Red Hook Initiative
We work with Red Hook youth and adults to organize, exercise leadership to drive positive change for the community, and increase social cohesion to build a more resilient neighborhood.
Our Approach
Community Building has always been a key element of our work at RHI, recognizing the need to address systemic issues facing the neighborhood alongside our youth development approach.
Our work focuses on addressing the racial and ethnic inequities that perennially persist across the Red Hook Houses community. These inequities intersect with the systems of housing, education, policing, and health care, deeply impacting the members of the Red Hook Houses community which RHI has served historically and will continue to serve.
#FullyFundRedHookHouses
Hear from Youth Organizers Brianna Lewis and Daniel Rodriguez on what their NYCHA homes mean to them. Watch NYCHA is HOME
Community Organizing
Intergenerational Organizing
An annual “Organizing Academy” to develop leaders of Red Hook Houses ages 16+. Red Hook Houses residents can sign up for Organizing Academy by emailing Tevina Willis at tevina@rhicenter.org
Youth Organizers
An annual cohort of young people ages 16-24, the Youth Organizers learn about community organizing and advocacy, participate in neighborhood meetings and events, and drive change for the community. Youth Organizers email kiyana@rhicenter.org
Red Hook Community Health Network
The Red Hook Community Health Network (RHCHN) is a network of community-based organizations and health partners working to improve the health of Red Hook residents by expanding access to health services and organizing to address root causes of health disparities of the community. Community members can join the Network and get involved in our health advocacy work by emailing kara@rhicenter.org
Red Hook Community Health
A Red Hook Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment (CHNAA) was conducted with support from the NYU Langone Health Community Service Plan. The assessment was planned by a team of six organizations: The Alex House Project, Family Health Centers at NYU Langone, Good Shepherd Services, NYU Langone Health Department of Population Health, Red Hook Community Justice Center, and the Red Hook Initiative.
Read The Red Hook Community Health Needs and Assets Assessment (CHNAA)
Community Resources
The Community Resource team supports Red Hook residents 25 and older with referrals for health services, employment support, and does direct enrollment in benefits like SNAP, One Shot Deals, and free broadband. The team can also help with housing repair issues and let you know about your rights as a NYCHA tenant. Due to support from the Gerstner Foundation. RHI distributes grants to pay bills for community members who have an emergency such as an illness, flooding or major utility outage, fire, or loss of employment. To reach the Community Resource Team email michel’le@rhicenter.org
