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Jezebel Gomez went through Culinary Arts training in 2022 and wowed the instructors with her teamwork and kitchen hustle. Clearly they weren’t the only ones who noticed: she got hired before she even graduated by her internship site, Hawksmoor, an upscale restaurant in the Flatiron District.  

After spending a year fine-tuning her skills, Jezebel reached out to the Isaacs team for guidance on her next move. We’re thrilled to report that she’s joined the staff of Chef Jean-George Vongerichten’s new fine-dining restaurant, FourTwentyFive, which just opened on Park Avenue! 

The Culinary Arts program asked her to share her thoughts on her experience. Here’s what she wrote: 
 
“I didn’t know what I was getting myself into when I started this program, nor did I know the amount of beautiful people, insightful teachers and immense amounts of support I was going to receive. It was a sense of community I was yearning for, and my love for the kitchen was amplified when given the tools to succeed. I was able to focus on learning rather than how I was going to finance it; a freedom not many get to experience. I’m beyond grateful for the opportunity and confidence the program gave me; it allowed me to walk into my internship interview ready for whatever challenge awaited. 
 
“Hawksmoor was a very different environment than the school kitchen. The expectations were high and didn’t allow for excuses. It was a major adjustment, but that high expectation ultimately gave me a sense of pride, credibility, and respect for the kitchen and food itself. Anyone can learn how to cook, but to have respect for the kitchen and everyone who works in it, truly allows you to become a great chef.” 

Our Culinary Arts program provides young people aged 18-24 with training on everything from skills such as knifework, butchery, baking, plating, and presentation to fundamentals such as proper work habits, professionalism, and food safety and sanitation. Students obtain their NYC DOH Food Handler License and ServSafe Certification. The program is tuition-free. For more information, fill out the program inquiry form, or click here learn about all of our workforce training programs.

The end of the calendar year is the most popular time to support your favorite causes. This year we’re making it easy by providing plenty of quick and secure ways to donate. 

With check theft on the rise, authorities say you should avoid simply dropping a check in a blue postal box on the street. If you must mail your donation, try to give it directly to a USPS employee or mail at a post office.  

But first, check out these convenient alternatives! 

Debit or credit card: Give securely online via our donation page. Our partner, DonorPerfect, uses the latest technology to keep your transaction safe.  

PayPal and Venmo: Our secure donation page accepts these platforms too!  

Double your Donation: Use our quick and easy digital tool to find out whether your employer will match your gift! https://isaacscenter.org/matching-gifts/ 

Give by phone: Throughout November and December you can call our donation hotline at 212-873-6600 ext. 1012 and give your information directly to one of our Development staffers.

We want you to feel good—and secure—about the way you give. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Annual Giving Manager, Victoria Sheridan, at vsheridan@goddard.org or 212-873-6600 ext. 1026. Have a wonderful holiday season! 

As the weather cools, many people start thinking about the holidays: What am I making for Thanksgiving dinner? What gifts do I get my family? Do I need to get out my warm boots? 

The Isaacs Center also asks these questions, but on a much larger scale. No matter the season, we keep working with over 20,000 people to cover their practical needs of food, shelter, education, and care. We’d love for you to join us! 

If you are interested giving in-kind donations to Isaacs this holiday season, please consider the following urgently needed items: 

• Toiletries and personal care items 
• Winter coats, boots, gloves, hats, and socks 
• School supplies 
• Twin-sized bed linens 
• Metrocards or Amazon gift cards for $10-15 
• Books in Spanish for children and adults 
• Tablets (models no later than 2019) 

Due to health and safety regulations, items must be new and unused, except for tablets, which must be wiped.  

Donations can be dropped off at any of our main offices between November 1 and December 12 from 9am-4pm:

• Isaacs Center at 415 E 93^rd St. (and First Ave.)
• Goddard Riverside at 593 Columbus Ave. (at 88th)
• Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center 250 W 65^th St. (near West End Ave.)

If you would like a tax acknowledgement letter, please include a note with your contact information with the donation.  

If you have any questions, please contact us at 212-618-2896 x1026.  

Beyoncé thumped out of the speakers. Staff and young people helped themselves to a full spread of barbecue, rice and beans and fried chicken. In the room next door, a lively pool game was underway. 

That’s how the Teen Expansion program at our Youth Center brought another summer of good times to a close.  

Teen Expansion is funded by the New York City Housing Authority to serve young people living in public housing at the Isaacs Houses and Holmes Towers. It runs on weekday evenings in the summer to provide a safe and enriching place to go. This year it offered a wide range of things to do, including cooking classes, a spelling bee, podcasting, a cupcake decorating contest, and a group project to paint a colorful, abstract mural on the wall. 

“The Spelling Bee was a highlight,” said Program Coordinator Yazmine Ortega. “Friendly competition is where the fun happens!” 

16-year-old Mikey came nearly every night. His highlights included field trips to the Wildwater Kingdom at Dorney Park and paintball at Area 53 in Brooklyn. He also liked playing games on the Youth Center’s Nintendo Switch.  

“They have a lot of activities,” he said. “It’s a really fun place to be at.” 

A longtime Isaacs Center volunteer and three other Upper East Siders are among the six people honored with Good Neighbor Awards this year.

“This is a woman who constantly fights for her community. I want to say thank you for the constant work you do,” said Maribel Mejia, who runs one of the Isaacs Center Beacon programs, while introducing honoree Wilma Lorraine Johnson.

“My love for my community is a love for each and every person that I can help to smile or laugh,” said Johnson, who volunteers at our Older Adult Center and After School Program in addition to the Beacon. “Just think, if each one of us could give someone else some love, some joy and some peace, what a wonderful world this would be.”

Dorothy Reiss, a founding member of Friends of Webster Library, said the benefits of volunteering run in both directions. “I didn’t choose this life of volunteer work so much as it chose me,” she said. “It’s a gift to me.” 

The awards are presented by our partners at Goddard Riverside and honor people in Yorkville, East Harlem, Harlem and the Upper West Side who invest significant time and effort to build a stronger community.

This year’s winners are: 

Wilma Lorraine Johnson – for her volunteer work and community leadership. Lorraine has volunteered with the Stanley M. Isaacs Center at the Older Adult Center, After School Program, and Beacon for over 23 years. She is the President of the Stanley Isaacs Older Adult Center, and is currently serving on the advisory board of Metropolitan Hospital. At the Isaacs Center she regularly coordinates and leads free art events for all age groups, including art lessons, crochet activities, and making flowers out of recycled materials. She donates art materials, and has always been available to assist during community events. She is a community activist who continues to put her best foot forward and is involved in all aspects of the community.  

Emma Justus – for her commitment to helping families facing cancer. While in the sixth grade at Wagner Middle School, Emma cofounded the charity organization Club Care, after her father was diagnosed with terminal glioblastoma brain cancer. Club Care’s mission is to support children and families dealing with cancer, and Club Care has created care packages for pediatric oncology patients at a local hospital, hand delivered staff appreciation gifts for the oncology team, created room makeovers for pediatric cancer patients, and more. Emma has worked throughout her time in middle school and high school to expand Club Care, and is working to open chapters across the country. 

Melissa Elstein – for her volunteer work with housing, education and environmental advocacy on the Upper West Side. Melissa has been involved in community organizing for over 20 years, starting when she and several neighbors started the West 80s Neighborhood Association, which protected numerous historic brownstones and saved their tenants from eviction. In addition to serving as secretary of the West 80s Neighborhood Association, she is the cofounder/lead organizer of Love Your Street Tree Day and is the board chair and secretary of Stop the Chop NY/NJ, whose mission is to address the air and noise pollution caused by nonessential helicopters in the NY metropolitan area.  

Dorothy Reiss – for her work with New York libraries and bookstores. Dorothy is one of the founding members of the Friends of Webster Library, which worked to get the library designated landmark status. In 2004, the Friends opened the Book Cellar, a used bookstore in the basement of the Webster Library, which collects and sells donated books from community members. Dorothy has been there for over 19 years and can still be found behind the cash register. Through the Book Cellar, she helped to raise over $1 million for branch libraries of the NYPL. That money has funded special projects at the libraries, buying computers, books, and most recently a selection of books called the Harlem Collection. 

Carolyn Breidenback – for her longtime volunteer work with her local elementary school, PS 198. Carolyn has been volunteering at PS 198 for twenty years, coming in four days a week to serve as an assistant teacher, helper, and overall positive presence. She helps the PTA with fundraising and obtaining items for the school auction, encourages her friends and family to donate to the school, and, at 94 years old, she has seen four principals come and go during her time volunteering. Carolyn has a close relationship with the teachers, students, and school community, and is constantly trying to find ways to improve the school.  

Margarita Curet Osorio – for her work representing the residents of Amsterdam Houses. Margarita held the position of president of the Amsterdam Houses Residents Association for over 16 years, and went above and beyond while representing over 2000 tenants who live in the development. She advocated for maintaining safety and cleanliness of the facilities, and held monthly meetings with presentations from local organizations. She also facilitated family days which, in addition to barbecuing and entertainment, included tabling by cultural and health organizations that presented information and sign-ups for residents, making programs and services more accessible to residents, and organized educational activities such as computer classes for tenants. She has also served as a board member of the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center. 

From a quilt inspired by quantum mechanics to a triumphant musical about the power of community—older adults at the Isaacs Center and our partner, Goddard Riverside, created and enjoyed amazing art this spring.  

Isaacs Center members joined professional actors to perform the original show “Geezers: The Musical” in front of a packed house in the Isaacs Center dining room. The script was inspired by “Scrooged” and told the story of the fictional “Stanley Isaacs Senior Home,” whose residents are threatened with eviction by miserly landlord Mr. Manson.  

Eight Older Adult Center members were in the cast.  “They came to practice twice a week for 3 months, and they really gave it all up there,” said Director and Co-Playwright John Ruiz-Miranda. “They showed up on time, always ready to work.” 

Member Marsha France had always wanted to try acting. She said she got alot out of the experience. “I learned about projecting—and being present in the moment, because sometimes things happen and you have to just cover it up,” she said with a laugh. 

Isaacs Center members also met throughout the spring to do creative crochet.  

“I hated crocheting,” said class member Raquel Cimino. “Now I’m in love. I’m like an addict. I have to crochet.” Cimino showed off pictures of a big orange shoulder bag she made with the words BE KIND in white, along with a sweater she made of colorful squares. “I didn’t know I could crochet BE KIND,” she added. “I didn’t know that existed!” 

Older adults at Goddard Riverside’s Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center enjoyed a weekly exploration of Latin music with “Songs Across America,” a series of performances organized by the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance. “It was very soothing and relaxing and fun. We were thrilled to have them here,” said Program Coordinator Alan Mehl. 

At Goddard’s Older Adult Center on Columbus Avenue, participants created a colorful quilt based on a seemingly unlikely inspiration: quantum mechanics. Artist Sika Foyer said her starting point for the design was the concept that every being and object on Earth is made up of particles.  

“Every one of us, we are electrons. All of us, the table, the chair, the floor,” she explained. “That’s all we are.” She put dots on a piece of paper to represent these particles. Then, members of the class connected the dots into shapes, which they cut out of fabric and ultimately stitched into a quilt. 

All these artistic endeavors were made possible by the city’s SU-CASA program, which partners with local organizations and elected officials to place artists at older adult centers across the city. We’re grateful to City Council Members Julie Menin and Gale Brewer for their support of these programs, as well as the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, and NYC Department for the Aging.