After a year-long renovation, a ribbon cutting ceremony officially marked the opening of Goddard Riverside’s The Bernie Wohl Center. Council Member Gale Brewer, along with Executive Director Stephan Russo, Michele Ivory, the Center’s director, and members of the Wohl Family cut the red ribbon while staff, board members, friends, and neighbors cheered from the sidewalk.
Once inside guests toured the facility which features an auditorium that will serve as a multi-purpose arts, theatre and recreation space for our youth programs as well as a much-needed neighborhood venue for performances and events.
In 2007, the youth center at Goddard Riverside Community Center was renamed The Bernie Wohl Center in honor of our former executive Director, the late Bernie Wohl. Through the efforts of a major fundraising campaign, we recently completed the renovation of the center. It is a hub of community programming for youth, families and adults, including an after school center, summer day camp, weekend arts instruction, and programs for homeless and formerly homeless adults.
During a special program to inaugurate the space, John Rhea, Chairman of the New York City Housing Authority spoke about the collaboration during the construction, and City Council Member Brewer reminisced about Bernie’s activism in the community.
Throughout the evening, guests enjoyed artwork and photographic displays, performances on piano and violin, and refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.