An organization committed to keeping young men out of the poverty-to-prison pipeline is expanding its presence in western Massachusetts.
Roca has opened a new office in Holyoke. It is being run as a satellite of Roca’s program in Springfield.
Christine Judd, Roca Springfield’s executive director called the Holyoke office a “game changer.”
" We are serving 40 young men and we have the capacity to serve 75 young men out of this site," said Judd.
Roca works with men between the ages of 17-24, who because of their involvement in crime or gangs are statistically likely to end up either in prison or dead.
For each Roca client, the program involves years of intensive outreach focused on life skills, changing behavior, and vocational training.
