During the fall 2018 semester, Garden of Dreams teens from our partner, Children’s Aid, participated in the MSG Classroom program, a collaboration with MSG Networks that teaches kids about the behind-the-scenes world of the television industry. Over the course of eight weeks, the students have the opportunity to meet with different professionals from MSG Networks and The Madison Square Garden Company to learn about various jobs within the company and gain insight into the many career opportunities available within the television industry. This semester, students had the opportunity to sit down with experts in production, editing, directing, camerawork, broadcasting, marketing, social marketing, public relations, advertising sales, and legal. Aside from networking, the students attended a Knicks game, where they interviewed one of the players, toured the MSG Network production truck and sat in on a Knicks production meeting.  

Using what they learned throughout the semester, the students developed their own segment, titled “Game Changer,” with the help of MSG Networks professionals. Each teen had a specific role in the production, ranging from writer to host to camera person to director. The segment was centered around creating opportunities from changes or obstacles and they even interviewed Michael K. Williams from the HBO show, The Wire, to ask him about how he gives back in the community and who has inspired him in his career.

Congratulations to the MSG Classroom Fall 2018 students for a great semester and insightful segment!

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Garden of Dreams also hosts an Adopt-A-Family program, where MSG and MSG Networks employees help fulfill the holiday wishes of families either living in homeless shelters or transitional housing. This year, Garden of Dreams Adopt-A-Family program is partnering with Children’s Aid to assist 150 families this holiday season.

2018 Garden of Dreams Week

MONDAY, DECEMBER 10
Garden of Dream Week Kickoff
MSG Networks Rangers Fundraiser

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11
MSG Classroom Wrap Party

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
MSG Networks Knicks Fundraiser

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13
Giving Program Celebration
Rockettes Wish Fulfillment

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14
Rangers Garden of Dreams Night at Madison Square Garden
MSG Employee Day of Service

MONDAY, DECEMBER 17
Knicks Garden of Dreams Night at Madison Square Garden

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18
Adopt-A-Family Delivery

Follow us on social media throughout #GDFWeek to see the smiles of our kids as  their Dreams Come True!

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This ribbon cutting was hosted by MSG Networks reporter Jill Martin, and included appearances by the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, Knicks City Dancers, Rockettes, KNX Gaming, Knicks legend John Starks and Rangers legend Rod Gilbert! The Knicks City Dancers surprised Talent Show alumnae, Harlem PAL Showstoppers, and the Showstoppers taught the KCD part of their dance. The two groups performed the Harlem PAL Showstoppers’ routine “Soldiers of Dance” to kick off the ribbon cutting.

Over 200 youth from the Harlem Center enjoyed a Junior Knicks basketball clinic, Junior Rangers street hockey clinic, photo booth with the Rockettes, inflatables and so much more while celebrating this new space. 

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Over twenty children from Bridge Haven Family Center in the Bronx were visited by the Knicks Gaming team last Thursday, July 19th. The six players and their coach have made history as MSG’s first official NBA 2K League team. The players shared their stories and unique backgrounds with the kids during a Q&A session, where they encouraged them to follow their passions. Our kids were even more excited when the Knicks gamers surprised them with a brand-new PlayStation4 to be used at the residence. Bridge Haven will now host game nights every Tuesday and Friday! For the rest of the afternoon, our kids took turns facing off with these gaming pros in NBA2k18, and the competition was intense This was an event unlike any that Garden of Dreams has had before, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Knicks Gaming team!

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Throughout the semester, the student worked on creating and producing their own segment with the help of MSG Networks professionals.  This year’s piece was titled, “Above the Hurdles.” Each teen had a specific role in the production, which ranged from writer to host to cameraperson. These students even had the chance to interview Olympic gold medalist Kendall Coyne and Knicks alumni Larry Johnson

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Being part of MSG Classroom was truly a great experience. MSG Classroom was a program that not only opened my horizons but also helped me find myself. This program showed me that there are more possibilities than just being in front of the camera. It showed me the numerous jobs that are involved behind the scenes. It was MSG Classroom that—along with other programs— helped me break my shell of comfort. If it were my freshman year self taking part in the program, I would not have actively seized the opportunity to interview Knicks legend Larry Johnson and star as the segment host of our show, “Above the Hurdles.” However, it was because of this incredible experience that I was able to partake in the things I would never have dreamt of doing. In addition, it was also MSG Classroom that gave me the opportunity to network and learn from so many MSG Networks business executives and partners. MSG Classroom was an enjoyable, productive, and beneficial program that I feel fortunate to have experienced.

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MSG Networks’ Jill Martin helped surprise another Garden of Dreams teen with an incredible experience. This time, Gaby, an aspiring chef from Garden of Dreams partner Children’s Aid, was welcomed into her favorite chef’s home to cook a signature Knicks dish with him! After making the delicious appetizer “Latin Spiced Chicken Wings with Honey-Lime Glaze and Chipotle Yougurt Dipping Sauce”, Bobby Flay then invited Gaby and her family to a future taping of his Food Network show, Beat Bobby Flay!

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Garden of Dreams child Ryland from Make-A-Wish New Jersey received the surprise of a lifetime when an experience to see a live taping of the Today Show…turned into meeting and forecasting the weather with your favorite weatherman, Al Roker! Special thank you to Jill Martin and MSG Networks for helping to make Ryland’s dream come true.

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As part of the Season of Giving, the New York Knicks surprised many Garden of Dreams children, teens, and families to spread holiday cheer this month! New York Knicks players Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott, and Ramon Sessions delivered toys and shared many laughs with children at Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in Westchester. Later that afternoon, Knicks players Michael Beasley, Damyean Dotson, and Joakim Noah joined teens from Covenant House to help coach their fantasy basketball game. Before the game, the players handed out brand new basketball sneakers and Knicks swag.

To cap off a great day, Knicks players Kristaps Porzingis, Willy Hernangomez, and Frank Ntilikina surprised Jaheem and his family at their home with all of their holiday presents, which included a motorized bike. After playing some pick up basketball with Jaheem and his cousin, the players invited the family to the Christmas Day game, where Knicks alum John Starks brought the family on-court for their last and biggest surprise–a 7 day Royal Caribbean cruise!

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