The Faces of the Red Hook Initiative

Ericka

Ericka speaking in front of 2,500
at the NYWF breakfast.
 

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 went to after-school programs throughout Brooklyn and taught younger teens about puberty, safer sex, and HIV. Along with her team, Ericka designed programs and events for her peers in Red Hook. The following year, Ericka became a PHE II - focusing her work time on peer counseling. When she started to provide peer counseling for girls in our "Almost Teens" group, the 9 - 11 year olds would fight over who got to have "counseling" with Ericka first.

Last year, Ericka, along with two other PHEs, began our first PHE replication. She trained ten young women from the Sadie Nash Leadership Project in reproductive health. Ericka was instrumental in planning and teaching the eight month program; she continues to act as a consultant for the young women from Sadie Nash who are now leading their own workshops.

In spring 2008 Ericka received the Robert Acito Award for Youth Involvement from Brooklyn Community Board Six. Ericka was recognized for the volunteer work she did on the "100 Letters to My Father" project which was held at Medgar Evers College. As the only youth member of the planning committee; Ericka was instrumental in planning this event focused on healing relationships with fathers.

On May 15, 2008 Ericka spoke in front of 2,500 people at the New York Women's Foundation "Celebrating Women Breakfast." Ericka shared her story and how her involvement with RHI has helped to shape her life. To read Ericka's personal story in her own words, click here: Ericka's speech.

Ericka is currently a senior at Benjamin Banneker Academy and is applying to colleges for fall 2009.

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 Red Hook Public Safety Corps in October of 2004 and worked in the Mediation Department. She then went on study office administration at Wood Tobe-Coburn and graduated in December 2007. She is currently working on a book entitled: Stages and Times.

Sherri became a part of the Red Hook Initiative team when she learned about a contest to design the cover of the first Red Hook Directory. Sherri won the contest and became more interested in our organization. In early 2007, Sherri applied to be a Community Change Worker. She now actively works to create positive change to the community by engaging residents in community actions, attending organizing trainings and political education workshops, and traveling to organizing conferences. Sherri says "I was truly empowered to go to Atlanta, Georgia last year for the U.S. Social Forum. I have a passion for the fight in social justice. I am fortunate to work in an organization whose vision for community development, education, health education, and job assistance is making a difference in Red Hook."

Sherri continues "I know that change begins with me, so expanding my horizons and learning more about organizing has enabled me to view my today as a victory for a better tomorrow." Sherri's overall goal in life is to make a difference in the lives of others. She feels that the RHI Community Organizing Training has made her grow and want to learn more about what's behind the issues that Red Hook and similar communities are facing. "It is time, as a community, that we acknowledge our power to create a positive image for those in government who perceive us as 'hopeless and fearful.' As a Community Change Worker, I know this is not a day or hour to be silenced when the cries of shattered communities have become a constant cry."

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. His mother, Samora Coles who is the Reproductive Health Coordinator at RHI, was very influential in his decision to work with the RHI. As a Tree Care Intern, Alex helps to maintain the newly planted trees outside the RHI along Clinton Street. The trees were planted as part of the Red Hook Street Tree Campaign launched in 2007, initiated by RHI, in an effort to improve air quality. Alex Coles also serves as a radio intern, forming radio playlists and information pieces for RHI's internet radio show.

Since joining RHI, Alex has taken advantage of the other programs offered at the center such as tutoring and college preparation. Tutoring has improved his grades in subjects that were once troublesome; and with the help that he received, he managed to pass all of his New York State Regents exams. What Alex enjoys most about RHI is that he looks forward to coming into work everyday. "Everyone in RHI is close like a family," he says, "I have a close relationship with everyone here."

At RHI, Alex has gained knowledge on how to obtain a job and how to conduct himself professionally in a work environment. Also, Alex learned leadership skills and the importance of teamwork, which are virtues that will assist him in his new role as one of the football captains of his high school football team. In the future Alex plans on attending college, bringing with him the skills and life lessons he gained at RHI.

Antasia

Antasia Johnson

Antasia Johnson first learned about the Red Hook Initiative while speaking to her neighbor, Samora Coles (RHI Reproductive Health Coordinator), about applying for a position as a Peer Health Educator (PHE). She joined the staff at the Red Hook Initiative in October 2006 with seven other PHEs. Besides completing the reproductive health training that all first year PHEs study, Antasia quickly took on a leadership role with the "Almost Teens" girls group that meets every Saturday. She has become a role model and friend for these 9 - 11 year old girls who look forward to seeing her every weekend.

Over the last ten months, Antasia has taught puberty workshops for girls from the community, led CookShop workshops for teens at RHI and has assisted her co-workers in creating a public service announcement on teenage pregnancy and safer sex. In April, Antasia was selected to represent the PHE program in a presentation to the Board of the New York Women's Foundation.

This coming summer, Antasia will assist the Red Hook Initiative staff in running the pre-teen summer program and the Passport to Summer project. Antasia has leadership skills and organizational abilities which most young people have not yet developed. These skills make her a fundamental part of the team at the Red Hook Initiative.

Antasia is graduating from high school this spring and plans to attend Medaille College where she will study computer science and social work. Her wish for the future is to create a program that will prepare people of all ages to achieve success. "We are the next generation of leaders," she said, "what's better than to lead, is to teach others how to do so for themselves."

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 social services in the Red Hook community. After completing that project, Junius started volunteering at the Red Hook Initiative. After looking for a job without much luck, he decided to help others who were in the same situation. Junius created the Job Seeker's Support group that met weekly. This group not only helped people to work on resumes, cover letters and interview techniques, it also gave people the chance to share news of job opportunities and to support each other in the search. Brooklyn Community Board 6 recognized Junius' volunteer work by awarding him the Robert Acito Award for Youth Involvement.

With skills that he learned through the NPower Training Program, Junius has been able to lend his technical expertise to the Red Hook Initiative. Programming computers, troubleshooting glitches and maintaining a network now keep Junius busy with a part-time position at RHI. He is also able to balance the technical with the creative. Junius has planned and hosted three open mic poetry slams at the Red Hook Initiative.

Junius was able to benefit from the education services at the Red Hook Initiative. One-on-one tutoring sessions helped to prepare Junius for the SAT. He then worked closely with the Education Advocate to apply to college. With assistance from the staff at RHI and a board member, Junius has been able to secure a full scholarship to Sullivan County Community College with a guaranteed transfer to SUNY Purchase. He will study computer technology and social services. In the future Junius hopes to combine his interest and skill in technology with his natural tendencies toward helping others.