Rise Up Rochester Monthly Homicide Support Group Expands to Include Saturday Session
Rise Up Rochester is expanding its free monthly support group for grieving family members and friends suffering from the loss of loved ones to homicide. The monthly support group was designed to help the community find voice, access referrals, and create opportunities for advocacy. Continue Reading
2016 Photos Now Available!
Throughout the year, we’ve done several peace walks, prayer circles and our annual Peace Fest. Take a look at our photos at rocthepeace.org/photos to view images from throughout 2016 and more!
Nonviolence Organization Announces Theme for 2016 and Community Contest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Town Hall Meeting Aug 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Rochester Police Department uses its crime scene tape much more than the city’s surrounding suburbs. From the drive-by triple homicide at Rochester’s only Boys & Girls last week to the shooting of 24-year old on Portland Avenue last night, local residents are crying out for relief in what seems to be a city in torment. Continue Reading
Why Teens are ‘Off The Chain’ These Days
I think one of the problems we (both adults and teens) are not understanding is that these kids are intelligent, but their brains aren’t done growing yet. For example, the prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that inhibits impulse reactions and controls behavior, isn’t really fully developed until around age 25. Kids who have lived in/near the poverty line probably develop even slower. So a teenager is more likely to explode in a stressful situation. Continue Reading
Prayer Circle for Seven Shot in Boys & Girls Club Drive-By
ROC The Peace in conjunction with Rise Up Rochester will join area residents, community leaders and religious leader this morning to conduct a Prayer Circle– a vigil where we join hands in a circle of prayer to begin the healing of our community and the families involved. We will begin at 11:30 AM at the Boys & Girls Club at 500 Genesee St, Rochester, NY 14611.
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Event Photos Now Available!
Our biggest event yet, the 6th Annual Rise Up & ROC The Peace Fest was another successful event full of laughter, cheer and fun for the entire family. Please feel free to share a photo with your friends and followers! Continue Reading
Roc the Peace Fest raises awareness for victims of violence
People in Rochester gathered in Jones Square Park Saturday afternoon for the sixth annual ROC The Peace Fest.
Setting The Tone Radio LIVE presents “Village”
ROC the Peace founder Sirena Cotton sits down with Setting The Tone Radio™ LIVE to discuss this year’s July 18th event. She also addresses some pertinent issues facing the community. Cotton is joined in the discussion by fellow RTP volunteer and activist Carlos Quinones. He is a recording artist known by the monikers C-Lo Dubai and Upstate Original, from music collective H.E.X.X.
About Setting The Tone Radio
With thousands of listeners, STT Radio, known as “WSTT” aims to discuss national current events and local community issues alike. Visit settingthetoneradio.com for more information or to subscribe to weekly podcasts.
Annual ROC the Peace fest brings community together
Excerpt courtesy of the Democrat & Chronicle
Written by Carlos Quinones
Growing up as a western New York native in the mid-1980s, I felt an overwhelming sense of togetherness and belonging that at times now seems missing in Rochester, and in larger society as well.
With that in mind, the Roc the Peace fest — for the past five years — has become a key event for the community, drawing residents and groups from all economic walks and ethnicities, fostering goodwill and a commitment to nonviolence.
Designed to bring awareness and resources to victims of violence, Roc the Peace began in earnest in response to a mother, Sirena Cotton, losing two sons to street violence. Cotton saw the value in bringing together mutually invested community groups and leaders to address a larger common interest; a common need.