Hello Volunteers!
June has been a busy month for us keeping up with everything that’s going on lately. Things have not been the same at the Center and I can’t imagine it has been the same for you either. We are continually navigating through these challenges and wish that we could return to the normal hustle and bustle of summer at the Center.
Though this summer is different, we’re so glad to be able to open up our doors with opportunities to those of you who are able to return. I am also glad that those who are not able to return are taking care of themselves and their loved ones.
Finally, I'm sure you've heard that GCC Executive Director Becky Steinhoff is stepping down at the end of this year to pursue a new opportunity. Our team of directors are working closely with the board and Becky to find the right replacement to keep the Goodman Center moving forward. I will update you on that progress as I learn more.
We look forward to seeing you all at the center again soon! Please continue to stay safe and take care.
Thank you,
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Mai Lor Yang, Volunteer Manager/Office Manager
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Wear Your Support
Earlier this month, 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.
All proceeds will benefit our youth programs.
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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).
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VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Meredith Lowe
Hello! My name is Meredith Lowe. I'm originally from Bettendorf, Iowa, but I have lived in Madison since 2007. I originally moved to Madison to complete my Master's degree in Library and Information Studies at the UW. I ended up getting a job at UW-Madison after I graduated, so I'm still here! In my spare time I work on my little veggie garden and cook with the fresh produce. I also enjoy going canoeing, and you'll see me paddling around northern Wisconsin and Minnesota with my husband in our trusty aluminum canoe. Finally, I love to read – usually I like my non-fiction in audiobook form and written fiction. Right now I'm listening to "Thick" by Tressie McMillan Cottom and I just finished reading "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern.
What is your greatest extravagance?
I love to travel and explore new places near and far if I have the time and money. If I'm short on those, I love fancy German chocolates!
Which talent would you most like to have?
I would love to learn more about sewing. My late grandmother and my mother are incredible sewing machine artists. I have my grandma's old Singer sewing machine and I want to practice using it more.
What is your favorite occupation?
Librarians! I work with incredible librarians and library workers all over the country. They serve our communities with a lot of passion, ingenuity, and thoughtfulness.
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Sipping fresh coffee on a chilly morning at my campsite, while watching swans, ducks, beavers, and other wildlife out on the water.
Meredith has been helping with our meal delivery program throughout the Safer at Home order and continues to be dedicated to the task. Thank you, Meredith!
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MEET OUR STAFF
Francesca Frisque
Hello! My name is Francesca Frisque, and I’m really excited to be serving in the Food Pantry Coordinator role here at the Goodman Center. I might be a familiar name or face to some because of my prior volunteer work with GCC. From 2009 to 2017 I volunteered with the food pantry. Over my career I have worked with various nonprofits and government agencies that in some way helped to make our communities better and stronger. This role with Goodman Community Center is a perfect fit for my love of food and my passion for building stronger communities.
A bit about myself. I have three young kids that keep me busy exploring and finding adventure in the little things in life. I've called Madison home for the last 12 years. I look forward to deepening my knowledge of all that GCC has to offer and expanding my networks as I get to meet many of the dedicated staff and volunteers here.
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MILESTONES
Happy anniversary to these individuals
who continue to commit to putting their best food forward to strengthen lives and secure futures! We're glad you're here!
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Lois Bergerson
,
1 year
Sandra Derickson
,
1 year
Megan Landauer
,
1 year
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Christine Odt
,
1 year
Kevin Welch
,
1 year
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This month, I would like to recognize our volunteers who have
contributed over 500 volunteer hours
to the Center.
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Loralee Brumund
:
946
hrs
Jim Freeman
:
934
hrs
Jeannine Wahlquist
:
917
hrs
Margaret Ramer
:
887
hrs
Sandra Westley
:
850
hrs
Kim Renfert
:
827
hrs
Paul Ketterer
:
822
hrs
Bill Bright
:
773
hrs
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Debra Baker
:
753
hrs
Carey Karabis
:
704
hrs
Meghan Stern
:
677
hrs
Art Schlosser
:
630
hrs
Jarje Bah
:
619
hrs
Bill Hutchison
:
574
hrs
Michaela Petersen
:
545
hrs
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Josephine Peterson, 7/11
Ardis Hempel, 7/13
Hallie Klecker, 7/13
Carolyn Graboski- Bauer, 7/14
Kelsea Kierstead, 7/14
Lucas Warren, 7/16
Angelica Requena, 7/19
Jacqueline Kaplan, 7/19
Michelle McKiernan, 7/19
Sue Behnke, 7/19
Carol McCann, 7/20
Daniel Cantu, 7/20
Todd Morschhauser, 7/21
Tyler Linderman, 7/23
Carol Iwanowski, 7/27
Bryan Stanley, 7/29
Meghan Stern, 7/29
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Lois Bergerson would like to give a shout out to
Mary O’Leary, Nancy Jarvis, and Carolyn Betz for helping sew masks for GCC!
Shout out to
Lois Bergerson for helping gather the awesome team of volunteers who helped with the generous mask donation!
Jim Muehlenberg sending kudos to dedicated food pantry volunteers
Bobbie and Bob Ruder, who have been there every Tuesday for setup and distribution since they returned from a spring break trip, nearly three months in a row now! And, they have also generously helped out with several large monthly deliveries on several Fridays as well. Always cheerful, always helpful, yay for Bobbie and Bob!
Jim Mehlenberg also wants to send a shout out to
Ed Van Gemert who has returned as a dedicated food pantry volunteer to help with various large monthly deliveries as well as a number of weekly deliveries and setup shifts over the past two months. It's great to have Ed back with us on a regular basis, thanks so much for your help!
Jim Freeman
deserves a big shout out! He has been gleaning produce from the FEED Kitchen each week for the last couple months, but in the past few weeks has added 200 meal deliveries from Morris Ramen and picking up surplus assorted beverages from Salvation Army.
Rachel Sandretto
has been delivering meals to families in the Darbo neighborhood since the beginning of the emergency services delivery right after schools closed. She is always there with a smiling face (now under a mask) and unending patience, especially early on as we developed a system in the moment to deliver hundreds of meals a day. She has gotten to know many of the people on her route and is quick to let us know if she sees a need.
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As always, a shout-out to
every one of you
for your constant positive support! The Goodman Center couldn't do what it does without you.
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RECRUITMENT
If you’re interested in helping out in other areas at the Center because your programming isn’t currently running, please take a look at these volunteer opportunities:
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50+ Coffee Hour
Help set up, direct traffic, take orders, serve coffee, clean up and just give our older adults the friendliness and connection they need.
- Where: St. Bernard’s parking lot, located next to our Brassworks building.
- When: Fridays, 9-11am
- Number of volunteers needed: 3
Volunteer Wisconsin AmeriCorps Members
We’re looking for two AmeriCorps members for the upcoming term, Sept. 14, 2020 through Aug. 31, 2021. Members will help support the Center through volunteer coordination, working closely with food pantry, older adult programming and other projects. They would also coordinate volunteers to support children and youth programming.
If you're able to help, it would be much appreciated. Please reach out to Mai Lor at
mailor@goodmancenter.org
or 608-204-8056 so she can get things scheduled and send you more information.
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GOODMAN COMMUNITY CENTER
Ironworks:
149 Waubesa Street
Brassworks:
214 Waubesa Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53704
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