LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 10th Anniversary of the Red
Hook Initiative

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain
extraordinary organizations it wishes to recognize for its valued
contributions to society and publicly acknowledge its endeavors which
have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and
WHEREAS, Organizations which serve the interests of the people of this
Empire State merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 10th
Anniversary of the Red Hook Initiative; and
WHEREAS, Ten years ago, a small group of people set up an office next
to the Red Hook Houses with the modest mission of teaching some of the
teenage girls how to avoid AIDS and early pregnancy; subsequently, the
Red Hook Initiative (RHI) was born; and
WHEREAS, The Red Hook Initiative's early work quickly demonstrated how
desperate and broad the needs of its community were; in response, RHI
not only expanded its health services but created education, employment,
and community improvement efforts involving hundreds of local residents;
and
WHEREAS, Every year, RHI's Youth Leader Program provides 50 children
the tools to become positive forces for change in a community over-
whelmed by negative forces; these Youth Leaders reach over 750 of their
peers each year with vital information supporting healthy and productive
life choices; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, In the last two years, RHI's Youth Leaders have
presented at an international social work conference in Montreal, a
reproductive health conference in Miami, the NYC Digital Waves Youth
Media Festival in New York, and in meetings with elected officials in
Albany; and
WHEREAS, Twelve hours a day, RHI's space is humming with young people
producing radio segments, practicing for SATs, prepping for job inter-
views, while community partners and residents meet, learn, celebrate,
and plan ways to improve their community; and
WHEREAS, The Red Hook Initiative also provides constant availability
and support for its now 30 college scholars, helping to ensure that they
meet their goal of graduating from college; and
WHEREAS, Through RHI's Community Change Worker training, local resi-
dents learn how to do things like advocate for cleaner streets, track
the inadequacy of local public transportation, and get addresses on
local buildings so emergency workers can respond to life threatening
emergencies in a timely way; and
WHEREAS, In a neighborhood with an unemployment rate of over 60% and a
high school graduation rate of less than 50%, the Red Hook Initiative
has engaged over 150 people in education and employment programs that
enable them to overcome these odds; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organiza-
tions of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our atten-
tion, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of
this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the Red Hook Initiative; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Jill Eisenhard, Founder and Executive Director of the Red
Hook Initiative.