2005
Rockaway Waterfront Alliance (RWA) founded
About Us
About Us
Our Purpose
We inspire all generations of Rockaway residents to care for their environment and community. We provide civic engagement and youth development programs that advance social equity and the physical well-being of our vibrant coastal neighborhood in Queens, New York.
The Difference We Make
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96% of our youth participants |
40k community members |
110 public schools, community groups, universities, and businesses partner with us annually |
Our History
RISE was established in 2005 and has led initiatives created “by the community, for the community.” We see potential in places and people that are often overlooked or marginalized. From our first community-directed planning effort, which led to the creation of the 28-acre Waterfront Park on a lot that had been an illegal dumping ground, to our recent work to transform a dilapidated firehouse in the heart of Far Rockaway into a hub for community programming, to Project Underway, our current effort to repurpose an abandoned stretch of roadway into a safe place to walk, ride bikes, and recreate public space, RISE brings residents together to improve the built and natural environment.
2007
RWA hosts "Living Classroom” environmental science program in public schools
2011
Rockaway Waterfront PLANYC Park officially opens
2012
Superstorm Sandy devastates the Rockaways
2015
“Project Underway” Transit Equity Initiative established
2016
RISE Center opens to the public
2017
Rockaways' first mixed-income CSA, RISE Farm Share, established
2019
Rockaway Waterfront Alliance rebranded RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity)
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Our Team
From naturalists to filmmakers, educators to designers, our staff connects experts in various professions to the local Rockaway community.
Jeanne DuPont
Founder and Executive Director
Juvie Anne Alfeche
Public Programs Coordinator
Alana Danieu
Programs Manager
Marvin Lopez Acevedo
Youth Engagement Coordinator
Stephanie Castillo Samoy
Director of Operations & Communications
Board of Directors
RISE Board of Directors are committed to serving the community with enriching programs and services to bring vibrancy, sustainability, and economic development to the Rockaways.
RISE Board of Directors
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Chair |
President Secretary
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Treasurer |
Executive Committee
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Elizabeth Barlow Rogers Debra Eisenstadt Christopher Zeppie, |
Jennifer Carey Christian Capasso Andrew Hannibal
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Barbara Iannelli Morgan Jones Richard Roberts
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Advisory Committee
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Debbie Davies Joanne Ellis Marilyn Gelber Charlesworth Jacobs |
Jee Mee Kim John Nishimoto Don Riepe Sheri Severino |
Jamil Sheppard Ron Shiffman Carol Tweedy Claire Weisz |