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The Red Hook Responders

In February, the Red Hook Community Justice Center launched its newest program the Red Hook Responders.  The program responds to social service needs throughout the Red Hook community which remain post-Superstorm Sandy.  The Responders also build resiliency within the Red Hook community by making sure residents are better prepared for and have the resources necessary to recover from a disaster. Since its launch, the Red Hook community has quickly come to recognize our Responders by name, due to their consistent presence at local meetings and events. 

The Responders work towards this goal through a three-pronged approach to community resiliency.
Community Education
The Red Hook Responders develop and conduct educational workshops for the community. In collaboration with the Justice Center’s Housing Resource Center, the Responders have developed a workshop on repairs and housing court, which was presented to seniors at the Red Hook Senior Center, many of whom live in public housing. The workshop included role plays and round table discussions. Each participant went home with a better understanding of the repairs process and more empowered to effectively advocate for themselves. Following each presentation, the Responders met privately with participants to discuss their specific needs and offer further assistance.
 
Social Service Needs
The Red Hook Responders provide one-on-one case management to Red Hook residents in need of social, mental health, crisis management, educational, and employment services. When a Responder opens a case, the client can expect more than just a weekly meeting.  The Responder is available to meet their client wherever they feel the safest, be it in an office, home, or within the community.  By working with the whole person, the Responder ensures that each client determines their own priorities.  The goal is to educate and support clients in advocating for themselves, thereby increasing the community’s resiliency and capacity to make positive change. 
 
Disaster Response
The Red Hook Responders are also available to respond to disasters large and small. In the morning of March 30th, a fire tore through an apartment in the Red Hook Houses, leaving 11 people injured and one family displaced.  Within 24 hours, the Red Hook Responders went door-to-door throughout the building, speaking with residents and leaving information on where to get help.  Many reported to a number of trauma reactions following the fire.  The Responders were able to normalize these reactions and provide immediate psycho-education and trauma counseling. 
You can contact the Red Hook Responders at 718-923-8238. Or visit them at the Red Hook Community Justice Center at 88 Visitation Place, Brooklyn, NY 11231.
 
 
 
Alison Dieguez
Red Hook Responders Program Coordinator

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