It’s been a busy year at Goddard Riverside. More than 17,000 people came through our doors, and we’re proud to partner with each and every one of them to help them make their dreams a reality. Here are some of the highlights of 2016.
In the spring we celebrated a revitalized Capitol Hall—one of our four supportive housing residences for formerly homeless people. A $16.7-million renovation provided each resident with his or her own bathroom and kitchenette, and also created more community space.
But as Executive Director Stephan Russo noted shortly before cutting the ribbon, the truly exciting news at Capitol Hall isn’t about the changes to the building: “It’s about the people who live here whose lives have been transformed and who really give us as much as we’re able to give them.”
July brought the debut of our newest summer camp. The Performing Arts program partnered with Lincoln Center to offer professional-quality dance, vocals, music and theater arts classes. Judging by the campers’ rapt faces, it was a smash hit!
In the fall we celebrated our 30th annual Book Fair—and honored the publishing community whose generosity makes it possible. Not only do publishers and booksellers organize the Book Fair and other fundraising activities every year, but they sit on our board and are actively involved in our strategic direction. We’re deeply grateful to them for their ongoing support.
Throughout the year, our Options Center has partnered with other organizations in a series of community meetings to discuss the challenges facing low-income and first-generation students who want to go to college. These meetings culminated in November in a citywide summit aimed at closing the graduation gap. We’re proud that Options is helping lead the way toward a comprehensive plan to help New Yorkers get degrees.
This year we completed a merger with Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center. We’re delighted to preserve and expand their crucial day care, after school, senior center and youth programs for local residents.
We look forward to another year of growth and change in 2017, working with our neighbors to create better lives and a stronger community for all!