Robinson Greig: Advocating for Fresh Food in Boston

Class of 2015 Ambassador Robinson Greig

Inaugural ambassador Robinson Greig (RHHS ‘09) has found several ways to get involved in Boston since studying Mechanical Engineering at Northeastern University. When he first joined the Foundation, Robinson advocated for Resilient Coders, a group that works to “spread code literacy to communities traditionally underrepresented in technology,” and believes “in social justice through economic empowerment.”

For the past three years, Robinson has advocated on behalf of Fresh Truck, a group that provides mobile healthy food markets to those who need it most in the Greater Boston Area. He says, “Working with the foundation has encouraged me to get more involved with these organizations. I'm always looking out for more ways to help Fresh Truck continue to grow; whether that means connecting them with advisors and sponsors, volunteering at their events, or batting ideas back and forth with their team.” This year, the foundation provided a $5,000 grant to Fresh Truck’s new program, Fresh Connect, which, “makes it possible for healthcare providers and other organizations invested in the health of communities to prescribe food as medicine.” The program has gone through a successful pilot version, and the Foundation’s grant will enable FreshConnect to enroll an additional 60 senior households.

Robinson is currently a graduate student at Harvard Business School.

Welcoming 2019 as We Reflect on 2018

We wish everyone a warm welcome into 2019!

This past year has brought us much joy and growth- from accepting a new ambassador class, to meeting our Twenty-five Grant Initiative with 10 local Red Hook grants and 15 grants through our ambassador network, to increasing our total charitable giving to $165,000 total (see short explanations of all the grants here) - and we're excited to see what this year holds. We thank you all for being a part of a successful year.

Throughout 2018 we were able to foster stronger bonds with organizations we have been working with for several years now, as well as begin some new partnerships. We're constantly amazed and uplifted by the volunteer work being done in Red Hook and across the country by our ambassadors. It keeps us going!

Our year-end celebration took place at The Elmendorph Inn in Red Hook on Dec. 23rd, a brunch of some 25 ambassadors and directors. Everyone gathered with a thankful spirit for our common Red Hook bonds and passion to provide opportunities for those in need. We took the opportunity to introduce our new Ambassador Class of 2019, as well. They are: Tessa Rothwell (RHHS '19), Emily Appenzeller (RHHS '18), Elizabeth Ricci (RHHS '15), Erica Mansfield (RHHS '14), Iana Robitaille (RHHS '11), Fatima Ismail (RHHS '11), and Rohan Parikh (RHHS '05). 

We welcome the challenges of 2019 from maintaining communications with an ever expanding pool of ambassadors to our local outreach in developing long range goals. Best Wishes in your outlook, as well!

Ali, Brittany, Nick, Barbara, & Sophie 

Your AFF Directors

25 Grant Initiative Update

12 Grants Funded so far!

Did you know about our twenty-five grant initiative? This year, one of the goals of the foundation is to fund twenty-five grants before the end of the grant cycle. As of today, the foundation has funded twelve of these grants!

The grants have been provided through local grant partnerships here in the Red Hook area, as well as through our ambassador networks across the country. Our grant cycle continues over the holiday season, so stay tuned for more updates in the coming weeks.

Here are the programs we provided funding to so far:

• Backpack Program

• Crossroads Family Center via Ambassador Micaela Ryan

• Culture Connect

• Garden Club Classroom

• RH Student Council trip to NYS Leadership Conference

• Red Hook Public Library “Red Hook Grows Up” summer production

• Susie Reizod Foundation in Kingston

• Circle Camp at Fleur de Lis via Ambassador Betsy Kirtland

• SAM Camp at Oakwood Friends School via Ambassador Megan Sanger

• Sunflower Bakery via Ambassador Tom Treibwasser

• Emmanuel Cancer Foundation via Ambassador Mia Michaelides

• Griffin School Partnerships via Ambassador Lauren Marici

If you or or someone you know is working near the greater Red Hook Community on projects related to programs that support elder care needs, educational pursuits for the underserved, or poverty alleviation, we encourage you to apply for funding! Click the link below for an application and email us at ascienzofamilyfoundation@gmail.com with any questions!

Giving Tuesday 2018- Nourish Your Neighbor

Giving Tuesday is almost upon us, but we have more work to do before then! This year two of our ambassadors have been hard at work on our Nourish Your Neighbor (NYN) campaign, trying to create a healthier food drive for the community. We kicked NYN off with a No-Cost Farmer’s Market on Nov. 10th, and will be collecting items for the food drive until Nov. 27th. For every item donated, we will match with $1. The goal is 10,000 items and $10,000, and we can’t do it without all of you!

Last year we ran a similar matching campaign, and members of the Red Hook community donated over 5,500 non-perishable items, with the AFF donating $3,250 to the RHFA to support local families during the holiday season. We hope to be able to provide more items and food vouchers this season, and donate healthier items as well!