ROCA is gaining recognition as a potential nationwide model for multi- cultural youth leadership, street, and gang intervention, programs. Its mission is to empower the highest-risk young people between 12 and 26 years old in Chelsea, Revere, East Boston and Lynn with training for leadership development in their own lives and in the life of the community.

Begun in 1988 as a teen pregnancy-prevention program, ROCA now serves more than 1,200 high-risk youths, and through its education programs reaches at least 30,000 others. It completed a successful capital campaign in 2002 to transform a 25,000 sq. ft. donated building into a fully-equipped youth and community center-gymnasium with stage, dance studio, arts center, multimedia computer lab, parenting classrooms with childcare space, classrooms, meeting rooms, offices, and room to grow in-all designed by the young people it serves.

ROCA's programs are run by a diverse group of 35 full-time and four part-time professionals and 19 youth staff members. Their philosophy stresses self-direction, honesty, and positive stewardship, always progressing to the next step of personal development for the community.

You will be proud of your contribution to this success story.