Red Hook has recently become one of my favorite places to take out-of-town visitors because it feels so different from many other NYC neighborhoods. A funky “museum” on an old barge owned by an ex-clown; bluegrass jams and raucous folksy concerts; and a free (on weekends) water taxi that offers an only-in-the-movies view of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty…

And while my tourists and I eat pie and gaze at flowers, there’s another story in Red Hook: one of a new model for community development.

The Red Hook Initiative works to confront and affect the consequences of intergenerational poverty through an approach that offers support in education, employment, health and community development. We believe that social change comes from within individuals. The momentum to improve the quality of life for Red Hook’s residents – as well as the community at large – must come from the people living in the community. Currently over 95% of our employees live in the Red Hook Houses.

They even run a youth-produced radio station. RHI radio “is teaming up with WNYC’s Radio Rookies and People’s Production House Radio Rootz program to host the Digital Waves Festival: The First Annual New York City Youth Audio Conference” on July 30. Who wants to go with me?