Increasing Rainproof Education and Community Stewardship
Bringing flood resilience to the South Bronx through hands-on horticulture, environmental literacy, and community-centered stewardship.
Increasing Rainproof Education and Community Stewardship extends The HOPE Program’s environmental literacy curriculum to include education dedicated to nature-based solutions for stormwater management, the city government’s current approach, and opportunities in ensuring climate-resilient communities, and creating access to knowledge and resources available to individuals as community members in doing the same.
The project also dedicates tangible efforts through the maintenance of DEP rain garden assets in the Soundview area of the South Bronx — facilitating the hands-on environmental projects and training that prepares participants with necessary skills for the workforce and contributes to the climate resiliency of the community served.
The project leverages HOPE’s long-standing Intervine program and employment social enterprise to equip participants with knowledge of sustainable rainproofing solutions — connecting workforce development directly to community climate resilience.
THE OUTCOMES
102 individuals reached through outreach. 60 community members engaged in workshops. ~12 environmental literacy workshops hosted. 14 rain gardens supported across the South Bronx. "We've been able to begin to identify key metrics to really measure the impact of these things and develop partnerships from folks throughout this cohort and the Rainproof community as a whole to expand and amplify the work that's happening.""
ON the ground
LOOKING AHEAD: What's next for SQREJC?
The environmental literacy workshops are being established as a standing best practice — not only offered at entry points of info sessions, but as a core access point, so that Rainproof knowledge reaches the community consistently and broadly.
The expansion into Queens represents a real next step — another climate-vulnerable community where this model can take root. The biggest focus from here is the metrics: how the data is being collected to show the impact, and who that data goes to.
Long-term, the project holds the commitment to increase the number of South Bronx residents that benefit from its positive environmental impact; increase career advancement opportunities for graduates through additional green training, certifications, internships, and hands-on field training; and increase the number of total green program participants by 50% over three years — financially empowering them and their families.
Want to get involved with the hope program?
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Stay connected with The HOPE Program’s work in the South Bronx and learn how to get involved.
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GET INVOLVED IN RAINPROOF NYC
We each have a role to play in Rainproof.
Rainproof NYC is where all stakeholders learn from each other and act collectively to tackle increasingly heavy rainfall and flash floods.The growing Rainproof NYC network brings together community groups, city officials, technical experts, policy advocates, private sector partners, educators, and more to understand and address flooding in NYC.
Ways you can get involved include:
- Stay updated on new pilot projects, events, and funding opportunities.
- Collaborate with the Rainproof NYC Network.
- Join a Rainproof Event.
- Learn from other cities in our Rainproof Series.
- Participate in or Pilot Rainproof NYC Projects.
- Share Rainproof Resources & Expertise.