November 28, 2012 – Sky Ranch Foundation, a charitable organization established more than 50 years ago with generous gifts from companies and organizations associated with the beverage alcohol industry, announced today that it is making a $10,000 donation to the Red Hook Initiative (RHI) in support of the Initiative’s Hurricane Sandy relief work in the Red Hook (Brooklyn, NY) community.

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s devastation, the Red Hook Initiative transitioned rapidly from a youth development organization to the epicenter of relief work in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn.  Located across the street from the Red Hook Houses, Brooklyn’s largest public housing development, RHI continues to provide pro bono legal and medical care, hot meals, emergency supplies, mental health support, assistance with FEMA applications, and referrals for shelter to thousands of residents, of all ages, seven days a week since Hurricane Sandy hit.

“After learning about the Red Hook Initiative’s emergency transition from a youth support organization in a low-income area with high unemployment to a relief organization for those in the community affected by Hurricane Sandy’s devastation, the Sky Ranch Foundation Board of Directors didn’t hesitate to support RHI’s work,” said Ralph Aguera, President of the Sky Ranch Foundation.

Since 1961, Sky Ranch Foundation has identified and offered financial aid to organizations that, like the Red Hook Initiative, provide effective programs focused on improving the quality of help available to at-risk youth.  RHI offers comprehensive programming for middle school and high school students, and young adults.  These programs provide these young people with opportunities to develop skills and receive support in health, education, and employment, all while learning how to be engaged and active members of their own community.

“Our hearts, and those of the beverage alcohol industry, go out to those who have lost so much, and the families that are bravely dealing with the aftermath of this natural disaster,” said Aguera.  “Though the initial crisis has passed, many of those in this community have lost so much and have little to fall back on other than the staff and good work of the Red Hook Initiative.”