Goodman Community Center

09/02/2026

Our adult staff make the perfect test audience for TEENworks catering skills 🍽️

As a part of their summer session, TEENworks incoming 9th graders get to prepare and serve lunch for a group of center staff from all areas of the center. The lunch practice started last year and prepares them for future catering events. Hospitality and TEENworks summer staff support the teens while they run through front-of-house skills including setting tables, taking orders, and bringing out the dishes fully plated. The teens also get public speaking practice by answering questions about their program, the summer and themselves.

08/29/2026

Middle school enrichment coordinator Sharron had took a group of middle schoolers to visit the Black Men Coalition Of Dane County this summer.

The visit included a tour of BMC's facility on N. Pickney street and an introduction to their programs, like their over two dozen eCornell certifications, that help young people prepare for life after high school and support their own growth.

They also got to hear from the organization's leader, Corey Marionneaux, a friend of Sharron's and a deeply dedicated mentor embedded in this community. Corey's personal story is one full of challenges and mistakes, but those moments didn't define his future. And that was the lesson the middle schoolers walked away with: Determination, accountability, and the support of others can help you overcome obstacles to build a life you love.

08/26/2026

So many of our center program staff, adult and youth, are at the MOST (Madison-out-of-School-Time) conference and awards at MYArts-Madison Youth Arts Center today!

It's an especially big day for the high school and TEENworks teams. Vern (current high school manager) is one of 9 outstanding youth workers getting honored today ✨🥳 And TEENworks is catering the event with our hospitality team again this year.

Vern is wonderful at building positive relationships with teens and their families - and the littles who have joined the recent Small Ball basketball skills sessions. Vern takes his role seriously, but he's also incredibly goofy, kind-hearted and has a relaxing energy that can quickly take charge of a room full of teenagers (and that's no easy task)

We're so proud of our people today 🥲❤️ And here's to another wonderful conference!

Read about Vern and all of today's award recipients with Madison365:

Nine youth workers — adults who work with youth — will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to supporting young people at a ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Madison Youth Arts Center, fourth floor. The Madison-area Out-of-School Time initiative ensures that al...

08/26/2026

Summer isn't complete without a trip to Devil's Lake ⛱️🧺

Elementary, middle and high school dedicate one summer field trip every year to a day at Devil's Lake for swimming, time in the sun and enough sand for everyone to take some home in their shoes 😎

08/23/2026

Goodman Community Center is closed Monday, Aug. 24, for an all-staff training day. Closure includes all buildings, programs, services, the fitness center and the splash pad. Our regular hours will resume Tuesday!

Please call or visit 211 for open services from other orgs.

08/23/2026

Do you have Target Circle votes??? ✔️🎯 Cast them for Goodman Community Center through September 30! Your votes help direct Target funds to our center.

Here’s how:
Step 1: Choose “My Target” in the Target app, or visit https://www.target.com/circle/community-voting in your browser.
Step 2: Tap ‘Cast votes’
Step 3: Find & vote for Goodman Community Center

We appreciate your votes!

08/22/2026

Meet our Meals on Wheels Coordinator team, Evan (left) and Nathan!

Monday to Friday, Nathan and Evan work together with a team of rotating volunteers to prepare, pack and deliver meals for SSM Health's Meals on Wheels program.

But before they were a team here at Goodman Community Center, they worked together at Ian's Pizza on State Street 🍕

You can read more about Nathan and Evan and their Meals on Wheels roles on our blog: https://www.goodmancenter.org/blog/team-spotlight-meals-on-wheels

08/21/2026

Stricter rules for SNAP benefits means more people will start relying on local food pantries like the one at our center. Help us continue providing quality food and household items for all who may need them at goodmancenter.org/pantry

Enrollment in the biggest federally funded food aid program in the U.S. dropped by more than 13% in a 12-month span — a decline far steeper than the government estimated as work requirements and other provisions of President Donald Trump's “big beautiful bill” take hold.

08/20/2026

Focused Interruption is hosting their first gala next week! They're at the forefront of gun violence intervention in Madison, and we're proud to be a partner for a safer Madison for everyone ❤️

Ten years ago, Focused Interruption was a group of community members who decided to show up. No playbook. No guarantee it would work. Just a belief that the people closest to the problem were also closest to the solution.

This August 27, we celebrate a decade of that work. And we want you in the room.

The Focused Interruption Inaugural Gala takes place August 27 at Atwood Music Hall in Madison. An evening of impact stories, community recognition, live art, and a declaration that safety and healing belong to every corner of Dane County.

Tickets are $100. Get yours at focusedinterruption.org/gala.

Ten years in. Just getting started.

08/20/2026

Middle school's Be the Good summer mini-course spent some quality time with the pantry this summer.

Typically, the group heads to other places around Madison to hand out free bagged lunches. Since universal food access is what the pantry is all about, the group took time to learn how the pantry works for the community, help prep the pantry for customers, and put together birthday bags for kids that included sweet messages, special treats and a cake.

The hands-on visit helped instill the importance of food access and how their time spent handing out lunches plays into a larger effort to get food to those who need it.