Rise Upon The Light sheds light on the housing shortage and housing insecurity in Far Rockaway, Queens. Shaniyah Rivers, an artist and scholar from Humanities IV New Visions Charter High School, has choreographed a contemporary dance performance captured in a video that documents the brings awareness to the housing crisis that has afflicted so many residents of NYC.

Driven by a deep passion, Shaniyah Rivers uses her skills and creativity to highlight the housing crisis. Her involvement with the Redfern Corner Community Center as a camper allowed her to gain valuable experience assisting the unhoused in Manhattan, New York City. Growing up in Queens, New York, she realized her privilege and made it her mission to make a positive impact on the lives of those without homes.

This collaborative initiative is in partnership with the United Methodist Center in Far Rockaway, a longstanding soup kitchen and food pantry that has been a vital support system for the community for over 40 years.

Established in 1982, the United Methodist Center in Far Rockaway, also known as the Mission, was founded to aid the residents of the peninsula. It remains a valuable resource for those suffering from food insecurity in Queens, serving an average of 22,000 people annually and distributing around 5,000 pantry bags each year.

The center offers daily hot meals from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM and an evening meal from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. The Food Pantry operates on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM, providing grocery bags filled with donated food items. Emergency food assistance is available at any time with a referral letter from an agency.

This fundraising campaign aims to generate awareness and financial support for the United Methodist Center in Far Rockaway, which plays a substantial role in assisting the homeless population.

Rise Upon the Light Outreach

By United Methodist City Society

Rise Upon the Light Outreach