Rockaway Youth Task Force Inc

RAP (Rockaway Advocacy Program)

The Rockaway Advocacy Program, or RAP, provides youth in Rockaway with a more structured way to be involved in civic engagement. This program builds on the work of CORE to provide resources for politically conscious leaders to engage with their communities and local government around youth-developed campaigns. Through RAP, youth have the opportunity to develop concrete skills like outreach, networking, and public speaking.

The Rockaway Advocate magazine is a citizen journalism project of the Rockaway Youth Task Force that allows RYTF membership the opportunity to engage seriously with the media. Often, the stories of youth and communities of color are marginalized or ignored in mainstream media. The Rockaway Advocate serves as both a platform for our advocacy work as well as pathway for youth of color in Rockaway to take back their own narrative in the media while gaining concrete, transferable skills. The Rockaway Advocate exists in two parts. The first part is the RYTF Blog, which gives RYTF a chance to add to media commentary on current events and related topics as an organization. The second part is the Rockaway Advocate, an online magazine written by RYTF youth with the support of RYTF staff. Both projects serve to give members a platform to dissect and share information in our community.

Urban Farming

Our Urban Farming Program gives RYTF members the opportunity to grow healthy, organic produce for themselves, their families, and their community. Through volunteering on our half-acre Urban Farm, youth gain firsthand knowledge of environmentally-conscious and sustainable urban farming practices and healthy eating habits. Through running our weekly Farm Stand during the summer and fall, RYTF youth learn entrepreneurial skills like customer service, inventory, and conducting financial transactions.