Goddard President Rod Jones has made the amNY/PoliticsNY list of Nonprofit Power Players for the second straight year. The list honors “vital leaders in the fight for a better New York for all,” according to PoliticsNY.
In a brief profile on the awards website, Jones said that “people are the most important thing in our business,” adding that “I’ve come to value relationships at every level so much more over the years.”
Jones took the reins at Goddard in 2017, overseeing the final stages of our merger with Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center the same year and then pursuing and completing a merger with the Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center in Yorkville.
In recent years he has focused on expanding our offerings for young people—creating the Pathways for Youth initiative, which he describes as “a comprehensive person-centered approach to make sure that young people arrive at adulthood ready to participate in society.” He has also prioritized working toward a 3-Generation model agencywide to help whole families permanently rise from poverty.
Jones grew up in the Cypress Hills NYCHA development in East New York. Though he initially set his sights on a career in law, he felt himself drawn to youth work. After rising through the settlement house world in the Rochester area, he moved west to head up Grace Hill Settlement House in St. Louis. But when the top job at Goddard came open, he jumped at the opportunity to return to his native city and support his fellow New Yorkers.
He’s in good company on the Nonprofit Power Player list. Other awardees include leaders from the ASPCA, YMCA of Greater New York, Human Services Council of New York, Food Bank For NYC, Hispanic Federation and more.