SANDY ONE YEAR LATER: Red Hook continues to fight back and build bridges
When Superstorm Sandy’s floodwaters began to recede, the Red Hook Initiative (RHI) remained standing as a community center and beacon of hope for the thousands of residents stranded in city public housing without or without enough heat, electricity, food, water and supplies.
RHI staff transformed their offices inside 767 Hicks Street into a warming center, donation drop-off for food and clothing, a charging area for electronics, and an information and volunteer hub.
Volunteers began streaming in, walking up stairwells to check on disabled and elderly residents, delivering food, providing a friendly face to talk with, and even providing basic medical check-ups and treatment. Local businesses began coordinating cleanup days and even created a benefit cookbook called All Hands on Deck, to help support struggling small business owners.