President, Greater Ridgewood Youth Council
Glendale
JOB: Monahan is the president of the Greater Ridgewood Youth Council (1999-current). Monahan originally got involved in the organization in 1981 as an associate director shortly after the organization started. The Greater Ridgewood Youth Council (GRYC) is the largest independent youth-serving agency within Community Board 5, presently serving close to 6,000 children and families annually. The GRYC is a not-for-profit agency that provides multi-services. Its programs focus on education, recreation, counseling, truancy prevention, job readiness and employment opportunities, as well as a host of other services.
RESIDENCE: Glendale.
FAMILY FACTS: Monahan has been married for more than 30 years and has three children ranging in age from 24-30.
CAREER GOAL: Monahan is extremely happy at his position, but he sees room for even greater things for the organization down the road. “My dream is to ultimately have a larger community center.”
FAVORITE MEMORY: Monahan’s favorite memory was driving Vito Maranzano to the center after they put up a sign naming the meeting room in his honor.
BIGGEST CHALLENGE: “I am in the business to keep kids out of trouble,” he said. The more we can do to keep kids busy, the less they can do to get in trouble.”
PROUDEST MOMENT: With nearly 25 years of being involved with the organization, Monahan is beginning to see the second generation of students that were in the programs when he started at the GRYC. “Knowing that we make a difference and seeing that people stick around.”
