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Date: 11/9/2022
SPRINGFIELD – Operating across three states, Roca works as an entity dedicated to improving adolescent lives by engaging with young adults, law enforcement and systems at the center of urban communities. New Director of Roca Western Massachusetts Solomon Baymon highlighted Roca’s impacts during an Oct. 24 open house at their 29 School St. location.
Between Roca’s Springfield location and their 384 High St. offices in Holyoke, Roca continues to leave an impact in Western Massachusetts. So far this year, the two locations have served 464 young men and mothers, making 70 percent measurable improvements in behavioral health for participants. Roca stresses mental health advocacy through cognitive behavioral theory (CBT) – an approach that aims to heal trauma and disrupt negative cycles from participants’ past.
Roca’s Western Massachusetts locations featured nine out of 10 young men who participated in the program with a history of arrests. Since joining the program, 88 percent of the male participants have not incurred additional arrests. Roca also touts its ability to aid young adults in solidifying a place in society, with 79 percent of their Western Massachusetts participants retaining employment for over three months while in Roca’s programs.
Additionally, Roca helps assist young mothers who are navigating through different obstacles in their adjustment to adulthood.
The event included an array of community leaders and representatives of local law enforcement. District Attorney Anthony Gulluni, Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, Springfield Police Superintendent Cheryl Clapprood, Ward 3 City Councilor Melvin Edwards, state Sen. Adam Gomez, state Rep. Jacob Oliveira, state Rep. Bud Williams and state Rep. Carlos Gonzalez.
Speaking on his journey toward Roca Western Massachusetts leadership, Baymon said he previously served in correctional facilities in Connecticut, working for nine years as a deputy warden. He also worked with intercity youths through a variety of sports programs.
Since joining Roca this year, Baymon said he has been “blessed” embracing a new opportunity.
“The experience, working around these young people, working with an amazing group of staff … it’s been a blessing,” said Baymon.
Baymon also thanked his staff, who works with young adults across various Western Massachusetts communities.
“I’m just a vessel to deliver the message. The staff does the day-to-day. They are out there [on the] front line working with these young people. I can’t do it without them,” said Baymon.
Gulluni championed Roca as a beneficial partner to the community. He said he and Roca collaborate on the Emerging Adult Court of Hope (EACH) program, which provides high-risk young adults opportunities to stay out of prison.
“[EACH] would be absolutely impossible without Roca … they are doing work that no one else can or is doing in Western Massachusetts, there’s no question about it. They’ve brought something to this community that otherwise isn’t available, and they do it with passion, love and respect,” said Gulluni.
Gulluni implored Roca for serving as an extension of the values the district attorney looks to establish in his role.
“This, we believe, is consistent with how we want to render criminal justice in Hampden County. We want to help young people make better choices. We want to help young people turn their lives around, and Roca is an absolutely instrumental part of that work,” said Gulluni.
In his remarks, Cocchi also applauded Roca for their impact on communities.
“I truly love Roca in what it stands for and what it strives to accomplish. It’s about meeting people where they are at and giving them the resources and opportunity for a better life. It is vitally important that we have Roca behind the laws at the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office,” said Cocchi.
Readers can learn more about Roca at https://rocainc.org/.