Red Hook Seniors Honored Through Powerful Photo Exhibit

The Redemption Through Photography program hosted a photo exhibit at the Red Hook Senior Center on Tuesday, spotlighting older residents of Red Hook Houses through a series of close-up portraits.

The program began inside Rikers Island, where correction officer Nishaun McCall introduced photography as a way for incarcerated people to build discipline, reflect and develop a new sense of perspective. It has since expanded into Red Hook, where it now operates as a prevention-focused initiative centered on creativity, connection and self-expression.

“I think it’s important we give you your flowers because oftentimes people speak over you when you are laying down, but I want to salute you now,” McCall said. “It was you who made us who we are.”

One of the featured participants was a senior born in the 1930s, offering a glimpse into decades of neighborhood history.

The exhibit brought together residents, families and community members in a space that felt part gallery, part celebration. Portraits of seniors lined the room and were later distributed to those featured, turning the event into a moment of recognition for longtime residents.

Several people who have contributed to the senior center over the years received proclamations and citations during the gathering. Council Member Alexa Avilés attended, along with representatives from the public advocate’s office.

“We are celebrating your gifts and sacrifices that have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated,” Lisette Sosa-Dickson, executive director of the Spanish-Speaking Elderly Council–RAICES, said. “We are thankful for you.”

The event focused on honoring older adults while they are present to receive that recognition. Organizers framed the exhibit as a way to acknowledge the role seniors have played in shaping the neighborhood and to ensure their stories remain visible.

Through photography, the program continues to create space for reflection and connection across generations, using images to document lived experiences and strengthen community ties in Red Hook.