In the almost two years that I've been with Goodman, I've learned something incredibly valuable: Even when faced with immense challenges, a group of people can come together to achieve great things.

I saw it in action once again the weekend before Thanksgiving, when Goodman staff, hundreds of volunteers and members of the community came together to supply Thanksgiving groceries to more than 4,000 Dane County families.

My favorite quote is, "Be the good you wish to see in the world." The good you wish to see in the world is obvious with every act of kindness you do. Thank you for being a part of our community.

With gratitude,

In our next in-person Community Chat, Goodman Community Center CEO Letesha Nelson will be joined by women leaders from nonprofit organizations around Madison to discuss the most pressing challenges our community faces. Join us to learn the ways you and other residents and leaders can be part of the solution.

Guests include: Alexis London of the Bayview Foundation, Sandy Morales of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County, Vanessa McDowell of YWCA Madison and Veronica Castillo of East Madison Community Center.

Wednesday, Dec. 7

7:30-9am (program starts at 8am)

Goodman Center Brassworks Building

214 Waubesa St.

Goodman volunteers are invited to gather together to learn about ways to support people dealing with mental health issues, and how those issues may be exacerbated by stress and trauma.

Hope Edgren from the Emergency Services Unit of Journey Mental Health Center will lead us with techniques to use, especially when working with program participants we might not be familiar with. We will also explore how we can identify and examine our biases that might pop up in these interactions. There will be time to practice new concepts and to ask questions.

Wednesday, Dec. 7

3-4:30pm

Goodman Center Ironworks Building

149 Waubesa St.

Last week, our LOFT middle schoolers took over the Monona Bank River Rink for an afternoon of ice skating with skills ranging from wobbly beginnings to triple axels. (Okay, maybe not, but they were good skaters!)

Thanks to Monona Parks & Recreation for hosting and sharing the fun photos with us.

On the last day of school before Thanksgiving, our preschool Blue House had a Friendsgiving party with pajamas, popcorn and dancing.

Activities like these build a sense of community and belonging among our young learners. This helps create a feeling of safety that fosters positive growth.

And, of course, the kiddos had a blast celebrating and being silly with their friends!

Another Thanksgiving lunch is in the books for our Older Adult Program. Last Tuesday, seniors were treated to a delicious meal of mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, apple pie and turkey – including a tofurkey option for our vegetarian participants! It was all prepared by our talented program chefs. There was music and conversation and plenty to be thankful for.

Thank you to our program food team and older adult volunteers for helping make this event memorable! 

Our Fit Youth Initiative (FYI) winter sports camps are open for registration! These camps are a great way for your child to develop new skills, build on existing skills and learn to be part of a team.

Camps are $60 each, and scholarships are available. Learn more and register your child here.

The Goodman Center has some of the best benefits in town – no joke. In addition to an incredible health care plan (better than what some much bigger businesses in town offer, we've been told by our staff) and generous retirement matching, Goodman also offers more than 5 weeks of paid time off in your first year, free childcare for kids in preschool and attending Lowell or Emerson elementary schools, and more.

Did you know that giving from your IRA is a smart and tax-savvy way to give back to a nonprofit organization? Giving from your IRA can save you money and make a huge difference for the Goodman Community Center this year.

You may be required to take funds out of your IRA this year and those funds will be taxable. However, if you choose to give back to the Goodman Center, your donation will count toward your required minimum distribution (RMD) and be considered a tax-free gift!

Visit our website to learn more, or reach out to Dani Luckett, Goodman Chief Development Officer, at dani@goodmancenter.org or 608-204-8059.

Our food pantry is open three days a week to anyone who needs it.

Interested in helping our food pantry serve our community? Check out our list of most-needed items.

Questions? Contact Francesca at francesca@goodmancenter.org or 608-204-8049.

Please note: The Goodman Center and all its programs and services will be closed from 1pm on Dec. 23 until 1pm on Jan. 2, 2023. Please call 211 to find a food pantry open during this time.

P.S. We have a new and improved online donation system that's incredibly secure, but we are still working out a few functionality kinks. If you make a gift and notice something amiss, please let us know by emailing amie@goodmancenter.org. Thank you!

608.241.1574 | info@goodmancenter.org | goodmancenter.org

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