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Goodman Community Center

We strengthen lives and secure futures – with your help!

The Goodman Center has been here for our community for 70 years, and with you in our corner, we'll be around for another 70 (and then some!). We serve people ages 3 to 103 with our children and youth programs, older adult activities and meals, food pantry, fitness center, event spaces and more. Take a look around and see what we're all about, and then get in touch. We'd love to hear from you.

4-Week Retirement Workshop

Retirement: it's a thrilling time filled with chances for reinvention and personal growth. But it can also be an overwhelming time of change. Without a thoughtful plan of action, the onset of retirement can feel like you're lost in the woods. Join us for this workshop, Tuesdays April 9-30.

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Charitable Giving Guide

There are a multitude of ways to give to nonprofits like the Goodman Community Center – so many it can be hard to keep them all straight! We've created a handy Charitable Giving Guide that you can print and keep in your records for a quick reference when you're considering the best way to give.

Download the Guide

Eastside News Cover Story

East High Girls Inc. students lead period product campaign

This is one example of how programs like Girls Inc. give youth the tools they need to make a difference in their community

By Letesha Nelson, GCC chief executive officer and executive director

I can’t stop thinking about something Goodman’s communications team told me recently. They said, “We interviewed some elementary kiddos earlier this week and were surprised and a little heartbroken by the pessimism the kids had when they were talking about the future. There was positivity too, but the pessimism was just striking.”

And I know it’s not just little ones with heavy hearts. Young people in middle and high school are feeling it too.

No surprise, really. They’re soaking up the problems that permeate the news. But what gives me hope is that Goodman, and organizations like us, are there for our kids and making a difference.

Jade Koenigs, GCC Girls Inc. manager, works closely with lots of young people and was reassuring.

“Our young people aren’t pessimistic about the world. They see the problems that exist but they don’t get stuck on ‘this sucks.’ Instead, they say, ‘Okay. These problems exist. Let’s fix them,’” Koenigs said.

Girls Inc. of Greater Madison is one of those programs giving young people the tools and confidence to tackle hard things. Koenigs told me about five Girls Inc. students at East High School who are doing just that.

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UPCOMING ACTIVITIES

Wellness Warriors: We get by with a little help from our friends.

Mar 28, 2024
4:00 pm–5:00 pm

We get by with a little help from our friends!

Older Adults

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Friday Dance Group: Electric Slide

Mar 29, 2024
1:00 pm–1:30 pm

Get your electric slide on!

Older Adult Fitness

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Older Adult Knitting Group

Apr 1, 2024
12:30 pm–1:30 pm

Open to knitters of all levels! This is not a formal knitting class.

Older Adults

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Nikki N Photography

Host Your Event with Us!

Large or small, casual or dressed up – our hospitality team is ready to help you make your event one to remember.

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Better Together

Our community is at its best when we stick together.

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The Latest Goodman News

St. Bernard Parish facing Atwood Avenue.

St. Bernard Chruch elevates to cathedral

March 26, 2024

St. Bernard Church is now the cathedral for the Diocese of Madison and has been part of Madison’s east side since it was first organized in 1907

Eastside News Stories, Neighborhood News

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Girls Inc. participants from East High School pose as a group wearing Girls Inc. shirts.

From the Desk of Letesha Nelson

March 21, 2024

Our Girls Inc. youth are doing some inspiring work – and making history along the way.

Letesha Letters, Letesha Nelson

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Members of Goodman Community Center's middle school Dungeons and Dragons club prepare to start a new adventure.

There’s a lot of choices in GCC middle school mini courses

March 18, 2024

Goodman Community Center’s middle school program provides a variety of options for middle school youth

Lussier LOFT Middle School, Activities for Kids, Eastside News Stories, Lussier LOFT

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For more information about the Goodman Community Center, or if you just want to get in touch, contact:

Letesha Nelson

President & Executive Director
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