building more than just boats
2017 highlights
people
100% of our 2017 seniors completed high school
Nearly all of our high school graduates started college, joining the 92% who have enrolled or received a degree or certificate in the past six years
10 graduating seniors and 23 alumni received $150,000 in Rocking the Boat-sponsored college scholarships
1,754 youth participated in environmental science projects offered as Public Programs to local elementary, middle, and high schools and community-based organizations
More than 20 students received weekly, one-on-one academic support from Rocking the Boat volunteer tutors
projects
Rocking the Boat raised $1.1 million and bought its Hunts Point building
Another $1.2 million was raised to insulate the building and make it more energy efficient
We launched our 50th student-built boat
Environmental Science students collected data on Bronx River water quality, eels, birds, and oysters, and responded to immediate needs including reporting a lost dolphin and rescuing an injured seagull
High school apprentices led five weeks of Sailing Camp for middle schoolers
Rocking the Boat hosted two of the seven international teams currently competing in the Volvo Ocean Race around the world sailing event
building more than just boats
2017 highlights
people
100% of our 2017 seniors completed high school
Nearly all of our high school graduates started college, joining the 92% who have enrolled or received a degree or certificate in the past six years
10 graduating seniors and 23 alumni received $150,000 in Rocking the Boat-sponsored college scholarships
1,754 youth participated in environmental science projects offered as Public Programs to local elementary, middle, and high schools and community-based organizations
More than 20 students received weekly, one-on-one academic support from Rocking the Boat volunteer tutors
projects
Rocking the Boat raised $1.1 million and bought its Hunts Point building
Another $1.2 million was raised to insulate the building and make it more energy efficient
We launched our 50th student-built boat
Environmental Science students collected data on Bronx River water quality, eels, birds, and oysters, and responded to immediate needs including reporting a lost dolphin and rescuing an injured seagull
High school apprentices led five weeks of Sailing Camp for middle schoolers
Rocking the Boat hosted two of the seven international teams currently competing in the Volvo Ocean Race around the world sailing event
“I’d like to think that I found my way to Rocking the Boat for a reason, and that reason was to help me through some dark days and also share in my brightest ones. It is good to float on the water alone and be peaceful. But I also know that I have a very strong support system waiting for me back on shore.”
- Tiffany, Environmental Science Program alumna
Even those who have followed Rocking the Boat for years as fans of our dynamic water-and boat-based programs are sometimes surprised to learn that one quarter of our staff are licensed social workers who complement our hands-on activities with intensive social/emotional and academic support, and comprehensive college guidance.
Some days our social workers might meet with a school guidance counselor on a struggling student’s next academic move; refer a student who is overcome by anxiety or depression to counseling; or accompany a student to a court hearing and connect him to legal support. Other days they will attend the graduation a student feared might never come; or celebrate the receipt of that most anticipated email from a first choice college. But day in, day out, in conversation over a snack in the kitchen…or in the shop while working on a boat…sitting on a sailboat in light wind at the mouth of the river…or in the library conducting a mock interview in preparation for the real thing, Rocking the Boat social workers are an essential ingredient in our work to change kids’ lives.
“I’d like to think that I found my way to Rocking the Boat for a reason, and that reason was to help me through some dark days and also share in my brightest ones. It is good to float on the water alone and be peaceful. But I also know that I have a very strong support system waiting for me back on shore.”
- Tiffany, Environmental Science Program alumna
Even those who have followed Rocking the Boat for years as fans of our dynamic water-and boat-based programs are sometimes surprised to learn that one quarter of our staff are licensed social workers who complement our hands-on activities with intensive social/emotional and academic support, and comprehensive college guidance.
Some days our social workers might meet with a school guidance counselor on a struggling student’s next academic move; refer a student who is overcome by anxiety or depression to counseling; or accompany a student to a court hearing and connect him to legal support. Other days they will attend the graduation a student feared might never come; or celebrate the receipt of that most anticipated email from a first choice college. But day in, day out, in conversation over a snack in the kitchen…or in the shop while working on a boat…sitting on a sailboat in light wind at the mouth of the river…or in the library conducting a mock interview in preparation for the real thing, Rocking the Boat social workers are an essential ingredient in our work to change kids’ lives.
