• Our Impact
  • Impact in Red Hook

Each year, RHI impacts the lives of over 6,500 residents of Red Hook. RHI’s model confronts the systems and barriers that perpetuate poverty for the Red Hook community. Youth and residents are given tools, resources and opportunities with which they can lead the way toward a more equitable, hopeful future.

Empowering Youth
  • $260,000 earned by Youth Leaders for their work to create positive change in Red Hook
  • 2,500+ community members were engaged through organizing workshops, community health fairs, seasonal farm stands and zines — all designed and implemented by Youth Leaders
  • 220 Young Adults strived toward individual goals for education, employment and professional or personal growth
  • 85% of Youth Leaders graduated from high school on-time
Building Community
  • 1,500 users logged onto Red Hook WIFI
  • 400 petition signatures to extend the rezoning timeline and invest in a Participatory Action Research project for the district
  • 68% record-setting self-response rate to ensure an accurate count in the 85th and 59th census tracts
  • 25 youth and adult residents of the Red Hook Houses completed RHI’s Organizing Academy, an intensive 8-week training academy
Investing in Residents
  • $5.5M was earned by people from Red Hook in the past five years
  • $1.6M earned from Red Hook residents through staff salaries, stipends or contracts with local businesses
  • 30+ alumni have joined RHI as permanent staff members since our founding in 2002
Responding to COVID-19
  • 3,758 food boxes containing 36,041 pounds of produce were distributed to vulnerable and food insecure residents.
  • 1,500 young adults joined a new virtual Entrepreneurship Series
  • 250 young people aged 12–24, maintained contact with RHI
  • 100% of our college students received outreach to support a safe return to Red Hook
Read the Full Impact Report
“I farm because my goals align with the goals of the farms within my community — to empower others (especially youth) and to educate others about the importance of food justice and making sure others are embracing healthy habits. I farm because it is not only just a workplace for me, but also a passion that I have adapted to for the past 4–5 years of learning a new environment and what it endures.”
— Chane, Red Hook Farms Assistant

— Chane, Red Hook Farms Assistant

“Being a part of Peer Health Navigators is a life changing experience! People see us as a well oiled group who can get the job done no matter what or the time. We’re not just a group that can get the job done, we’re also a family. I know while I have been working here with my group, I have just as much support here at RHI with people who care and support me like at home.”
— Anthony W, Senior Peer Health Navigator, who worked with his cohort to distribute over 600 personal hygiene kits to peers in Red Hook

— Anthony W, Senior Peer Health Navigator, who worked with his cohort to distribute over 600 personal hygiene kits to peers in Red Hook

“When I first came to Red Hook Initiative I did so with the intent of finding a temp job. I was so desperate for work that my friend had told me to visit this location and see what they could do for me. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I was going to enter a program to develop my skills exponentially in a short period of time AND meet individuals that I would want to be involved with my long term goals.”
— Brian, Career Starter Series Graduate

— Brian, Career Starter Series Graduate

“I farm because I want to make a difference in my community and give the people of the community great produce. I am a person of color just trying to serve my peoples. I want the world to know that I’m just your average joe. It’s not that hard but it’s not that easy.”
— Andrew, Red Hook Farms Distribution Coordinator

— Andrew, Red Hook Farms Distribution Coordinator

“The organizing academy program made me more invested in advocating for what I feel is right. Being a youth organizer changed me for the better and it made me realize the importance of the world around me. People go through similar situations and they just need someone to speak up to help them”
— Odalys, RHI's Community Organizer

— Odalys, RHI’s Community Organizer

“The impact youth organizers had on me and will always be with me is the way we provide help to the community. Whether it’s handing out information or finding better ways to get the community together and help solve a problem by hearing all ideas”
— Inez, RHI's Community Organizer

— Inez, RHI’s Community Organizer