Goodman Community Center

Build your 4K classroom with Goodman Community Center 🚸

Our child care program is looking for a creative leader to teach one of our four-year-old kindergarten classrooms. Your curriculum will focus on social-emotional learning through courage, curiosity, and connection to prepare kids for school and the broader world. Teacher schedules also include training days with fellow child care teachers, as well as teen programming, and other center staff.

9 and 12-month contracts available with salaries starting at $43k. Get access to GCC’s many competitive benefits including dental, vision and health insurance, retirement matching, free child care and more.

Read more about the position and apply today at goodmancenter.org/careers

Photo: ilana natasha photography

Surprise! Staff took home the win for the first time in years at the Student v. staff basketball game this July 🏀

Who's to say why ... a special combo of staff basketball skills ... the high school varsity players attending a basketball tournament that day ... whatever the reason, the adults were over the moon to finally take the w, and the gaps in the high school roster gave more middle schoolers a chance to play.

After the basketball game, the group moved to a round of volleyball, which staff also won with the help of TEENworks manager Trevor's volleyball playing and coaching experience.

But no matter who won, everyone had a great afternoon cheering each other on.

Wednesday 8/5: The splash pad is temporarily closed while we address chemical balances for the safety of the community.

For future updates, visit our website or stay tuned to this page. Thank you!

Gayle Alexander has been painting for over 50 years, mixing it with another companion that nourishes her through life: spirituality.

Challenged and encouraged by her Zen Buddhism, Advaita Vedanta and Christian mysticism practices, Alexander explores what it is to be human with canvas, paper and fabric. Her studio and meditation cushion are her "laboratory for investigating life."

"Playing in the Void" is on display in our Ironworks building through the end of August. Visit the artist this Sunday (8/7) at the gallery reception from 3-5 pm. To learn more about the artist and her work, visit gaylealexanderart.com.

Another summer, another fun playground visit from Wisconsin Badgers football 🏈

Thank you to all the athletes and staff for playing games with preschool and elementary summer camp -- and to MSCR-Madison School & Community Recreation for bringing yard games at the same time (coincidence? Perfect plan? You choose which 😉)

Teal House tried their hand at making sushi rolls this summer 🍥 The teachers brought all the ingredients for California rolls, from seaweed to imitation crab, and let the kids build and roll their meals on bamboo sushi mats. For many of the 2nd and 3rd graders, this was the first sushi roll experience ever!

Come join Goodman Community Center's development team 👀⚙️

Our center is currently looking for a:

💻 Development Communication & Marketing Specialist

Design and execute email marketing campaigns, collaborate on social media for GCC development and provide valuable event support for fundraisers like the Thanksgiving Basket Drive and Be the Good. Full-time, entry-level position starting at $23/hr.

🫱🏽‍🫲🏼 Community Partnerships Manager

Connect GCC with variety of local organizations and businesses. Nurture existing relationships, build new ones and help create opportunities for programs to utilize community resources. Full-time, salary starting at $53,000.

Both positions qualify for our center's health insurance and benefits package.

Come work with us! Learn more and apply at goodmancenter.org/careers

Buying a great Backpack and donating it to the Backpack Drive is investing in a kids success 🎒✏️ Choose one that fits youth’s needs (and take a few spills, drops and tosses to the floor), so they don't have to buy another one next year.

Here's what to look for in a Backpack for ...

Teens & Tweens:
📏 Size: 32L+/17-20"
‼️Need(s): supportive straps, quality materials
⚫ Color(s): black, dark gray, neutrals
🎒 Brand(s): Under Armor, High Sierra, Nike

Younger Kids
📏 Size: 15L+/10-15"
‼️ Need(s): Quality zippers, supportive straps
🎨 Color(s): bold and bright, pop. characters, patterns
🎒 Brand(s): Herschel, Walmart, L.L Bean

Don't want to think about picking? 🤔 Find a black 15L backpack big enough for a laptop from brands like Under Armor, Nike or High Sierra.

For a full list of items and more on our center’s Backpack Drive, go to goodmancenter.org/backpack

Photos: Rick Dahms

The splash pad is open today til 8pm, but it will be closed for maintenance tomorrow (Tuesday, 7/28). Thank you and stay cool today!

Yesterday, Corey Ruiz was killed by police on Williamson Street, just more than a mile from our doors. We are deeply disturbed and saddened, and we know many of you are too.

While details about this situation are still emerging, it is unambiguous that law enforcement in this country have a centuries-long history of murder and violence against Black and brown people. Every new incident reopens these wounds.

For many in our community, that pattern is deeply personal.

Goodman exists to serve and stand with the people of this community, including the many Black and brown families who trust us every day. In moments like this, that commitment doesn’t waver; it deepens.

We grieve alongside our neighbors. We hold space for anger, fear and grief because those responses are valid.

As an organization, our values haven’t changed: We stand for the dignity of everyone we serve, regardless of race, nationality, immigration status, color, religion, s*x, s*xual orientation, gender identity, ability or age. We reject white supremacy in all the ways it manifests in our society, including — and particularly — the unnecessary use of violence by law enforcement.

And we call on our city’s leaders to ensure a full, transparent and independent investigation with real accountability.

Goodman continues to support anyone in our community who needs a safe place, a caring ear or connection to resources during this difficult time.