BATTLE AT THE BEACH
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Clipmode Connect Inc
Description: Battle at the Beaches become one of NYCs largest and highly anticipated inclusive annual skateboard events. Skaters of all ages, genders and levels come from all of NYC’s 5 boroughs and as far as Long Island and New Jersey to attend.
Date: 9/8/2024 |
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The 2024 Battle at the Beach took place on September 8th at Rockaway Beach, bringing together over 75 participants and more than 200 spectators on a warm, sunny day. This free, inclusive skateboarding event highlighted Clipmode’s commitment to fostering community and supporting local talent.
Set at the iconic Beach 92nd Street Skatepark, often called the "Venice Beach Skatepark of the East Coast," the event buzzed with energy. The day featured skateboarding competitions across various divisions, including men's, women's, kids’, and gender-neutral categories. Skaters competed for a cash prize, which added excitement and drew participants from across NYC and beyond.
Local vendors contributed to the vibrant atmosphere by selling T-shirts, skateboards, and other merchandise. Raffle giveaways, food stands, and live music further enhanced the experience for attendees, making it not only a competition but also a day of community celebration.
Battle at the Beach not only celebrated skateboarding but also strengthened the bonds within the Rockaway community.
Set at the iconic Beach 92nd Street Skatepark, often called the "Venice Beach Skatepark of the East Coast," the event buzzed with energy. The day featured skateboarding competitions across various divisions, including men's, women's, kids’, and gender-neutral categories. Skaters competed for a cash prize, which added excitement and drew participants from across NYC and beyond.
Local vendors contributed to the vibrant atmosphere by selling T-shirts, skateboards, and other merchandise. Raffle giveaways, food stands, and live music further enhanced the experience for attendees, making it not only a competition but also a day of community celebration.
Battle at the Beach not only celebrated skateboarding but also strengthened the bonds within the Rockaway community.
FUN N' FLIX: BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT
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The B.R.I.D.G.E. Family Enrichment Center | Ocean Bay CDC
Description: A fun-filled Back to School event that brings together youth and families from the community. This event, supported by over 25 community partners, offers games, music, free food, book bags, school supplies, and access to vital resources such as jobs, social, and health services.
Date: 8/31/2024 |
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The event offered a wide variety of activities that catered to all ages, fostering a sense of community and excitement. Attendees enjoyed games like Ring Toss and Balloon Popping, and the circus-themed atmosphere added to the lively energy with activities such as Balloon Twisting, Face Painting, Animal Show, and a Magic Show that delighted kids and adults alike. Cotton Candy and fresh Popcorn added to the carnival-like vibe, while DJ Petervibe provided the music to keep the energy high throughout the day. Additionally, free haircuts and food were offered to children, ensuring that every student was not only prepared for school with supplies but also with a fresh, confident look.
One of the most impactful aspects of the event was the distribution of over 200+ book bags filled with essential school supplies, ensuring that students were ready for the academic year ahead. These supplies, along with the other resources available at the event, helped ease the burdens of families and made it easier for them to focus on their educational and personal goals. Families also had the chance to access valuable information about job opportunities, social services, and health resources—services that are crucial to helping individuals and families thrive.
The event’s grand finale was a movie screening of Inside Out 2, chosen by the community through a voting process that allowed everyone to feel involved and connected to the event. The movie night provided a perfect, relaxed conclusion to a day full of action, fun, and connection.
One of the most impactful aspects of the event was the distribution of over 200+ book bags filled with essential school supplies, ensuring that students were ready for the academic year ahead. These supplies, along with the other resources available at the event, helped ease the burdens of families and made it easier for them to focus on their educational and personal goals. Families also had the chance to access valuable information about job opportunities, social services, and health resources—services that are crucial to helping individuals and families thrive.
The event’s grand finale was a movie screening of Inside Out 2, chosen by the community through a voting process that allowed everyone to feel involved and connected to the event. The movie night provided a perfect, relaxed conclusion to a day full of action, fun, and connection.
2ND ANNUAL MEET & GREET
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Rockaway's Neighbors Helping Neighbors Inc.
Description: The 2nd Annual Meet & Greet is meant to introduce the Nguzo Saba= The 7 Principles of Kwanzaa to the community by youth who participated in RNHN 6wk. Nguzo Saba Educational Program. The 12 youth who participated in the program will showcase what they learned as a way to entice their social network and attendees to participate in the winter cohort.
Date: 10/19/2024 |
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Leading up to the Meet & Greet event, eight summer youth employment workers engaged in the Nguzo Saba educational program - which is a rigorous cultural course that taught the seven principles of Kwanzaa and how they could be incorporated into ones daily life. The goal for the workers was to internalize the principles, illustrate how they would be used in everyday life, and to share with others at the Meet & Greet to entice their peers to join the 2nd Cohort.
Each week a different principle was dissected through interactive activities such as lecturing by a Kwanzaa historian, NAACP members, RISE staff and Resident Council Presidents of which written exercises followed each lecture. A personality assessment was done through one week of surveying community businesses and viewing a controversial documentary followed by discussions. Participants also identified local elected officials, learned about the structure of government/community, and about environmental justice to take part in the "Let us Breathe" campaign.
The Meet & Greet was so successful in introducing the Nguzo Saba program that 10 expressed interest in joining the 2nd Cohort and 8 new people joined the Rockaway Cultural & Arts Committee to assist with the planning for the end of the year Community Unity Cultural Celebration of Kwanzaa.
Each week a different principle was dissected through interactive activities such as lecturing by a Kwanzaa historian, NAACP members, RISE staff and Resident Council Presidents of which written exercises followed each lecture. A personality assessment was done through one week of surveying community businesses and viewing a controversial documentary followed by discussions. Participants also identified local elected officials, learned about the structure of government/community, and about environmental justice to take part in the "Let us Breathe" campaign.
The Meet & Greet was so successful in introducing the Nguzo Saba program that 10 expressed interest in joining the 2nd Cohort and 8 new people joined the Rockaway Cultural & Arts Committee to assist with the planning for the end of the year Community Unity Cultural Celebration of Kwanzaa.
RISE PROGRAMS
RISE (Rockaway Initiative for Sustainability and Equity)
Exercise Class: MasterFitness™ and Core on the Floor
Led by Ann Fosteris, our free exercise classes are held every Monday, welcoming participants of all ages and fitness levels. With around 20 community members joining each week, these classes have become a vital social hub where residents can gather, connect, and focus on their well-being. The program has grown since its inception, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for accessible fitness opportunities.
Farmer’s Market: Rockaway Market Street
RISE successfully hosted another season of Rockaway Market Street, the peninsula’s only outdoor farmer’s market. Open every Saturday from June 15th to October 12th, the market provided access to locally grown produce, food products, and handmade crafts, complete with live music to create a vibrant community atmosphere. To ensure accessibility, the market accepted EBT and SNAP cards, allowing residents across income levels to participate in and benefit from this resource.
CSA Program: RISE Farm Share
The RISE Farm Share is the only mixed-income, community-supported agriculture (CSA) serving the Rockaway peninsula. RISE offered an “affordable share” option at a 50% reduced price for low-income residents eligible for SNAP. “Affordable share” members made up 30% of the program, and RISE was able to offer them a payment plan, paying $15 per week at the time of pickup, instead of the typical upfront payment model of most CSAs, which ensures greater inclusion of individuals and families with limited financial resources.
Led by Ann Fosteris, our free exercise classes are held every Monday, welcoming participants of all ages and fitness levels. With around 20 community members joining each week, these classes have become a vital social hub where residents can gather, connect, and focus on their well-being. The program has grown since its inception, reflecting the community’s enthusiasm for accessible fitness opportunities.
Farmer’s Market: Rockaway Market Street
RISE successfully hosted another season of Rockaway Market Street, the peninsula’s only outdoor farmer’s market. Open every Saturday from June 15th to October 12th, the market provided access to locally grown produce, food products, and handmade crafts, complete with live music to create a vibrant community atmosphere. To ensure accessibility, the market accepted EBT and SNAP cards, allowing residents across income levels to participate in and benefit from this resource.
CSA Program: RISE Farm Share
The RISE Farm Share is the only mixed-income, community-supported agriculture (CSA) serving the Rockaway peninsula. RISE offered an “affordable share” option at a 50% reduced price for low-income residents eligible for SNAP. “Affordable share” members made up 30% of the program, and RISE was able to offer them a payment plan, paying $15 per week at the time of pickup, instead of the typical upfront payment model of most CSAs, which ensures greater inclusion of individuals and families with limited financial resources.
ROCKAWAY REFRESH
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Jamaica Bay-Rockaway Parks Conservancy (JBRPC)
Description: A weekly pop-up cleanup event that takes place in different communities along the Rockaway boardwalk every Monday of the summer
Date: 8/3/2024 |
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Rockaway Refresh is a new initiative launched by the JBRPC Education team and supported by additional JBRPC staff and community members. A series of nine Rockaway Refresh programs were completed on the boardwalk this summer. Every Monday, a team of volunteers spearheaded cleanups at key locations that require significant attention due to the accumulation of trash. These events also engage the Wetland Fellows, a workforce of development youth, in public-facing stewardship offering them the opportunity to directly engage with community members and demonstrate their dedication to maintaining our parks.
Over 1,500 pounds of debris was cleared from Rockaway Beach. The programs not only resulted in cleaner environments but have also fostered community engagement by encouraging visitors to participate in stewarding their local parklands.
The funding support allowed for the cost of the added work effort by the Wetland Fellows to be offset. In total, having 4 Wetlands Fellows work 4 additional hours each week for 9 weeks, resulted in an added cost of $3254 to JBRPC.
Over 1,500 pounds of debris was cleared from Rockaway Beach. The programs not only resulted in cleaner environments but have also fostered community engagement by encouraging visitors to participate in stewarding their local parklands.
The funding support allowed for the cost of the added work effort by the Wetland Fellows to be offset. In total, having 4 Wetlands Fellows work 4 additional hours each week for 9 weeks, resulted in an added cost of $3254 to JBRPC.
ROCKAWAY RALLY BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
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Clipmode Connect Inc.
Description: A community-driven event designed to bring together volleyball players of all skill levels for a day of friendly competition and fun. This tournament, which consists of teams of 6, aims to highlight the excitement and athleticism of beach volleyball, an often underrated sport that deserves more recognition. The tournament not only offers participants a chance to showcase their skills and compete for a grand cash prize but also fosters a sense of community and togetherness.
Date: 8/3/2024 |
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"The Rockaway Rally was notable for its diverse participation. People from all backgrounds came together to enjoy the tournament, reflecting the event’s success in fostering inclusivity and community spirit. The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing a strong desire for the Rockaway Rally to become an annual event."
