MSG CLASSROOM ALUMNI EVENT 2023
On Monday, August 7th, the Garden of Dreams MSG Classroom program alumni gathered for their annual networking event hosted by MSG Networks – a panel discussion featuring superstar Misty Copeland and Apple executive Lisa Jackson, who discussed career and life advice, dropping valuable “gems” for the alumni in attendance.
The group gathered in the MSG Networks studio as Knicks legend Allan Houston introduced the two special guests and opened the panel by asking about their career journey and what it means to be two successful Black women in their respective industries.
Misty Copeland, the first Black Principal Dancer of the American Ballet Theatre, gave the alumni... Read More
“DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT” AGAIN AT THE 2023 TALENT SHOW WRAP PARTY!
On June 21st, 2023, Garden of Dreams welcomed our 2023 Talent Show performers back to Radio City Music Hall for our Talent Show Wrap Party – a night filled with laughs, hugs, reconnecting, and lots of dancing!
Upon arrival, the young people caught up with all their Talent Show friends while gathering together for photos and enjoying food and refreshments. Our incredible DJ was spinning fun, upbeat music, and before we knew it the group joined together to dance and sing together for the first time since the magical night of Talent Show!
To add to the excitement of the evening,... Read More
CELEBRATING OUR INSPIRE SCHOLARS
The Garden of Dreams Inspire Scholarship Program annually awards 15 high school seniors $15,000 per year, renewable for up to 4 years, for a total of $60,000 toward each recipient's education at the college or trade school of their choice. Since 2015, Garden of Dreams has committed $5.8 million in scholarships to 115 students.
On June 20th, 2023, Garden of Dreams hosted an Inspire Scholarship Summer Event at SPIN New York to celebrate our college graduates and welcome our new class of Inspire Scholars. This year, we were excited to welcome 15 new scholars into the program, who will receive $15,000... Read More
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR THESE YOUNG FEMALE ATHLETES
In March 2023, Garden of Dreams launched an exciting new program — just in time for Women’s Empowerment Month!
The Girls’ Basketball Mentorship Program empowers and uplifts young female athletes, who are often overlooked and viewed as secondary to their male counterparts, through coaching, training, and mentorship in the world of sports and beyond.
Through the program, the participating girls:
- Participate in clinics at their site, focusing on basketball skills and subsequent mentorship sessions from visiting female employees leading various areas of work at MSG Sports
- Take off-site trips at least twice a semester to... Read More
“DREAMS TAKE FLIGHT” AT THE 2023 GARDEN OF DREAMS TALENT SHOW!
On Wednesday, April 19th, Garden of Dreams young people took to the Great Stage at Radio City Music Hall to perform in the 2023 Garden of Dreams Talent Show, themed "Dreams Take Flight."
This year saw the 15th edition of the annual Talent Show, and much like the previous 14, the event did not disappoint. Roughly 150 young people from Garden of Dreams partners wowed the crowd of over 2,000 people as they sang, danced, acted, played musical instruments, and most importantly, shared their stories alongside their talents.
Emmy-Award winning television personality and Garden of Dreams... Read More
MSG Classroom Wrap Party “Reality Impacting Us”
On Wednesday, January 11th, 15 of our young people from partner Children’s Aid participated in our MSG Classroom Wrap Party to celebrate their success for this semester of the Emmy Award-winning mentorship program.
Over the course of 10 weeks, 15 of our students took a look behind the scenes of the sports & entertainment television industry, receiving guidance from the best in the business over at MSG Networks. For their culminating project, they helped write, produce and star in their own show, titled “Reality Impacting Us.” With the help of the lessons they learned throughout the semester and their MSG... Read More
DARIEL’S DREAM COMES TRUE
On December 5th, 2022, right on time for the holiday season, Garden of Dreams held a holiday experience for Dariel, a young person from our partner SCAN-Harbor. Dariel, an avid hockey player and fan who dreams of one day playing professionally, had been playing youth hockey with broken glasses for months and Garden of Dreams knew the perfect holiday gift would be a pair of new playing glasses! Since Santa is not currently in the Rangers line-up, current player Chris Kreider was the one to deliver these glasses along with a customized portable Rangers locker. The locker included a full set of playing gear,... Read More
GARDEN OF DREAMS, KNICKS, AND JALEN BRUNSON SURPRISE BRONX FAMILIES WITH HOLIDAY SHOPPING SPREE
On December 6th, The New York Knicks and Garden of Dreams hosted our annual holiday shopping spree!
Two Garden of Dreams families from partner organization WHEDco were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shop 'til they dropped with current Knicks player Jalen Brunson! Jalen's generosity, along with Garden of Dreams and the New York Knicks, enabled the families to put any gift their hearts desired into their shopping cart. Their final haul ranged from electronics to school supplies to kitchen supplies, and even a Christmas tree! It brought just the type of holiday joy that all families deserve.
HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER NIGHT 2022
On November 28th, the New York Rangers and Garden of Dreams collaborated to celebrate the annual Hockey Fights Cancer Night at the Rangers game. This special evening is the culmination of a month-long "Hockey Fights Cancer" initiative hosted by the National Hockey League and featured several Garden of Dreams young people participating in different in-arena elements.
Brody celebrated the end of his cancer treatment at Garden of Dreams partner Cohen Children’s Medical Center when he performed the ceremonial puck drop and rang the bell as a symbol of his new cancer-free status. Brianna Fernandez, from NYPD Widows and Children’s Fund,... Read More
NEW YORK KNICKS AND GARDEN OF DREAMS HOST ANNUAL “DAY OF CHEER:” DECEMBER 2022
Friday, December 2nd was a day to remember for not just one, but three very joyful reasons.
That day marked the annual Garden of Dreams and New York Knicks "Day of Cheer," which saw three simultaneous events spread plenty of smiles.
First, over at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital, young patients received a surprise gift delivery - not from Santa, but from current Knicks player Ryan Arcidiacono! It was the perfect way to spread some cheer and kick off the day.
Nearby, at fellow Garden of Dreams partner Make-A-Wish Hudson Valley, young person Joe showed up... Read More
Child Spotlight
Since 2006, Garden of Dreams has impacted the lives of more than 400,000 young people and families in need. Read about some of the amazing young people who have become part of our Garden of Dreams family.