Roca Supports High-Risk Youth with Fundraising Breakfast and Ongoing Intervention Services

BOSTON, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- A leader in helping at-risk youth transition from violence and poverty to positive, self-sufficient lifestyles, Roca holds its 7th annual fundraising breakfast, "The Difficult Truth," on May 2 at the Seaport Boston Hotel. Anthony DiPaolo, CEO of the workwear and fashion retailer Work 'N Gear, co-chairs the event where more than 500 state policymakers, business and civic leaders will hear "the difficult truth" about criminal justice reform efforts.

Roca's mission is to reach out to and support young people in high-risk situations, many of whom have been left out of traditional social programming, delivering real opportunities for them to escape the streets and move their lives in a positive direction. To that end, Roca is working to engage the community through technologically driven initiatives that help raise further awareness of Roca and their mission.

"Reaching out to donors through technology and social media is a key focus for connecting with more community members this year," said DiPaolo. "We continue to focus on community connections and contributions, so we can serve more young adults in areas where Roca has established a presence."

During the event, Roca members will use "Squares" — devices that attach to smart phones in order to read and accept credit cards—to collect donations. In addition, a mobile donation website will make its debut at the event, and highlights of the breakfast, which features several notable speakers, will be broadcast on Twitter using the hashtag #DifficultTruth.

DiPaolo will speak at the event, as will Texas state representative Jerry Madden, a Texas Republican state lawmaker who has emerged as a national innovator on corrections reform. Also speaking will be Shannon Allen, producer/host of 'The Pre-Game Meal' on NECN.

Participants can join the event at www.rocainc.org/2012-breakfast-registration.php. Roca gratefully accepts donations for anyone who can't attend through www.rocainc.org or their mobile donation site http://give.rocainc.org. To help spread awareness, add Roca on Facebook at www.facebook.com/rocainc, and follow the organization on Twitter at www.twitter.com/roca1988.

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 toward self-sufficiency and live out of harm's way. For more information, please visit http://rocainc.org/index.php.

SOURCE Roca