Photo: WBZ NewsRadio/ Carl Stevens
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — The non-profit group called 'Roca' provided Massachusetts lawmakers on Tuesday with an update on its program that is supporting struggling young women in the state.
Roca is one of the only organizations in the country that works with young women, mostly mothers, who have been victimized by acute trauma.
Roca believes the cycle of trauma can be prevented from being passed on to children by stabilizing the mother.
Roca's Sunindiya Bhalla says the Massachusetts pilot program so far has helped more than 300 women. "It's been a tremendous opportunity for us to elevate a group of really vulnerable young women who have experienced violence, who have experienced instability, and are involved with systems like DCF and probation, and what it takes for them to succeed."
Among the information lawmakers were provided, the women in Massachusetts being supported by the Roca pilot program have experienced declines in depression, PTSD, and domestic violence.
Ultimately, Roca's goal is to help young mothers and their children live healthy, productive lives.
WBZ NewsRadio's Carl Stevens (@CarlWBZ) reports.