Dreams are Motivation
Kids across the New York area are heading back to school. Many of these kids and their families are facing big challenges. Garden of Dreams has helped over 400,000 young people in the tri-state area overcome these challenges and achieve their biggest dreams. Mario, Matthew, Samantha, and Sebastian are a few of those kids. Despite the obstacles standing in their way, they have never given up on their dreams.
Mario, a Bronx-native, has been part of the Garden of Dreams family since childhood through our partner organization, WHEDco. From going to Rangers games to being awarded an Inspire Scholarship, he has... Read More
A New Look & A New Name in the Bronx – SCAN-Harbor Mullaly Recreation Center
This summer, Garden of Dreams was proud to cut the ribbon on the newly refurbished SCAN-Harbor Mullaly Recreation Center (soon to be renamed the T. Wendell Foster Recreation Center) in the South Bronx. The Garden of Dreams Giving Program provided a $1.3 million grant to community partner, SCAN-Harbor, Inc. The grant represented the largest single award the Foundation has made in the history of the Giving Program.
Throughout the project, Garden of Dreams worked with SCAN-Harbor and the NYC Parks Department to update every room... Read More
MSG Classroom Wins Big at the Faxie Awards!
Our kids won big at the prestigious Cablefax “Faxie” awards last month. The MSG Networks' MSG Classroom program won first place in the Community Relations Category for continuing its great work through the pandemic.
This long-standing mentorship program works with MSG Networks to show students interested in entertainment the ins and outs of sports broadcasting. Each week for 2 months, participants visit MSG Networks with a new task to tackle to create an original production. They have hands-on learning experiences with Networks employees, private studio tours, and meetings with industry professionals. These students then work... Read More
Jeremy
First introduced into the Garden of Dreams family at 10-years-old, Jeremy is now a rising sophomore at the University of Scranton. Throughout the years, Jeremy has participated in many Garden of Dreams programs and events including performing in the annual Talent Show at Radio City, attending the Tony Awards as a guest on the red carpet, and receiving an Inspire Scholarship to help him pursue his dreams of becoming a nurse.
Check out our Q&A below with Jeremy to learn first-hand more about Jeremy and his experiences with Garden of Dreams!
Q: How old were you... Read More
Garden of Dreams Week 2021
April 19 - 23, Garden of Dreams teamed up with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, and MSG Networks for Garden of Dreams Week! Throughout the week, Garden of Dreams had the opportunity to highlight our mission of bringing life-changing opportunities to young people in need, to have our youth perform virtually during Knicks and Rangers games, and to fundraise in order to continue our important work in the community.
Garden of Dreams Nights
The Knicks Garden of Dreams Night presented by Kia was hosted on April 20 and... Read More
Brittneyann
Brittneyann is an inspiring Garden of Dreams Talent Show Alumni and Artistic Ambassador. Brittneyann performed in the Garden of Dream Talent Show in 2012 and has continued to give back to the Garden of Dreams community through mentoring younger performers and lending her talent to fundraising initiatives, such as the foundation’s Giving Tuesday campaign. In addition to mentoring, Brittneyann is currently recording in the studio, working on her craft and preparing for Broadway auditions. Prior to the impact of the pandemic on the arts and travel, Brittneyann played Jasmine in Aladdin The Musical aboard the Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship.
We thank... Read More
MSG Classroom Wraps Fall 2020 Session
Despite the challenges of the past year, Garden of Dreams continued hosting the Emmy-Award winning educational program MSG Classroom. During the Fall 2020 semester, in partnership with MSG Networks, 12 high school students from Garden of Dreams partner Children’s Aid had the opportunity to learn about the sports television industry. Throughout the 8-week program, the students connected with professionals from MSG Networks – including industry leaders in production, editing, marketing, public relations and more – to learn about their career paths, ask advice, and receive tips on creating their very own production.
Check out their final project, Bouncing Forward, that highlights their experience!
Talent Show Alumni ‘Season of Giving’ Holiday Performances
During this year's Season of Giving, Garden of Dreams Talent Show Alumni came together to spread joy through song. In the spirit of giving back, the Garden of Dreams performers also recorded songs and special messages that will be shared with pediatric patients who are receiving treatment at our hospital partners throughout the holidays. On behalf of Garden of Dreams and the Garden of Dreams Talent Show Alumni, Happy Holidays!
Read MoreSpreading Joy: Annual Adopt-A-Family Program
Police Athletic League of NYC
This year, the annual Garden of Dreams Adopt-A-Family program was hosted virtually and expanded its reach from New York to Los Angeles and Las Vegas. Partnering with MSG Entertainment, MSG Sports, MSG Networks, and CLG employees, along with many friends of the foundation, contributed gifts from Garden of Dreams AmazonSmile Charity Lists to help brighten the holidays for young people and families in need. In New York, Garden of Dreams partnered with the Police Athletic League of New York City. While on the west coast, the foundation teamed up with the Boys & Girls Club of Metro... Read More
Jill Martin’s “Holiday Steals & Deals” Surprise
You may have noticed some familiar Garden of Dreams faces recently on NBC's 3rd Hour of TODAY! The Ortiz Family, a Garden of Dreams family since 2018, recently was reunited with Today Show contributor and Garden of Dreams advisory board member, Jill Martin, where they discussed everything from quarantine, to family, to the conditions Samantha and Sebastian are currently battling. After catching up, Jill surprised the family with a special video from actor/comedian Tracy Morgan, and later with all of her "Holiday Steals & Deals" products!
Watch this amazing moment of joy: https://www.today.com/video/jill-martin-and-tracy-morgan-provide-deserving-family-with-a-holiday-surprise-96719429969
