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.

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.

 

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2005

Rockaway Waterfront Alliance (RWA) founded

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2007

RWA hosts "Living Classroom” environmental science program in public schools

 

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2011

Rockaway Waterfront PLANYC Park officially opens

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2012

Superstorm Sandy devastates the Rockaways

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2015

“Project Underway” Transit Equity Initiative established

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2016

RISE Center opens to the public

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2017

Rockaways' first mixed-income CSA, RISE Farm Share, established

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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 photo

Jeanne DuPont

Founder and Executive Director

Juvie Anne Alfeche photo

Juvie Anne Alfeche

Public Programs Coordinator

Alana Danieu photo

Alana Danieu

Programs Manager

Marvin Lopez Acevedo photo

Marvin Lopez Acevedo

Youth Engagement Coordinator

Stephanie Castillo Samoy photo

Stephanie Castillo Samoy

Director of Operations & Communications

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