February 2024 // A Community Newsletter | |
Dear friends and neighbors, | |
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the architect of Black History Month, once said, "Those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration which comes from the teaching of biography and history." | |
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This year's Black History Month theme is "African Americans and the Arts." All month, I've shared African American artists with our staff in an effort to inspire curiosity, information and insight, and they, in turn, have offered up some African Americans throughout history who have inspired them. It's been a wonderful journey of learning about different areas of art and the incredible influence Black Americans have had on our culture.
Throughout the month, our programs and classrooms have also been learning and celebrating in the name of Black History Month, and through their process, our staff have reiterated that education and visibility of Black culture, historical figures and events is a never-ending story.
Our center, Madison, our country would not exist without Black minds, bodies and ideas, and I'm proud of the way our staff celebrate Black change-makers throughout the year as they work with our children and youth.
I hope you've found time this month to learn about important Black leaders who have helped shape our community and our country.
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Letesha Nelson
CEO & Executive Director
| P.S. It may only be February, but spring is already poppin' here at Goodman Community Center. We have SO MANY amazing events coming up in March, including another Check-In with me! Learn more below, and I hope to see you at one or two in the next few months! | |
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EVENTS
Check In with Letesha: Girls Inc. Edition
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Check In with Letesha – office hours with Goodman CEO / Executive Director Letesha Nelson – is back!
In this second session, taking place on Thursday, March 7 at 11:30am, Letesha will talk about Girls Inc. of Greater Madison – where it's been and where it's going – and answer your questions.
She'll be joined by GIGM Manager Jade Koenigs. If you haven't met Jade yet, you'll want to attend. She has an energy you want in your life. Trust us.
This event will happen via Zoom and will be recorded. Dani Luckett (dani@goodmancenter.org) will email you a link to the meeting on Monday, March 4.
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Photo by SV Heart Photography | |
The Right to Read Documentary Screening | |
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Across the country, kids need more support in reading. Reading is an essential skill in this information age, and right here in our own community, nearly 60% of Madison students score below proficiency levels in their ability to read, write and comprehend text. The statistics are staggering, and there is hope.
Join us for a pizza dinner as we screen the documentary The Right to Read. After the film, we'll talk about what can be done right here in Madison to make sure our youth are getting the literacy help they need to succeed later in life. We'll also introduce Goodman's new START Literacy Initiative.
Thursday, March 21
Doors and dinner, 5:15pm
Screening and discussion, 5:30-7:30pm
Goodman Community Center
Ironworks building
149 Waubesa St.
The event is free and open to the public. Dinner provided by Ian's Pizza.
RSVP here so we can ensure we have enough food.
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Save the Date: Be the Good | |
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This year marks our 70th birthday, and we're hosting an evening of storytelling to celebrate all the people who make Goodman good. Save the date – it's time to celebrate!
Be the Good: Celebrating 70 Years of Goodman
Thursday, April 18
Doors at 6pm, program at 7pm
Goodman Community Center
Our Be the Good storytelling party is back for a second year, and this one promises to be extra special as we celebrate Goodman's 70th year of strengthening lives and securing futures. This year's theme is "Gifts," and we're honoring the gifts of our donors, volunteers, participants and everyone who has supported Goodman over the years.
Mark your calendar! We hope to see you there!
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Save the Date: Retirement Workshop | |
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Retirement: It's an exciting, scary and often confusing time. Financial, social and health changes are everywhere, but we're not always given the tools to come face-to-face with them. This four-week workshop hopes to help you build those tools.
Tuesdays, April 9-30
6-8pm
Goodman Community Center Ironworks building
Keep an eye on future What's Good at Goodman newsletters for more information.
Questions? Contact Gayle Laszewski, Asst. Director of Older Adult Programs at gayle@goodmancenter.org or 608-204-8032.
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PROGRAMS
Girls Inc. TGIF Day
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Last week, a group of nearly 100 girls and nonbinary youth attended a private screening of the new Mean Girls movie as part of Girls Inc. of Greater Madison's latest TGIF (The Girls Inc. Friends) Day, hosted in partnership with MSCR.
The youth had an amazing time as they:
⭐ Collaborated on a Spark Book: In the movie, the characters make a Burn Book. GIGM participants made a book about what they like about themselves. (How cool is that?)
⭐ Had thoughtful discussions about the movie and what they took away from the film.
⭐ Participated in activities based on the Girls Inc. Bill of Rights.
And so much more!
Last week, we also kicked off our annual Girls Inc. fundraiser. If you believe – as we do – in a program that helps young people grow and become Strong, Smart and Bold, make a gift to Girls Inc. today! And, even sweeter, a generous local couple is offering a matching gift, up to $10,000, which means your donation will go even farther.
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Celebrating Black History | |
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In the Ironworks building, there are a series of posters featuring prominent Black history makers, and our 4K Orange House has been stopping at a poster each day to learn about different Black historical figures.
They've been engaging in a month-long study of Black history and how Black inventors, scientists, athletes and politicians have helped shaped the world we live in.
Through the month, they've also learned how they can spread kindness and caring to everyone in our community.
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Goodman's Blue Room – part of our 4K program – introduced Mystery Readers this year. Each Friday, the kids welcome a parent in to read a favorite book to the class.
The kids don't know who's coming, and it's so exciting to see who their mystery guest is.
The first reader was Laylah's dad, Tony, who read one of their family's favorite books: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Eats Breakfast.
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What can a black dot be? Our elementary kiddos in Teal House pondered that very question and got creative in their answers.
Their teacher, Ms. Aliyah, gave each student a black dot and a piece of paper, and the kids filled in the rest.
From an eyeball to flowers, a sheep to a couple of pirates – and one Grimace Shake – the kids' creativity really shined.
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EASTSIDE NEWS CENTENNIAL
Support Hyper-Local Journalism
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Eastside News is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and in addition to the great stories we'll be sharing all year, we're also hoping the community that loves this little paper will support it with a financial gift. Make a gift of $100 or more to Eastside News throughout this year, and we'll send you a special Eastside News sticker (like the yellow graphic next to this story).
Hyper-local journalism feels more important than ever. If you're able, share your support of positive, local news.
Make a gift today.
P.S. Anyone reading this remember Atwood's Alive, the neighborhood's newsletter from the '70s? If you have a copy, we'd love to scan it as we celebrate local news this year. Please reach out to Dave Link at davidl@goodmancenter.org or 608-817-3133.
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OUR BUILDINGS
Bridal Shower Packages
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The hospitality team at Goodman wants to make your event as seamless as possible, and they're excited to introduce Bridal Shower Packages. Celebrate your loved one's upcoming nuptials in our flexible, welcoming space. Choose from one of our curated shower packages, which give you the base to build a unique and creative event that's as special as the guest of honor.
Learn more and get started planning your event.
Photo by Nikki N Photography
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Have you heard of the Goodman Menders? It's a group of volunteers who set up shop outside of Goodman's food pantry multiple times a month and offer their sewing skills free of charge. Need a button sewn on or some pants hemmed? These folks have you covered. (They don't replace zippers.)
Open to all, even if you're not visiting the pantry.
Schedule:
- 1st Wednesday of the month: 5:30-7:30pm
- 2nd Tuesday of the month: 9-11:30am
- 3rd Wednesday of the month: 5:30-7:30pm
- 4th Tuesday of the month: 9-11:30am
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FOOD PROGRAMS
Fritz Food Pantry
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Our food pantry is excited to roll out a pilot service created to make it possible to serve as many people as possible. Customers now have the option to receive a bag of prepacked dry goods, as well as a personal selection of meat, dairy and other non-perishable choices like bread and bakery items rather than shopping the pantry as usual.
Rapid pantry is available:
Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30am
Thursdays, 12:30-1:30pm
As food insecurity remains high in Madison, our pantry remains dedicated to getting good food in the hands of our community members who need it.
Photo by SV Heart Photography
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Thank you for all you do to support your community! We're all stronger when everyone has the resources they need to be successful ❤️ | |
GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER
214 Waubesa Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53704
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