“More than 10 years ago, we started working with the city to preserve 38 acres as Goodhue Park for the people of Staten Island, and secure the resources for a new Goodhue Center. Now, with critical leadership from Borough President James Oddo and Council Member Debi Rose—and support from many Staten Island community groups and community members—we seem to have achieved that goal,” said Phoebe Boyer, chief executive officer and president of The Children’s Aid Society. 

Through a combination of $6 million in funding from the office of Staten Island Borough President James Oddo, and additional funding from Mayor Bill de Blasio and City Council, expected as part of the coming year’s budget, Children’s Aid understands that the city will have set aside the resources to purchase the last 11 plus acres of land that will make up Goodhue Park.

“This is a complete win-win for the people of Staten Island—this land will be forever protected as parkland for the city,” said Dan Lehman, chief operating officer of The Children’s Aid Society. “And it wouldn’t have been possible without Borough President Oddo’s cornerstone funding commitment and the unwavering advocacy of Council Member Debi Rose.” 

“Thanks to them, Mayor de Blasio, and City Council, the North Shore of Staten Island will have the preserved green space it deserves,” said Lehman. “And in a few years, we will offer the community a brand-new Goodhue Center that will provide more services—at a higher quality—to the children, youth, and families who have come to count on us over the past 105 years.”

The Children’s Aid Society is an independent, nonprofit organization established to serve the children of New York City.  Our mission is to help children in poverty to succeed and thrive. We do this by providing comprehensive supports to children and their families in targeted high-needs New York City neighborhoods. Founded in 1853, it is one of the nation’s largest and most innovative non-sectarian agencies, serving New York’s neediest children. Services are provided in community schools, neighborhood centers, health clinics, and camps. For additional information, please call Anthony Ramos at (212) 949-4938/ (917) 204-8214, email anthonyr@childrensaidsociety.org, or visit www.childrensaidsociety.org.