June 2024 // A Community Newsletter | |
Dear friends and neighbors, | |
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I've been thinking a lot about pride these last few weeks. June is, of course, Pride Month for our LGBTQ+ friends and family. I’ve always thought June to be such a fitting month for a community to celebrate their refusal to be anything but their authentic selves. June is when we see the most hours of sunlight, when the neighborhood kids get that 'just out of school' energy to spend going around on their bikes with friends and when parents get to see their babies graduate and start to plan their futures. Every day, June presents us each with something to be proud of in our communities and ourselves.
But specifically, June reminds me how grateful I am for the pride our staff, volunteers and participants have for Goodman. Our youth programs are gearing up for summer, which means taking time to train new and existing staff and reflecting on what small changes could make a big difference to participants. It's a process that takes a lot of pride and commitment, and I'm privileged to watch each team grow together and as individuals. We've had volunteer groups do a summer sweep of our grounds, and everyone from longtime participants to our neighbors can take pride in that effort as they pass through.
What are you proud of this June? Whatever it is, I hope you find ways, as I have, to reflect and be grateful for its presence in your life.
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Letesha Nelson
President & Executive Director
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Letesha Photo: Beth Skogen
Header Image: Events and Catering Coordinator Juliette with her TEENworks catering group during Juliette's last shift.
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Our littlest learners celebrated a big year full of accomplishments at preschool graduation earlier this month. Each of our four classrooms hosted their own ceremony for family and friends, featuring songs (Orange House even had a light show), a demonstration of calming breaths and a walk across the stage for certificates, followed by cupcakes and a petting zoo.
We're so proud of our preschoolers!
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Registration open for FYI summer sessions!
July 8—August 16, GCC gym
Registration for Summer Sports Camps is open! Over the course of 6 weeks, your child will have the opportunity to sharpen skills, learn to work as a team and make new friends by participating in basketball or volleyball.
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Basketball: K-5th grades
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Volleyball: 4th-8th grades
Learn more and register for FYI's summer sports camps.
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LOFT High School: Congratulations Nyawer! | |
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Nyawer Biel, a senior at East High and Madison College, has been with the Goodman Community Center since seventh grade.
“Nyawer wasn’t loud when she first came to Goodman, but the confidence was always there,” said our Family Advocacy Manager and one of Nyawer's program influences, Arthur.
With support from GCC staff, her family and a $200,000 grant for Goodman's teen programs from TruStage, Nyawer graduated from East High and earned an Associate's Degree from Madison College this past spring. Nyawer will be attending UW-Madison and enrolling in upper-level classes already this fall.
Read Nyawer's full graduation story on Goodman's blog.
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WORK AT GCC
Come work with us!
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Make an impact on your community while feeling great about the work you do. The Goodman Center has some of the best benefits in town — no joke!
In addition to an in-house minimum wage of $20 per hour and an incredible health care plan (as good or better than packages from larger businesses, according to our staff), Goodman offers retirement matching, more than five weeks of paid time off in your first year, free child care for kids in preschool and attending Lowell or Emerson elementary schools, and more.
Check out our current open positions and apply today:
- Event Specialist
- Enrollment and Shares Specialist (LTE)
- Customer Experience Coordinator (LTE)
- Catering Assistant Chef
- Accounting/Payroll Coordinator
- Custodian
- 4K Lead Teacher
- Elementary Program Lead Teacher
Check out all positions and apply today!
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IN THE COMMUNITY
The German Art Students
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The local Madison band The German Art Students recently held a show at Harmony Bar and donated the cover charge to our food pantry, continuing a three-year tradition on drummer Randy Ballwahn's birthday.
"For the past three years we have donated the cover charge of my annual Harmony Bar birthday show to the Goodman food pantry. It’s always really fun and people always turn out," Randy said on why the band gives to Goodman.
"Kelli, my wife, and I lived on Wirth Court for 20 years. We saw the Goodman building grow from an empty ironworks to an indispensable community resource. ...Our son went to after-school programs there. ...We want to give back when we can, and I feel music is the best way for me to do that."
Thank you to the whole band for their donation and support and to Harmony Bar for being a community centered venue!
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Girls Inc. of Greater Madison: TGIF Camp | |
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Girls Inc. is back with their second annual Girls Inc. Friends (TGIF) Camp—this time at Madison School Forest!
Spend a full summer Friday hiking, rope climbing and playing games. Then enjoy a nighttime cookout with classic campfire activities.
TGIF Camp is FREE and open to all greater Madison girls and nonbinary youth going into 3rd through 8th grade. No experience with Girls Inc.? No problem! Youth will engage with a variety of Girls Inc. staff and have opportunities to make friends from around the city.
Learn more and register now!
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EASTSIDE NEWS CENTENNIAL
Celebrate ESN's 100th Birthday
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Published by a variety of individuals and organizations over the last century, Eastside News has a long history of fostering east side spirit.
Help us celebrate this HUGE milestone by making a gift
to Eastside News!
Your gift helps us continue the legacy of uber-local journalism. Gifts of $100+ to Eastside News in 2024 receive a 100th Anniversary sticker (pictured) while supplies last.
Make a gift to Eastside News!
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AT THE CENTER
Book Your Bridal Shower
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Wedding season is coming up, but before the wedding is the bridal shower! The hospitality team at Goodman wants to make your event as seamless as possible, and they're excited to offer
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 Morgan Photo Co.
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At the Ballweg Gallery
Inside and Outside Landscapes by Doug Fath
Doug Fath's paintings explore pain and difficult situations through Surrealist representation and allegory. Influenced by Frida Kahlo and Jammie Holmes, he finds inspiration in encyclopedias,
folk art, scientific drawings
and photographs.
Doug begins with sketches, then intuitively evolves the images on the painting surface, using unconventional colors and frequently featuring animals. His work ties personal experiences to universal themes of pain and loss, aiming to heal, cope and connect with viewers through shared emotions.
You can see more of Doug Fath's collection in Ironworks until the end of June.
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FOOD PROGRAMS
Fritz Food Pantry
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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 ❤️ | | | | |
