The Faces of the Red Hook Initiative
Mohammed
My name is Mohammed Martinez. I am 16 years old and I go to William E. Grady High School. I am a resident of the Red Hook community. I work at RHI which is a community center that takes different steps to change the Red Hook community. I am a Peer Counselor at RHI.
I also am working with another group of youth called "Looking Toward the Future". In this group, I helped to create an extracurricular program for Red Hook youth. The goal of this program was to help keep kids doing well in school and maintain a path in life. In the Peer Counseling group, we are being taught how to talk to people and learn how to help them confront any problems they may have. We are also being taught how to become good, organized, and interesting group facilitators.
I began working at RHI as an extracurricular activity, and also because I would be working in a place where I could help other people in Red Hook. I hope to continue working at RHI for many more years to come. I enjoy my job and the people I work with are wonderful. I encourage you to come and help yourself to the many resources we have to offer.
Tyshame
 Tyshame Reid My name is Tyshame Reid and I'm an Office Assistant (OA) at the Red Hook Initiative (RHI) located in Brooklyn, N.Y. I am 14 years old and I just started my freshmen year at John Dewey High School. I have been a resident in the Red Hook community since I was seven years old. One thing I like about Red Hook is it is located near a pier. Plus, I love that fresh and salty scent floating in the damp mist of the air nearby.
I began volunteering at RHI in April 2008. My first event with RHI was when I participated in "Dancing in the Streets" performed by "Team Next" in June 2008. I was recently hired in September 2009 because I participated in a lot of events and fundraisers dealing with RHI. My latest event was when I volunteered at "A Taste of Red Hook" which took place in September 2009. I currently work 4 days a week and I assistant around the office by running errands and learning more skills that would help me continue on with life as an adolescent in need of care. When I asked Jill why she hired me she said, "It's because you are a hard and persistent worker and I know you will be a role model for other young men from Red Hook."
As a working teen, my interests are writing music, spending time with my friends, and boxing in a gym. My goal is to become a Hip Hop Artist. However I plan to be the one of few artistes who will graduate from college. I thank RHI for all the support and help they given me to move on with life.
Matawah
 Matawah Deberry My name is Matawah Deberry and I'm a Peer Health Educator (PHE) at the Red Hook Initiative (RHI) located in Brooklyn, N.Y. I am 16 years old and I'm entering my senior year in high school. I have been a resident in the Red Hook community for most of my life.
I began working at the Red Hook Initiative at the age of 14 as a PHE 1. I was trained on the male and female reproductive system. I learned about different sexually transmitted infections, and I also did workshops that were based on body development. After completing my time as a PHE 1, I moved on to being a PHE 2. Becoming a PHE 2 was similar to being a PHE 1. PHE 2's focused on peer counseling. I did many workshops on dating violence, sexual harassment, drugs, and many other topics. In the fall of 2009 I will become a PHE 3.
As a working teen my interest is listening to music, going to concerts, and discovering new bands. My goal is to learn how to play at least one instrument. After graduating high school my goal is to continue my education and study to become a registered nurse or a social worker.
Antasia
 Antasia Johnson Antasia Johnson first learned about the Red Hook Initiative while speaking to her neighbor, Samora Coles RHI's Reproductive Health Coordinator, about applying for a...
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Ericka
 Ericka Medina Ericka Medina is a Peer Health Educator, Level 4 at the Red Hook Initiative. Ericka was one of the first PHEs who began working with RHI in 2005. As a PHE Level I, Ericka...
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Sherri
 Sherri Harden Sherri Harden has been a long-time resident of the Red Hook Houses. After finishing high school Sherri studied to be a medical assistant and did physical therapy for a year. She joined the ...
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Alex
 Alex Coles Alex Coles joined the Red Hook Initiative (RHI) in the summer of 2005 as a volunteer and soon became one of the first tree care interns at the organization ...
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Junius
 Junius Johnson Junius Johnson came to the Red Hook Initiative in the fall of 2005 to be a Community Change Worker (CCW). Junius and his fellow CCWs created the Red Hook Directory, a 90 page guide to ...
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