Building Character from the Keel Up

Racial disparity, socio-economic status, and geography can all present substantial barriers to success. In the Hunts Point neighborhood of the Bronx only one third of students graduate high school. Over 90 percent of the participants in programs at Rocking the Boat, a youth development program on the Bronx River in the heart of Hunts Point, graduate high school. Additionally, 80 percent go onto to attend college. COVID-19 restrictions have added additional challenges to everyone at Rocking the Boat and in the larger community.

     Rocking the Boat is a multi-faceted, STEM-based program that provides “wrap-around” social services and uses boat building, sailing, and environmental science as tools of youth development. Over 200 students, and an impressive list of collaborators, are engaged in the program annually. The boat building program’s motto “Kids don’t just build boats, boats build kids” speaks volumes to the philosophy, actions, and aspirations of Rocking the Boat. The Boat Building Apprentice Program is an intensive program engaging students in all aspects of building a traditional wooden boat under the tutelage of mentors and with the support of social services.

     “These experiences are life changing for them… it is an opportunity for them to discover strengths within themselves and possibilities in the world around them they never knew existed.”, Adam Green, Rocking the Boat founder and Executive Director.

     We will meet, and get to know, three Boat Building Apprentices through a series of color photographs that will document a timeline and journey of personal growth and progress on building a traditional wood boat. In the process they are developing skills, gaining confidence and responsibility, emerging as integral members of a team, becoming leaders, gaining stewardship over something larger than themselves, and becoming adaptive and resilient in the face of the COVID-19 health crisis.