Blog & News

Six people pose for a photo in front of a Goddard Riverside Good Neighbor Awards backdrop

Good Neighbor Awards Honor Volunteers who Make our Communities Stronger

Fighting homelessness, advocating for students with special needs, feeding the community, and empowering women around the world: these are just some of the contributions of the five longtime local volunteers honored with Goddard’s Good Neighbor Awards this year. In addition, State Assembly Member Danny O’Donnell, who is retiring from the legislature, received a Community Champion […]

2024 Nonprofit Trailblazers logo over a head shot of Roderick L Jones

Goddard President Roderick L. Jones Honored as “Trailblazer”

Here at Goddard Riverside, we’ve always seen our president, Roderick L. Jones, as a trailblazer. But it was gratifying to see him recognized by City and State Magazine, which recently named Jones as one of its Nonprofit Trailblazers for 2024.  Jones grew up in the Cypress Hill projects in East New York. He went to […]

Upper West side’s Got Talent Show. Join us for memorable performances filled with passion and moxie by the finalists of the Upper West Side Talent Contest! June 8th at 7pm. Tickets for $20.

Future Stars Come out to Shine at Upper West Side’s Got Talent

Get tickets for Upper West Side’s Got Talent here They may not be famous—yet—but the performers battling for the grand prize at our upcoming show definitely have star power. From a singer who’s appeared throughout the tri-state area, including at the legendary Apollo Theater, to a young dance troupe with multiple TODAY Show performances, these […]

A headshot of a woman alongside a photo of her receiving an award on a stage with a bright purple background

Arts Manager Honored for Going Above and Beyond 

Since becoming the manager of our Community Arts program in 2022, Manon Manavit has put her own stamp on it—adding new performers and events and using the arts to take a fresh look at the challenges faced by our community.   She booked a group called Theatre of the Oppressed to do an interactive performance […]

A white-haired woman with a warm smile

“It means a lot to me”: Two decades of volunteering at the Older Adult Center 

When you come to lunch at our Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center between Tuesday and Friday, Rosa Cruz will be there to check you in—a warm, welcoming face for old and new members alike. For Director Viktoriia Zakhary, it feels like she’s always been there.  “When I started in this role, Rosa showed me how everything […]

Testimony by Nathalie-Pierre Louis of our Resource Center to NY City Council

Thank you to Chair Ayala and the members of the committee for the opportunity to testify at this important hearing. My name is Nathalie Pierre-Louis, and I am the Assistant Program Director at the Resource Center, a program of Goddard Riverside. Goddard is a Settlement House working with New Yorkers from early childhood through older […]

Two women walk through a colorful art-crammed apartment in a screengrab from PIX 11

Our 93-Year-Old Featured Artist is Making Headlines

Nancy Brandon’s Opening is Sold Out but You Can Still See her Show Nancy Brandon’s Upper West Side apartment is stuffed with art—the products of more than 60 years of painting. The self-taught artist has fought stereotypes for decades by portraying the joy and solidarity of the Black community. She’s sold out the opening of […]

Wayne Tyre in the middle of two people smiling for the camera, holding a prize

Wayne Tyre, a Goddard Social Services Pioneer, Named to 50 Over 50 List 

Watch News 12’s story about Wayne Tyre and the power of 2-Gen! Even when the Goddard Riverside Resource Center is swirling with clients—say, a mom and baby looking for help getting SNAP benefits, an older adult sitting down with a financial counselor, an injured laborer filing for disability—Wayne E Tyre radiates calm. If you come […]

A smiling woman poses next to the Goddard logo in a white business shirt

Meet our New Board Chair, Marcia Bystryn

“It’s all the things I’ve always cared about, but right in my own backyard.”  Our new board chair at Goddard Riverside and the Isaacs Center has a wealth of experience with city and state issues. Marcia Bystryn says what drew her to get involved here is the chance to make a difference in her neighborhood.   […]