Hunts Point Tutors

About Hunts Point

Hunts Point, in the Bronx, is a neighborhood that has had its troubles over the years, from high dropout rates, high crime rates, drug use, and high levels of poverty. As a result, dozens of charitable organizations and outreach programs have funneled their efforts to this community. Slowly but surely, the depressed state of Hunts Point is changing, thanks to the work put forth by volunteers and social workers who devote countless hours to helping residents get on their feet again.

One such organization takes a unique approach to working with the enclave’s youth populations; Rocking the Boat is a program that, according to their mission statement, “empowers young people from the South Bronx to develop the self-confidence to set ambitious goals and gain the skills necessary to achieve them.” How is this important work accomplished? Students learn to build boats, row and sail, and restore local waterways under the tutelage of experts who volunteer for the organization. By teaching adolescents these skills, Rocking the Boat positively contributes to the community and allows students to improve their lot in life.

Studies show that students drop out of high school for a variety of reasons, but one of the most significant factors is what happens outside of the classroom. Home life, community, and peer groups play important determining roles in the stability of a students’ life—Rocking the Boat provides support and encouragement for students to stay enrolled in school, and go on to enroll in college or technical school to further their education. Emphasis on STEM fields, of course, is part and parcel of the vision of Rocking the Boat. While enrolled in the program, youngsters learn the technical skills necessary to handle a boat in the water and maintain it while on shore, but also how to apply hands-on skills to STEM principles of engineering, physics, calculations, and data analysis.

Rocking the Boast offers classes, camps, and community experience with rowing and sailing for hundreds of participants each year. The time spent dedicated to honing nautical skills at Rocking the Boat translates to good use of extracurricular activities. This prevents many at-risk students from joining gangs, becoming victims of violence, drug use, and a host of other problems that pose very real threats to the well-being of youth today.

One could argue that the skills acquired by participants at Rocking the Boat are specific only to sailing—who is going to grow up to be a ship’s captain, after all? Rather than ask this question, perhaps the better one is to ask how these skills translate to other areas. The answer, of course, has to do with discipline. Rocking the Boat teaches the importance of discipline, focus, and a drive to succeed (or sink!). Similarly, Grade Potential tutors build these same skills in their clients, who very well may be participants in Rocking the Boat! With enough study time, patient guidance, and commitment to learning, students can develop crucial skills for academic success from tutors in Hunts Point.