the red hook initiative creating change from within: peer health education
TRANSCRIPT
The Red Hook InitiativeCreating Change
From Within:Peer Health Education
Mission Statement
The Red Hook Initiative works to confront and affect the consequences of intergenerational poverty by providing support in the areas of education, employment, health, and community development. We believe that social change starts within individuals. We empower people who live in the community by providing training and employment so in turn, they can create their own programs and provide support services to their neighbors, family, and friends.
Peer Health Education
Stage One:
Training
Stage Two:
- Community Education
- Peer to Peer Counseling- Workshops
- Referrals
Peer Health Educators
Training
10 – 12, teenage girls (ages 14-17) living in the Red Hook, Brooklyn community.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of sexuality, reproductive health, and health education techniques.
Build their knowledge of reproductive justice. Group meets minimum of twice a week year
round.
Peer to Peer Counseling
Ability to identify youth in crisis faster than adults (on the ground approach).
Engage young people in age and stage appropriate discussions around reproductive health and wellness.
Create a safe space for teens to discuss reproductive health issues and get referrals for comprehensive care.
Workshops
Create and facilitate their own workshops for teens in their community.
Travel to local schools and organizations to teach other youth reproductive health.
Reduce the number of dangerous myths and misinformation surrounding sexuality and sexual expression.
Become the referral resource for peers.
Peer Health Educators teaching a HIV workshop to their peers
Other benefits
Bi-weekly paychecks throughout the year. Work study/tutoring (min 1 hour/week). 1:1 Health/social work screenings (2x/year). High school and college application assistance
and/or advocacy in school. Builds employment and job readiness skills Young women see themselves as leaders in
their own community.
Outcomes
Develop team work skills. Reach over 250 teens a year with positive
health messages. Most PHE’s move on to college. Most PHE’s are able to sustain employment
outside of RHI, because of their experience. Many PHE’s continue to work in the Red
Hook community.
RED HOOK INITIATIVE767 HICKS STREETBROOKLYN, NY 11231
718-858-6782 PHONE718-852-4984 FAX
Red Hook Initiative