 or more. If you’d like to request one of these tees,
 
  • 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.
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: 

  • 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).
“ In these trying times, we really appreciate all the help our community is getting from Goodman. Y'all have always been there! ”   - Anonymous 

Here at the Center, welcoming our kids back really felt like the official start of summer. Having them here, having teachers and staff available to support them – that is because of YOUR generosity. Thank you for your support, 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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