Rockaway Waterfront Alliance (RWA) was one of the first to respond on the ground; serving homebound residents with hot meals, emergency food and clothing from Firehouse 59. Volunteers helped to deliver care packages of emergency supplies door-to- door to homes all along the peninsula and in public housing projects hit hardest by the storm.

There has been overwhelming support from hundreds of individuals and grassroots organizations who have assisted with volunteer efforts throughout the Rockaway Peninsula. RWA has played the role of both relief dispatch center and on-the-ground recovery partner since the storm, and is working hard to ensure that we best utilize support from a network of grassroots organizations, businesses, government agencies and individuals to the areas that need it most. We call it The Re: Rockaway Project and see it making a difference in the following ways:

Revive:  Support immediate and daily relief efforts in local neighborhoods. Help to organize and direct private sector and relief organizations to help homeowners and businesses clear a path for their clean-up and rebuilding process; assist with shoreline protection such as dune plantings and stewardship efforts to assist in protecting the Rockaways from future storm surges and coastal storms. 

Rebuild: Help the local community look forward to re-envision the future of the Rockaways through planning and rebuilding efforts. To establish a fully- operational community center, RISE, to create a collaborative space that will provide insight into environmental concerns in the region and make Rockaway a more vibrant community through arts, cultural programs, and environmental stewardship. 

Renew: Bring new energy and thinking to the community through education and awareness programs that connect local schools, businesses and organizations interested in having a positive impact. These efforts will provide the Rockaway community with free lectures, workshops, environmental programs, and student scholarships.