BOSTON, April 27, 2012  /PRNewswire/ -- Helping more young people in the Boston area move towards self-sufficiency, Roca will host its 7th annual fundraising breakfast, "The Difficult Truth," on May 2 at the Seaport Boston Hotel. With nearly a quarter century of service to high-risk young people, Roca's intervention model is nationally recognized for its proven success and ability to change lives.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120427/NE96282)

The event, at 1 Seaport Lane, begins at 8 a.m. and will honor Gaspar Rodriguez, recipient of the 2012 Vichey Phoung Peace Award, which recognizes a Roca youth leader who has demonstrated substantial positive change in his or her own life and also serves as a role model to other young people.

"At Roca, we focus on truth, trust and transformation as we help to alter the life trajectories of very high-risk young people with the aim of violence reduction and giving youth a chance," said Angie Rodriguez, Director of External Relationships, Roca. "We are pleased to champion leaders for peace in our community and to work together with these leaders, innovators, politicians, business owners and others who are committed to the next generation."

The special event will feature Texas State Representative Jerry Madden, a leading voice in national corrections reform, in addition to special guests, including event co-chair Anthony DiPaolo, CEO of Work 'N Gear, a workwear and healthcare fashion retailer.

"Giving back to the community has always been an important focus for Work 'N Gear, and our work with Roca helps us bring that value to life," said DiPaolo. "Roca is an amazing organization with an incredible mission. We're proud to help support them as they continue to grow and expand their program."

Sponsors and donors can support Roca's four core values – independence, competency, generosity and belonging – by sponsoring one, two, four or eight tables of 10 at the breakfast. In addition, tax-deductible donations for anyone who can't attend the event can be made online at PayPal.

About Roca

Roca is a vision and values-led organization committed to serving the most disenfranchised and disengaged young people, ages 14-24, in the communities of Chelsea, Revere and East Boston, Massachusetts. Roca's mission is to promote justice through creating opportunities with young people to move towards self-sufficiency and live out of harm's way. For more information, please visit http://rocainc.org/index.php

SOURCE Roca