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'I probably wouldn't even be alive': Roca celebrates expansion, violence reduction

'I probably wouldn't even be alive': Roca celebrates expansion, violence reduction
INTO THE SUMMER. HONESTLY, HONESTLY, IF IT WASN’T FOR ROCHA BEING SO CONSISTENT, I. I WOULDN’T BE HERE TODAY. I PROBABLY WOULDN’T EVEN BE ALIVE. COUNTY JONES IS ONE OF MANY BALTIMOREANS WHO’VE TURNED THEIR LIVES AROUND WITH THE HELP OF ROCHA. THE ORGANIZATION FOCUSES ON YOUNG MEN LIVING AT THE CENTER OF URBAN VIOLENCE, LONG CANNOT DO IT ALONE. WE NEED COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS ROCHA TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND MAKE THAT SAFETY STICK. IN MARCH 11TH, NEWS TOLD YOU ABOUT ROCHA, BALTIMORE’S REPORT ON ITS EFFORTS TO REDUCE CRIME, WHICH COMES AFTER FOUR YEARS OF GOING DOOR TO DOOR, OFFERING OPPORTUNITIES TO 17 TO 24 YEAR OLDS WHO’VE HAD RUN INS WITH THE LAW. THE REPORT CLAIMS FOR THAT AGE GROUP, THE CITY HAS SEEN A 16% LOWER ARREST RATE, A 7% REDUCTION IN HOMICIDES AND A 3% DROP IN NON-FATAL SHOOTING VICTIMS. THE HIGH NUMBERS ARE ACTUAL PEOPLE. THE REAL EVIDENCE IS IN THE CHANGE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO OTHERWISE WOULD BE VICTIMS AND OR PERPETRATORS. AND NOW THEY ARE ON A PATHWAY TO BECOMING PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS. NOW THEY’RE CELEBRATING THAT WORK AND THEIR NEW HOME IN MIDTOWN, BELVEDERE ROCHA RECENTLY EXPANDED FROM ONE FLOOR TO THIS ENTIRE BUILDING, OFFERING A SPACE FOR TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS TO FEEL SAFE. ROCHA UNDERSTANDS THAT IT ALL STARTS BY BUILDING TRUST IN RELATIONSHIPS THAT ALLOW YOUNG PEOPLE TO FEEL SAFE. YOU CAN’T DO NOTHING WITH THE YOUNG GUYS IF THEY DON’T FEEL SAFE AND YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT ROCHA’S EFFORTS AS WELL AS THAT REPORT THEY PUT OUT AT WBAL. TV.COM. FOR NOW LIVE IN
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'I probably wouldn't even be alive': Roca celebrates expansion, violence reduction
Roca, a Baltimore nonprofit that works to reduce violence on city streets, is working to expand as they ramp up for summer.They showcased their new home Wednesday night."Honestly, if it wasn't for Roca being so consistent, I wouldn't be here today. I probably wouldn't even be alive," said Quante Jones.Jones is one of many Baltimoreans who have turned their lives around with the help of Roca.The organization focuses on young men living at the center of urban violence."Law enforcement cannot do it alone. We need community-based organizations such as Roca to make our community safe and make that safety stick," said Erek Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.In March, 11 News told you about Roca Baltimore's report on its efforts to reduce crime, coming after four years of going door-to-door and offering opportunities to 17-to-24-year-olds who have had run-ins with the law.The report claims for that age group, the city has seen a 16% lower arrest rate, a 7% reduction in homicides and a 3% drop in non-fatal shooting victims."Behind numbers are actual people. The real evidence is in the changed lives of people who otherwise would be victims and/or perpetrators, and now they are on the pathway to becoming productive citizens," said police commissioner Michael Harrison.Now, they're celebrating that work and their new home in mid-town Belvedere. Roca recently expanded from a single floor to an entire building, offering a space for teens and young adults to feel safe."Roca understands that it all starts by building trusting relationships that allow young people to feel safe. You can't do nothing with these young guys if they don't feel safe," said Jeffrey Jones.You can learn about Roca and how to get involved on their website.

Roca, a Baltimore nonprofit that works to reduce violence on city streets, is working to expand as they ramp up for summer.

They showcased their new home Wednesday night.

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"Honestly, if it wasn't for Roca being so consistent, I wouldn't be here today. I probably wouldn't even be alive," said Quante Jones.

Jones is one of many Baltimoreans who have turned their lives around with the help of Roca.

The organization focuses on young men living at the center of urban violence.

"Law enforcement cannot do it alone. We need community-based organizations such as Roca to make our community safe and make that safety stick," said Erek Barron, U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland.

In March, 11 News told you about Roca Baltimore's report on its efforts to reduce crime, coming after four years of going door-to-door and offering opportunities to 17-to-24-year-olds who have had run-ins with the law.

The report claims for that age group, the city has seen a 16% lower arrest rate, a 7% reduction in homicides and a 3% drop in non-fatal shooting victims.

"Behind numbers are actual people. The real evidence is in the changed lives of people who otherwise would be victims and/or perpetrators, and now they are on the pathway to becoming productive citizens," said police commissioner Michael Harrison.

Now, they're celebrating that work and their new home in mid-town Belvedere. Roca recently expanded from a single floor to an entire building, offering a space for teens and young adults to feel safe.

"Roca understands that it all starts by building trusting relationships that allow young people to feel safe. You can't do nothing with these young guys if they don't feel safe," said Jeffrey Jones.

You can learn about Roca and how to get involved on their website.