Rosie’s Confidence Corner celebrates grand opening of Ridge home base

A local organization has finally set up shop in one of the communities it has long served.

Rosie’s Confidence Corner, an organization that promotes personal and social awareness through advocacy, educated discussion and self-help resources, celebrated its grand opening at 278 87th Street earlier this month.

The storefront is the organization’s first and only formal location – one founder Rosemarie Rizzo hopes will only strengthen the impact of the Confidence Corner citywide.

“My journey began in 2012 when volunteers and I spent months in Staten Island and Breezy helping displaced families find comfort in what little they could salvage from Superstorm Sandy,” she said of a group that, back then, was called “We Relief.” “Gift cards, storage bins, contractor bags and gloves were some of the ‘gifts’ we furnished for those in need.”

From there, Rosie’s Confidence Corner – which has gone on to focus on self-awareness issues like bullying – was born.

Until now, Rosie’s Confidence Corner existed solely in its presence at awareness events throughout the five boroughs – from Bay Ridge and Staten Island to Manhattan and Queens – rounds, Rizzo said, the organization will continue to make.

“RCC brings positive morals and ethical values back into our communities,” Rizzo said, adding that her new home base will help foster the organization’s forums, discussions, prevention partnerships and then some. “Taglines like ‘No means no,’ ‘It’s kool to be kind’ and ‘If you see something or hear something, do something’ are just some of the teachings that brought Rosie’s Confidence Corner to 278 87th Street.”

The store, she explained, will offer goods and services to all communities “by promoting positive wellness and powerful teaching tools that teach and inform our communities all year long.”

Areas of focus include autism, anti-bullying, animal rescue, breast cancer awareness and gay pride, among others. Locally, Rosie’s Confidence Corner has participated in a wide array of events, from the Third and Fifth Avenue festivals to the 68th Precinct’s National Night Out Against Crime and more.

“Now I have rested my bones in one spot after more than 56 traveling events in four years,” she said, thanking all those who helped make the move possible, including four locals Rizzo called “Bay Ridge Amazings” – State Senator Marty Golden, John Quaglione, Chip Cafiero and Carol Bedrossian Fell.

Cafiero and Fell were honored by the organization at the opening for their commitment to the Confidence Corner. “Without them, RCC wouldn’t exist,” she said.

Rosie’s February hours are posted in the window, though, Rosie’s Confidence Corner prides itself on being “there for you, 365 days a year.”

“Stop by for a gift, a chat or just a hug,” Rizzo said.

To reach Rosie’s Confidence Corner, call 917-626-0304.

Leave a Reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.