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Good Shepherd Services has agreed to acquire two local not-for-profit agencies, Groundwork, Inc. in Brooklyn and Edwin Gould Academy in Manhattan, to strengthen its outreach efforts supporting at-risk youth and families. Good Shepherd will assume the management of Groundwork effective January 1, 2012 and Edwin Gould Academy in the early spring of 2012.
Since its founding in 2002, Groundwork has supported the development of youth, families and communities so that all young people can have access to a full range of opportunities to lead a rewarding and fulfilling life. In its nearly 10 years, Groundwork has become a critical provider of quality programs to thousands of children and families in the East New York and Bedford-Stuyvesant sections of Brooklyn.
In 2006, Edwin Gould Academy began providing vital support services to young people who have left the child welfare and/or juvenile justice systems to help them lead successful and productive lives. Edwin Gould Academy is comprised of two programs: a Multi-Service Center that offers at-risk youth a host of services and supports designed to meet their emotional, employment, housing, educational and legal needs; and the Edwin Gould Residence, a supported housing program with 36 studio apartments and 15 one-bedroom units that house up to 51 young adults and 23 of their children.
“The opportunity to expand our work by incorporating the programs of Groundwork and Edwin Gould Academy makes perfect sense, since these wonderful organizations are aligned with our mission, values and youth development approach,” said Jim Sullivan, President of Good Shepherd Services’ Board of Directors. “Coming together with Groundwork and Edwin Gould will enhance both our presence in highneed communities and our continuum of care for youth leaving foster care and juvenile justice programs. We look forward to building on the successful track record of these incredibly talented agencies,” adds Sr. Paulette LoMonaco, Executive Director of Good Shepherd Services.
Groundwork and Edwin Gould Academy will become part of the Good Shepherd Services organization in 2012. Groundwork’s existing programs in central and eastern Brooklyn will continue uninterrupted using the Groundwork name. Edwin Gould Academy in East Harlem will take on the Good Shepherd name, but services will continue unchanged. Good Shepherd believes that it’s institutional infrastructure and broad reach will be able to offer improved stability and the opportunity for new, more comprehensive services for both Groundwork and Edwin Gould constituents.
“We are excited that Groundwork will now be a part of Good Shepherd Services,” said Matt Klein, Chair of Groundwork’s Board of Directors. "The programs, neighborhood relationships, and community-based advocacy of Groundwork will continue with the additional advantages of strong infrastructure and new management capabilities. Groundwork’s vision has always been to enhance the opportunities of children living in our highest need communities through a continuum of integrated programs, and the union with Good Shepherd, a best-in-class agency with the same goals, provides more capacity to ensure that where children start out in life does not dictate where they end up."
“I could not be more pleased that Edwin Gould Academy will be united under the umbrella of Good Shepherd Services. I am fully confident that under Good Shepherd Services’ care and management the young people whom we serve and the programs that we have built over the years will be well taken care of,” said Thomas Webber, President of Edwin Gould Academy’s Board of Directors.
Good Shepherd Services is a leading youth development, education, and family service organization that surrounds at-risk youth and their families with a web of supports that promote a safe passage to self sufficiency. Winner of the inaugural New York Times Nonprofit Excellence Award for overall management, Good Shepherd works with more than 20,000 New York City children, youth and families through approximately 70 programs in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan. All of Good Shepherd’s innovative programs are grounded in a respect for the potential and diversity of both individuals and communities.
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