Red Hook Farms
Dear Grace Church Family,
Grace Church Brooklyn Heights is committed to the Red Hook community! We have gradually engaged in ministry there to develop relationships and establish trust. We’re now ready to take our commitment to the next level by supporting Red Hook Farms — where Grace Church parishioners have already volunteered — in a more significant and sustainable way. Moreover, this will deepen the efforts of our volunteers to make a lasting impact.
Can You Help?
We want to know if you’re interested in regularly volunteering at Red Hook Farms once a month — for only 3 hours — on a designated Saturday. We’re seeking to establish a team of 10-20 volunteers who will help out for the remainder of the farm season, August – November and, when the time comes, next season, March – November 2022.
With a monthly designated day established for a Grace team, we can commit to funding the farm’s young employees, most of whom live in the surrounding Red Hook community, for that day. According to the Red Hook Initiative, last year 21 youth farm apprentices were hired, trained, and mentored. Together they worked 5,471 hours on the farm and earned $82,057.
Supporting Our Core Values
Our relationship with Red Hook Farms aligns perfectly with Grace’s Core Values. By contributing their time and talent, volunteers serve with compassion in a historically underserved community. Moreover, by supporting a sustainable agricultural enterprise that financially benefits the local community, we are working for social justice—and demonstrating love of both neighbor and Creation.
Two Ways To Help
Summer is here, so support of our Red Hook youth is needed more than ever! There are actually two ways to help:
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Can we count on you to volunteer, from August into the harvest season in November? If you can be a member of our team, or if you have other questions about this ministry, please e-mail parishioner Sarah Luke by July 15.
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You can also make a donation that will help pay the wages of these deserving youth. Grace has already set aside $1500 for the Red Hook Farms, and we would be so grateful if that could be matched through parishioner donations. You can do that easily via Realm, by selecting Red Hook Initiative in the dropdown menu.
With much gratitude,