Goodman volunteer news for April🌼

April 2024

Celebrating YOU! 🥳✨

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month – Thanks for all you DO!

“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections every year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” (Unknown)

This quote hangs on the senior meal kitchen door and every time I read it, I say YES! In my third year at Goodman as volunteer manager, I’m continually inspired by the way Goodman volunteers build your work into your lives and share your time, talents and passion. Your sharing has a tremendous ripple effect felt throughout the community.

These sentiments were expressed in your voice through our annual volunteer impact survey. Sixty-nine Goodman volunteers completed our survey and we were blown away by your positive responses and helpful ideas.

Here’s a few reflective gems about what volunteers take away from their experience:

"Two things: greater compassion for others and the importance of listening to others!"
"I enjoy being active and feel the consistency has helped me build my experience. I also feel I always grow from the experience – growth through interactions with others and from my reflections."
"When I give my time I also receive the connections I make."
"It's a joy to have my assumptions and preconceived notions proven wrong! It reminds me that the world and its people are so complex!"

Thank you all again and again for being part of the Goodman Community Center’s effort to build the kind of community we want to live in!

See This Year's Survey Results

Susan Ramspacher, Volunteer Manager

sramspacher@goodmancenter.org or 608-204-8048

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Larry Orr

Elementary Afterschool Volunteer,

RSVP Foster Grandparent

I volunteer at Goodman Community Center as a foster grandparent, helping teach the academic subjects and, perhaps more importantly, promoting positive self-concept and good behavior by acting like a jovial grandpa. Lots of kids don't have that. I have been a foster grandparent for twelve years or so, but this is my first year as such at Goodman. I love helping kids get along with each other and feel that they are important. Miss Maddie, Mr. D.K., Sam and Caiden make it possible day after day, and that's demanding work, which I respect.

SHOUT OUTS

Bravo to Nisha Mangar! She’s been volunteering with the Older Adult lunches and dance fitness classes for three years. Any time they are short lunch volunteers, she will jump right in, on the spot. Nisha also helps with program setup for the dance fitness class every Thursday. Staff and volunteers really appreciate Nisha's willingness to help, her attention to detail and her sense of humor. Thank you, Nisha, for your dedication to the Older Adult program!

Shout out to Steve Landherr for his devotion to Meals on Wheels! Steve always has an interesting story, fun dance move, or catchy tune to share with the team. In addition to his admirable work ethic, he is an amazing cook and frequently shares his culinary creations with staff. From decadent soups to tasty macarons, Steve always spoils his team! Thank you, Steve, for sharing your time, your heart, and your treats with Meals on Wheels - everyone appreciates him more than we can express! Laissez les bon temps rouler!

OPPORTUNITIES

Image Text: Become a Friend of the Food Pantry! Can you help fill our shelves as a captain for monthly food drives with your community? Contact Goodman Volunteer Manager Susan at sramspacher@goodmancenter.org to learn more.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Catie Tollefson

Vice President of Mission and Programs

Hi, Volunteers! I'm the new Vice President of Mission and Programs, which is a fancy way of saying that I support the Core Programs—Early Childhood Education, Elementary Afterschool & Summer Program, LOFT Programs (Middle School, High School and TEENworks), Girls Inc, Older Adult Program and Food Pantry. I believe in the work of our Core Programs supporting participants across generations to explore curiosity, courage and connection. My current position, which is new to me and Goodman, helps create bridges between and amongst all our programs. A really cool thing this structure creates is the chance to bring all program managers together and see the sparks fly as they consider creative collaborations and work through the bumps to make our community thrive.

I gained much of my youth employment experience managing teen employees for more than 20 years at Ella's Deli. In 2018, I began volunteering at GCC helping with teen employment. This volunteering parlayed into my first job here in 2019. Over the years, I have worked as the FYI (Fit Youth Initiative) Teen Employment Program Coordinator, TEENworks Manager, and the Assistant Director of Youth and Career Development.

I have been inspired by all the work our volunteers do to make programs not just successful but possible. I truly didn’t understand the reliance we have on volunteers in several of our programs until I took this job. I feel very fortunate to be a part of the amazing Goodman Community Center family!

I am a lifelong Madison north-sider and a graduate of East High school and UW-Madison. Fun facts about me, I have been to an away Badger football game in 26 different cities over 15 years. While I’ve enjoyed visiting all those cities nothing tops Camp Randall.

Feel free to come visit me in the Brassworks building or say hi as I’m moving quickly around to see staff and volunteers in all our Core Programs.

MILESTONES

Birthdays

Here’s to our May birthday friends! Hope your trip around the sun was filled with good fun, good health and good people in your life! Salute for another great year!

May 1

Mary Howick
Lily Bautista

May 5

Pramod Anandaroa

May 7

Keith Heimforth

May 10

Lucas Robinson

May 11

Joellen Ornstein

May 13

Michael Ruder

May 14

Fred McBride

May 16

Megan Williamson
Inyillah Conteh

May 17

Sam West
Laura Westling

May 19

Bill Hutchison
Mason Maeder

May 21

Hildy Feen

May 22

Natalie Peters

May 24

Gloria VanDixhorn

May 25

Jill Fritz

Anniversaries

Happy anniversary to these individuals who started with GCC in May and continue to commit to putting their best foot forward to strengthen lives and futures! We are glad you’re here!

10 Years