Elaine Goodman was 37 when she enrolled at STEPS in 2000. Having grown up in a Harlem housing project as one of 8 children, Elaine dropped out of high school, became a mother and occasionally took on temporary construction jobs. When she came to STEPS, her academic skills tested on the 7th grade level. After 18 months in the Adult Basic Education class, her skills had improved to the point where she joined those preparing to take the GED exam. But as a longtime welfare recipient and mother of 9 children, Elaine was mandated to go to work. She joined New York City’s Parks Opportunity Program last year where her job is to clean up after visitors to Flushing Meadow Park in Queens. Recently, after receiving favorable evaluations, Elaine was selected out of 200 participants in the program to be hired as a seasonal year-round worker.
Mid-morning on January 13, 2004 Elaine and her co-workers were working near the tennis stadium in the park when Elaine heard a woman crying for help. The woman told her that three men were beating up her husband in the restroom. Elaine rushed in with her co-workers and they quickly “got into the thick of it” by pulling the three men off the victim, and calling their supervisor. The assailants were made to take off their shoes and sit on their hands to wait until the police came. The three were arrested for robbery and pleaded guilty in Queens Supreme Court on January 27. According to the Daily News the criminal complaint stated that the victim had been kicked, punched and robbed of two gold chains. Elaine said that she saw the suspects beating up the victim, who clearly had a bleeding mouth.
Elaine has received notable attention for her assistance in this incident. On February 23, the Daily News featured her in a long article, designating her the “Hero of the Month.” The Queens Park Commissioner said in the article that Elaine had been selected from the program to be retained because of her work ethic. “We apparently picked a winner,” he said. Elaine’s supervisor noted that Elaine had not missed one day on the job and that because she lives in the Bronx, it takes her two hours to get to the park.
To her children, Elaine is a superhero for catching the muggers and getting her life on track. Elaine seems to take this attention in stride. She said, “I was not playing” when she stopped the mugging. “This can’t happen. People are supposed to be safe here. It’s a place for people to come and enjoy themselves.” If she confronted another crime in progress in the park, she would try to do it again. Congratulations Elaine for a job done well!

STAFF

NEW STAFF We welcome Erica Abbensetts, an experienced teacher who joined STEPS last year to lead Adult Basic Education classes.

Erica Abbensetts playing Scrabble with Students

CELESTER BEASLEY, SECURITY GUARD In 1998, Celester Beasley returned to school after an absence of 40 years and enrolled in STEPS’ academic program to improve his basic skills. For the past 5 years he has served as STEPS’ maintenance man and porter while attending classes. Typical of his character, Mr. Beasley answered our need for a security guard at our new location, and in the past few months has successfully completed both 8 and 16 hour security guard trainings. We congratulate Celester Beasley for continuing to improve his life and skills in true STEPS’ fashion. He is a constant role model for other students, and is a valuable protector and advocate for STEPS’ programs.

Celester Beasley