RHAP has helped three of our oldest students apply to and get accepted to college: SUNY-Oneonta, SUNY-FIT and Kingsborough College. They are all continuing their studies in fine art and/or illustration.

RHAP has helped nine of our older students apply to and get accepted at prestigious high schools with special programs in the arts: two at Fiorello LaGuardia High School of the Arts, two at the High School of Art and Design and four at the Edward R. Murrow High School.

Students’ Success Stories

Lizbeth Vargas, eighth grade, PAVE Academy, 14 years old.

Lizbeth joined RHAP when she was 9 years old. She has been a consistent, joyful and diligent student (visual art, homework help and stress management workshops) for the past 5 years. This fall she prepared a portfolio with our help and she has been accepted at Laguardia Highschool of the Arts, which she will attend next year.

In her words:

“My mother found RHAP and decided it would be a great program for me. She knew I enjoyed drawing and creating things on my own. RHAP has made me progress and grow in drawing. Also, they have taught me sculpting, digital art, graphic art and painting. These things I had no experience of but I enjoy the task of new projects I have never come across. Some of these projects were: abstract art, cutting out shapes and putting them together to make something you have seen before, and drawing a self portrait but with the twist of using warm and cool colors only. Every project I grew more and more interested in and felt full excitement. All these challenges made me see art in a different perspective. Everyone is an artist: dancing, performance, ballet, writing, architecture, etc.

Experience and imagination all come together to create. I find that amazing. I finished my portfolio in the fall with the help of RHAP. I had to draw from observation and imagination, in gray scale and color. That was the expectation. I also had to work on speaking about the art I created. I’m a shy and quiet person when around a setting or situation I have never been before and I had to let my confidence and pride take over to show how I felt and feel about my creation. I’m still working on it to this day. On March 14 I got accepted to LaGuardia High School. It’s still crazy to me how much RHAP helped me get to this point. However, my art hobby will not stop here and I’m thinking to make my hobby also become part of my career. I want to be an illustrator and graphic designer. Art has always been my friend and always will be. I’m proud of myself for pushing myself to become better and I will stay in RHAP because of how helpful they are. Being there always made me feel comfortable and happy. I enjoy being with the leaders and they give me advice.”

Rosana Zapata, sixth grade, Brooklyn Collaborative Studies, 12 years old

Rosana joined RHAP when she was 10 years old. She has been a student (visual art and homework help) for the past 4 years.

In her words:

“Hi, I'm Rosana. I'm also 12 years old. I'm a part of a program called RHAP. It’s in Brooklyn. This program has art, homework help, and fun little small programs. It’s like an after-school. It has helped me in the past because I wanted to improve my art skills, and not only that but my skills on communication. I am a very shy girl even up to this day. Not only does it help me with my communication and art skills, it helps me with meeting new people. This helps me in present times. Now I'm good at communicating and I've gotten better at drawing. The things that inspire me to go to RHAP: my friends, they respect me in present times, and now I'm good at communicating and I've gotten better at drawing. RHAP and my RHAP friends respect me and not only that but they push me to chase my dreams. They 100% support me. And the teachers are the best, they respect you and support you in any decision you make. EVERYONE SUPPORTS EVERYBODY. That's my story about RHAP. Here I got the story.”

Aaliyah Ward, sixth grade, Summit Academy, 12 years old

Aaliyah joined RHAP when she was 9 years old. She has been a student (visual art, music, homework help and stress management) for the past 3 years. She struggled with a learning disability a great deal during her first two years. Her frustrations often made her angry and prone to shut down. This year, her third year at RHAP, Aaliyah has transformed into a happy, talkative and hard-working student.

In her words:

“RHAP has helped me with my academics because I always get the help I need. I always get help with my homework from the Tutors or one of the RHAP helpers that are there. They show me different ways to solve math problems. They help me with my reading and with whatever else I may need help with. Sometimes if I don't have homework I can still go to RHAP and hang out which I like. I love the art and music classes because it's something different and something that I didn't know I would really like. I got to write my own song and I get to do whatever type of artwork I want to do. I like my therapy with my Mom because we get to talk about whatever we want to and some stuff be funny which I like. I go to RHAP every day because it's a fun place to be and it's a way for me to get away sometimes. I love everyone at RHAP and all the kids that come.”

From Aaliyah’s mother, Katima Ward:

“I love being a RHAP parent and I appreciate everything that the whole team does for my daughter making sure she stays positive and just helping her open up more and really becoming a wonderful girl. This is the first program that I ever put my daughter in and you get a whole team that really cares for your kids and really want to see them succeed in everything that they do. I love the art classes and the music classes because they help my daughter to really feel great and proud of what she does. I love to take part in the different events that go on and the different Workshops they give to the parents. What I have found really fun is the therapy session with my daughter because she is so funny and I always find out something funny that may have happened in school or wherever. It's something that we do together and I like It. What else is so cool is sometimes my younger daughter is able to attend and take part in everything as well. Overall RHAP is just amazing and I recommend all kids go there.”

Tashawn Davis, clothing entrepreneur and fine artist, 19 years old

Tashawn was a RHAP student (art) for 9 years. With RHAP’s assistance he was accepted at and attended Edward R. Murrow High school. At the end of his high school years he was honored with one gold key for portfolio, and five gold keys, two silver keys and two honorable mentions for individual pieces in the regional level of Scholastic's Art and Writing Competition. In addition, he received four silver keys and two gold keys on the national level of the same competition - the most awards out of any winner!

He later went on to study at the Fashion Institute of Technology for one year. He has recently relocated to Los Angeles where he plans to develop his entrepreneurial skills and soon return to college.

In his words:

“My name is Tashawn Davis and I was the first student of RHAP. RHAP came about after volunteer (at the time) Deirdre Swords discovered me drawing in the 3rd grade. She began mentoring me and giving me lessons in drawing. After years of skill building and getting into an amazing art school, I can say RHAP has definitely helped me progress not only as a person but an artist. I would without a doubt recommend this program for anyone who's interested in becoming an artist.”

A short Biography of Tashawn written by RHAP Board member Jehanne Henry:

The story of Tashawn Davis, aka Whaffles, is also the story of the Red Hook Art Project, the group he helped to create.

For as long as he can remember, Tashawn Davis, now 19, loved to draw. He would spend hours sketching cartoon characters. But without help, he wonders if he would have made it this far.

Call it fate or dumb luck, but when he was in the third grade, Davis met art teacher and collaborator Deirdre Swords, a Red Hook painter who volunteered two mornings a week to teach kids at the PS27 school in Red Hook.

Davis and Swords hit it off and began meeting up to draw on the weekends. After a few months, they decided to start up an after school program for kids who liked art. A couple years later, the group, still going strong, decided to name themselves the Red Hook Art Project, and RHAP was born. “I remember making the logo. I think was in fourth or fifth grade,” he recalls.

After that, Swords found more adult volunteers and in 2014, Davis’ mother Tiffiney began helping to manage the program. In just a couple of years, the group expanded into what is now a vibrant non-profit that nurtures both the artistic skills of kids and the volunteerism of adults. It is a winning combination, if Davis’ experience is any indication.

Swords and RHAP volunteers helped Davis get into the Edward R. Murrow High School, which specializes in the arts. “It was a place for creative people. I loved that school,” Davis recalls. During those years, Davis continued to be involved in RHAP, volunteer teaching other students and helping his mother and Swords to manage the program.

The group taught him new skills, and gave him responsibilities. By the time he was 15, Davis says he was ready to start making his own name as an artist. Going by the name “Whaffles,” he started designing and selling his own branded T-shirts, using the silk-screening tools he learned at RHAP. “I started saving money, buying tee-shirts, then selling them online using Instagram,” he explains. “Instagram is a great way to share. I grew through it, showing my work to artists.”

By 17, Davis attracted the attention of surrealist Mark Ryden and rapper Tyler the Creator, striking up friendships with both. In January 2017, Davis took a bold step of moving to California where he hopes to tap into the art community and develop his skills. He hopes to work on murals, and eventually open a store that houses artworks, fashion, and music by young artists.

But Davis hasn’t lost enthusiasm for RHAP. He says being a founding member of the group – and staying involved in it through his teenage years – was one of the best things he did. “RHAP gave me a lot. It helped me find myself and not get into trouble. A lot of students will do so much better because of RHAP. I would love to have RHAPs all over the place.”

Helen Lingaard, seventh grade, New Voices Academy, 13 years old

Helen joined RHAP when she was 9 years old. She was a student (visual art, music, homework help and stress management) for 3 years. Two years ago, with help from her studies at RHAP, Helen was accepted to New Voices Academy, a middle school specializing in the arts. This year she moved from Red Hook and began a weekend program at the School At Lincoln Center. She is no longer able to study with us but she is carrying our past and present support with her wherever she goes.

In her words:

“Hi my name is Helen. I joined RHAP 3 years ago. RHAP is a good program for anyone that wants to show their creativity with their expression, feeling, imagination, and art. RHAP has helped me gain confidence in so many areas in my life. When you walk into RHAP you feel safe. All the volunteers listen to you without judging you. When you go through personal stuff you can always depend on the volunteers and Ms. Tiffiney’s help. We are all family.

Also this program has an anger management class that can help you with stress and with your behavior that you may be struggling with. Rhap has helped me with my academics in such a huge way by having homework help and volunteers being available on their personal time. I recommend this program to every human being. Art is life. Helen. That’s my story.”

Justin Ruffin, first-year student, Kingsborough College, 19 years old

Justin joined RHAP when he was 11 years old. He was a student (visual art) for 7 years. Prior to enrolling at Kingsborough College he was accepted at and attended the High School of Art and Design.

In his words:

“RHAP came to me in middle school when I was entering junior high. I was taught the basics of art and learned how to improve my art along with a group of my peers. RHAP is a family that is growing and helping artists achieve their goals. I am passionate about art and RHAP uses that to help us due to the fact our director had experience in what the art world is. While in this program it took us from doing unproductive things with our selves and helped us build on our passion. They helped us build our portfolios for high school auditions and even when it came time for college applications. RHAP is a growing family that keeps improving on its methods of helping kids become successful. They even added homework help and other programs like music and photography.”

Christiana Richardson, 7th grade, PAVE Academy, 13 years old

Christiana has been a RHAP student (visual art, homework help and stress management) for 3 years. Next year RHAP will assist her in applications to high schools.

In her grandmother’s words:

“Hi my name is Sandra. My granddaughters name is Christiana. Christiana is a student of the RHAP Program. Since she's been involved in the program, Christiana has improved a lot. Meaning she's come out of her shell. Christiana has always enjoyed art but now she's really involved and much more focused. The tutorial part of the program has really helped Christiana with her schooling. She was struggling with her work. She wasn't very open when it came to ELA because she's more of a mathematical girl. She had a lot of struggles with testing. The program has helped her in that area also.

What Ms. Tiffiney and Ms. Deirdre have done and the help of the kind tutors, whom volunteer from the kindness of their hearts, has been phenomenal. My child is so much better in all areas of her life. I know it might seem like as if I'm just saying things to promote RHAP but I'm not. I am a grandmother to many children, some my biological and some are neighbors and other children that I meet along the way. So I'm very protective over children and I have sent and recommended many people to RHAP because I have watched and have seen results. I've seen my own child blossom and I've watched some of the other children blossom as well.

Christiana trust them every day to help her with whatever she's going through in and out of school. She wants to go there instead of her after school program. I trust them with my child and my other family members. There have been times when my nieces and nephews and other grandchildren have come to visit and ask can they go with Christiana to her art program because they've had the experience of sitting in and they've enjoyed themselves. It's like a second home to us.

Christiana has definitely gotten better in expressing herself through her art work.

She's now starting to look into going into a high school for art. I know I'm proud to be a part of this phenomenal program and I'm happy that our inner city children have a place like this to go to. We need more and more of these programs because they really make a BIG DIFFERENCE.

HATS OFF TO YOU LADIES. I love you Ms. Tiffiney and Ms. Deirdre. Thank You for letting us into your Dreams.

And thank You Volunteers who takes the time out of your evenings and weekends to come and teach our children.

Blessings to you all

Sandra & Christiana”