Red Hook Initiative

The Faces of the Red Hook Initiative

Meet some of our Participants

Khassim Hall
Khassim Hall first came to RHI with his mother, Sandra, while she was taking part in the "Winning Walker" summer exercise program. Khassim is now a participant in our Tae Kwon Do class and is working toward his yellow belt. On Mondays and Wednesdays Khassim enjoys time spent in math tutoring. This extra support outside of school is helping him to stay at the front of his class. Khassim and his mother will begin work within the Family Institutes in March. This group will provide them with extra support for a smooth transition as Khassim prepares to enter the sixth grade next fall. Khassim's talents do not stop there. In February his artwork was selected for the back cover for the Red Hook Directory. So far over 200 copies of the book have been printed. Khassim's drawing of life in Red Hook is a beautiful representation of this community. We look forward to more great things from Khassim.

Enasia Wellington
Enasia Wellington first came to Red Hook Initiative after she saw a flyer in her building distributed by one of RHI's Community Health Educators. She decided to drop into the adolescent "rap group" with one of her friends. Three years later, Enasia is still actively engaged in the RHI programs and services.

A graduate of Clara Barton High School with a nursing major, Enasia is involved at RHI and brings the knowledge she is gaining in school to a community level. Through her work with RHI, Enasia has blossomed into a confident young woman who is now a role model to her younger peers in the neighborhood.

Last year, Enasia assisted RHI's social worker with "Mirrors of Strength," a leadership and empowerment group for 12- and 13- year-old girls. Topics included body image, self-esteem, relationships, and other issues that the group chose. During the ten-week cycle in the fall, Enasia's insight and contribution were so invaluable that the social worker made her a co-leader of the group in the spring.

When asked about her experience, Enasia said, "I am proud to be an influence on these young girls. I believe, as a female of color, one must have a sense of self. It is important that they be content with their physical appearance and have the ability to voice their opinions." Enasia has had a powerful impact on the youth participants at RHI and is now a pre-med student at Rosemont College in Pennsylvania. Congratulations on a job well done!

Spotlight on: Katherine Ortiz

Katherine Ortiz has been an active participant at RHI since we began in 2002. Formerly a member of the Pre-teen Health Club, Katherine is now a Peer Health Educator (PHE). Last summer, along with six other teens from Red Hook, she completed a 40-hour training on reproductive health and wellness. Now, as a PHE, Katherine conducts workshops in the community, provides office assistance at RHI and is the PHE co-facilitator for "Mirrors of Strength," the girls' leadership and empowerment group.

Last summer she was actively involved with the production of their poetry CD-- "Mirrors of Strength Time Capsule." This winter Katherine will begin an internship with the Long Island College Hospital Center for Women's Health in downtown Brooklyn. There Katherine will gain experience working in an office setting that relates to her PHE training.

We look forward to many more years or working with her as she makes her way through high school.
Congratulations Katherine! Keep up the good work.