The Faces of the Red Hook Initiative
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 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. Antasia not only helped to lead this group, she also taught puberty workshops for girls from the community, led cooking workshops for teens at RHI and assisted her co-workers in creating a public service announcement on teenage pregnancy and safer sex.
Currently Antasia is a sophomore at Medaille College in Buffalo, New York. Antasia continues to work at RHI when she is at home during college breaks and summer vacation. In 2008, with support from RHI, Antasia was accepted as a full time employee for the City, working as a youth leader. This is just another confirmation of Antasia's 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.
In 2008 Antasia was awarded a $2,000 scholarship from RHI's Joan Bennett Stewart Scholarship Fund which supports young people from the Red Hook Houses who are pursuing a college degree. Antasia is studying business and psychology and plans to continue on her path of social justice 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."
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 ...
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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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