Rocking the Boat Spring Benefit

Rocking the Boat is Celebrating 25 Years at its Spring Benefit, a cocktail party that brings program alumni and supporters together to enjoy live music, dancing, and a silent auction. City Winery's big, open space decorated with thousands of wood barrel staves and the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Hudson River teeming with boats keep all of Rocking the Boat's boatbuilding, sailing, and environmental science exploration work top of mind.

Ticket sales open on April 6

Monday, June 5, 2023
6:30-9:30pm
VIP pre-event 5:30-6:30pm

City Winery New York City
15th Street and Hudson River Park
New York City

Business attire

Become a Sponsor

Funds raised will support Rocking the Boat's signature Boatbuilding, Environmental Science, and Sailing youth development programs; wrap-around social work and college counseling; extended services for program alumni; and inspiring outdoor experiences for middle schoolers and the larger South Bronx community. Rocking the Boat has developed a reputation as one of the most extraordinary programs of its kind in the nation. Over 800 young people have participated in the Youth Development Program since its inception and many thousands more have experienced Rocking the Boat's broad reaching Public Programs.

Rocking the Boat is a 25-year-old nonprofit organization serving the young people and community members of the Bronx through transformative Youth Development and public programming. Situated on the banks of the Bronx River, youth and community members participate in educational activities rooted in creating the means to access, enjoy, and conserve this extraordinary natural resource. At Rocking the Boat, wooden boatbuilding, sailing, and environmental research, restoration, and justice are powerful tools for technical and academic education, empowerment, and social/emotional development. Our staff, including wooden boatbuilders, sailors, environmental scientists, and licensed social workers, support participants through the processes of completing high school, identifying and applying to college or trade schools, and then navigating the many challenges that precede taking that next step.

• On time high school graduation rates in the area average 58%; for Rocking the Boat students it is 92%, and their immediate college enrollment rate (enrolling the first fall after high school graduation) averages 92% 
• Program spaces include a 2,500 square foot professional grade boatbuilding shop, fully equipped environmental laboratory, and a 25,000 square foot boatyard just steps from the Bronx River 
• 50% of Rocking the Boat alumni have received their bachelor's degrees within six years of high school graduation 

Learn more at rockingtheboat.org

25th Anniversary Challenge

Rocking the Boat is celebrating our first 25 years. To help mark this milestone and help us prepare for the next 25, our Board of Directors will match all Challenge gifts dollar for dollar, up to $50,000. Please participate and help us raise a total of $100,000 by the time the event on June 5 ends. If you are unable to attend the spring benefit but would still like to participate in the Challenge, please contact Talene Kelly at [email protected] and she will ensure that your gift is counted toward the match.