Welcome to the Isaacs Center
Building strength on both sides of the park—supporting New Yorkers across generations on Manhattan’s East Side.
Located in Yorkville on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, The Goddard Riverside Stanley M. Isaacs Neighborhood Center (Isaacs Center) is a central hub for community-based services. From youth programs and food access to older adult services and workforce support, the Isaacs Center connects neighbors to the resources they need to thrive.
As part of Goddard Riverside, the Isaacs Center extends beyond a single site—linking East Side residents to a broader network of programs across New York City, all grounded in a shared commitment to dignity, equity, and community.
Explore a snapshot of our programs located at the Isaacs Center below.
What You’ll Find Here
Whether you’re looking for a meal, a program for your child, or support navigating your next step, we’re here to help. Learn about our East Side program offerings:
- Programs for Children & Youth
After-school programs, academic support, and enrichment opportunities that help young people succeed.- Isaacs’ Beacon 1
- Isaacs’ Beacon 2
- Jack August Afterschool
- Food & Nutrition Services
Meal kits and pantry services that ensure our neighbors have consistent access to food.- Soup’s Up
- Emergency food pantry
- Older Adult Services
Social, educational, and wellness activities that support independence and community for aging New Yorkers. As well as daily and home-delivered meals for homebound seniors.- Meals on Wheels
- Older Adult Center
- Education & Workforce
Services that help individuals build stability, access resources, and move toward financial independence.- High School Equivalency Classes
- Case Management and Social Support
- Employment Training Programs
- Culinary Arts
- Community Healthcare
- Audio/Visual Production
- Information Technology (IT)
- Isaacs Scholars Program
We are currently transitioning Isaacs Center’s programing information onto the Goddard website. Visit their website at: www.isaacscenter.org
Use the ‘Program Menu’ to navigate to our individual program pages for a deeper dive into what they offer to our neighbors.
Please note that the Isaacs Center website pages are currently being transitioned into the Goddard Riverside website.
Since 1964, the Isaacs Center has been a cornerstone of the Upper East Side, with deep roots in the surrounding public housing communities. Today, we continue to serve as a trusted, accessible hub where neighbors of all ages can find support, build connections, and engage with their community.
Through our programs and partnerships, we reflect the diversity and strength of the East Side—bringing together generations of New Yorkers in one shared space.
The Isaacs Center opened in 1964 and was named in honor of Stanley M. Isaacs, whose historic career in municipal government started at age 55.
Considered one of the most effective members of City Government, Isaacs was known for his “missionary zeal” and high standards. A Liberal Republican with a reputation as a fighter for civil rights and decent housing for low-income families, his best known piece of legislation was the Sharkey-Brown-Isaacs Bill of 1957, which barred racial discrimination in private housing. Isaacs was elected Manhattan Borough President, an office he held from 1937-1942. One of his main achievements as in this role was convincing city planners to build East River Drive to prevent major traffic jams, rehabilitate rundown waterfront properties, and save millions of dollars in land purchases. Isaacs then served as the minority leader of the New York City Council from 1942 to 1962, until his death at the age of 79.
The Isaacs Center is embedded within the Isaacs Houses/Holmes Towers, a NYCHA development located in Yorkville, Manhattan, just three blocks from East Harlem.
Although Isaacs/Holmes is located on the wealthy Upper East Side (Community District 8), the demographics and socio-economic needs of its 2,200 residents more closely resemble that of East Harlem (Community District 11). According to data provided by NYCHA, the average gross income for residents of the Isaacs/Holmes development is below local and national poverty thresholds. A significant percentage of our participants reside in Isaacs/Holmes and supportive housing for the elderly within walking distance of Isaacs/Holmes. We also serve residents of the Taft public houses, just blocks from our primary location, in East Harlem.
In 2025, we officially brought together the Isaacs Center and Goddard Riverside after several years of partnership—grounded in a shared belief that we can do more together than apart.
By combining our strengths across the East and West Sides of Manhattan, we’re able to offer more connected and comprehensive support for New Yorkers—expanding access to education, food security, housing stability, and behavioral health services.
At the core of our work is a “No Wrong Door” approach. Wherever someone comes to us—whether at the Isaacs Center or another Goddard Riverside site—we make sure they’re connected to the full range of support available.
As part of Goddard Riverside, we are one of several community hubs across Manhattan, each offering access to programs that support education, health, housing, and community connection.
Across our program sites, we serve tens of thousands of New Yorkers each year—making sure support is always within reach.
Visit Us
415 East 93rd Street
New York, NY 10128
Contact Us
Front Reception
212-360-7620