Goddard Riverside Community Center: Visitor Guide

Quick Guide: Where Should You Go?

Goddard Riverside Community Center Hours

The Columbus Avenue main-office business listing identifies weekday office hours, but Goddard Riverside does not publish one universal opening schedule for all of its programs and neighborhood centers.

Main office email: info@goddard.org

Official contact information ↗

Programs and Community Services

Goddard Riverside is a settlement-house organization with programs for people at different stages of life. Services are organized around education, financial stability, older-adult support, mental health, housing and community engagement.

Official directory of Goddard Riverside programs ↗

Goddard Riverside Older Adult Center: Free Membership & Activities

The Older Adult Center at 593 Columbus Avenue serves people aged 60 and older. Goddard Riverside confirms that membership is free, with activities designed to support social connection, learning, health and independence.

Activities and Services

How to Join the Older Adult Center

1. Check eligibility. Goddard Riverside states that membership is free for adults 60 and older.
2. Contact the center. Call 212-873-6600 and ask for the Older Adult Center at Columbus Avenue.
3. Ask about enrollment. Confirm whether an appointment or identification is requested for registration.
4. Review current activities. Select meals, workshops, social events or other activities from the monthly calendar.
5. Register where necessary. Ask which activities accept drop-ins and which require a place to be reserved.
6. Confirm the visit. Ask about timing, any suggested meal contribution and accessibility arrangements.

Official Older Adult Centers information ↗

Older Adult Meals & October 2026 Activity Calendar

Goddard Riverside publishes an updated monthly meal and activity calendar for the Columbus Avenue Older Adult Center.

Meals support healthy nutrition and provide a chance for older adults to meet neighbors. Goddard Riverside describes its senior-center lunch as offered at an affordable contribution level, but the current Columbus Avenue meal contribution and exact serving time should be confirmed directly rather than relying on historical prices.

How to Find Today’s Meal or Activity

1. Open the official Columbus Avenue meal and activity calendar.
2. Find the month heading and the correct day.
3. Read the meal entry and available activity listings.
4. Check the calendar for holidays or closure notices.
5. Call 212-873-6600 if an activity or meal is important to your visit.

Home-Delivered Meals for Older New Yorkers

Goddard Riverside’s Home Delivered Meals program serves eligible homebound older adults in Manhattan, including the Upper West Side and West Harlem.

Who May Qualify?

• Adults aged 60 or older.
• People unable to prepare nutritious meals, or without someone available to do so.
• People able to remain safely at home when appropriate support services are provided.

How to Request Meal Assistance

1. Call the West office and say you are asking about home-delivered meals.
2. Explain the older adult’s age, neighborhood and difficulty preparing meals.
3. Ask staff about eligibility assessment and service availability.
4. Provide information requested through the official intake process.
5. Confirm the next steps, delivery arrangements and whether other services may help.

On the Upper East Side, the home-delivered meal contact is the Isaacs Center at 415 East 93rd Street, 212-360-7620.

Official home-delivered meals and eligibility ↗

Youth Programs, Afterschool & Summer Camps

Goddard Riverside offers academic and enrichment programs at designated youth facilities. These are not all housed at the Columbus Avenue headquarters.

2026–27 Beacon Afterschool Registration

Goddard Riverside states that registration for the 2026–27 school year begins in early September through discoverDYCD. Enrollment is subject to capacity.

1. Open the official NYC discoverDYCD registration portal using Goddard’s Beacon program page.
2. Sign in or create an account for your household.
3. Search for the West Side Beacon program or enter the published PIN BEA-25775.
4. Enter the child’s information and complete the online application.
5. Watch for the placement email from discoverDYCD.
6. If offered placement, provide the required health form dated within one year and any remaining paperwork.

Program email: rbaptiste@goddard.org.

Official afterschool instructions and registration documents ↗

Housing Support, Benefits & Community Assistance

Goddard Riverside also supports residents dealing with economic hardship, housing concerns and barriers to essential services.

How to Ask for the Correct Service

1. Identify your main concern, such as benefits, housing, food assistance or educational support.
2. Check the official program directory for the department serving that need.
3. Call the program contact or the main office at 212-873-6600 for routing.
4. Ask about eligibility, service boundaries, appointments and documentation.
5. Before visiting, confirm the location and whether staff can assist with your type of case.

Official service directory ↗

Bernie Wohl Center: Arts, Performances & Space Booking

The Bernie Wohl Center is Goddard Riverside’s community arts venue at 647 Columbus Avenue, between West 91st and 92nd Streets.

It hosts cultural events, workshops, performances, arts activities, screenings and community gatherings. It is separate from the main office at 593 Columbus Avenue.

Spaces & Published Capacities

Can You Rent It for a Private Party?

No, not for ordinary personal celebrations. Goddard Riverside says the venue cannot host private events such as weddings, birthdays and funerals, or events affiliated with religious institutions.

Its affordable space-use program focuses on community-oriented events, including performances, meetings, workshops, rehearsals, lectures and exhibitions.

How to Request Community Arts Space

1. Check that your event fits the organization’s community arts eligibility rules.
2. Choose a suitable space and estimate attendance.
3. Prepare the event date, description and technical requirements.
4. Use the official Booking Request Form.
5. Submit the request at least one month in advance.
6. Wait for the team’s review and request a complete price quote before making commitments.

Official booking requirements, room details and request form ↗

Volunteering & Supporting Goddard Riverside

Goddard Riverside welcomes volunteers who can help with older-adult programs, food service, community activities and other approved projects.

Its volunteer page lists food-service opportunities at the Columbus Avenue Older Adult Center during weekday lunch periods. Specific openings and age requirements vary by assignment.

Volunteer email: volunteers@goddard.org
Development Office: 212-873-6600, extension 1021.

Before Volunteering

• Choose an area where you can provide useful assistance.
• Check the current age requirements for that assignment.
• Ask about orientation, training and screening.
• Confirm dates and attendance expectations.
• If volunteering for academic credit, ask whether verification letters are available.

Official volunteering opportunities ↗

Directions, Subway Access & Nearby Locations

Visitor Checklist by Purpose

Related Community Center Guides

Not every community center serves the same purpose. Goddard Riverside focuses strongly on social programs, older adults and neighborhood support, whereas many municipal recreation centers emphasize fitness and sports.

• Community Recreation Center Guide — how public recreation facilities differ in access, classes, hours and admission.
• Woodbridge Community Center Guide — a comparison with a municipal recreation facility offering pools, skating and fitness.

Frequently Asked Questions