ROCC NYC (formerly known as Artists, Athletes, Activists), was formed as a 501(c)3 in 2018 as a response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and food insecurity in Manhattan’s Lower East Side (LES). In 2022, more than 200,000 migrants arrived in New York City, many arriving directly at the Port Authority Bus Terminal with limited resources, language access, or support networks. In response, ROCC NYC immediately launched a frontline resource center. What began as an emergency response evolved into a sustainable model of coordinated care. Since relocating to Hell’s Kitchen in April 2023, the resource center has become a trusted hub, assisting hundreds of new New Yorkers every week while staying true to its roots and continuing to serve the LES’s food-insecure population through its mobile food pantries.

A Community-Based Model That Works

ROCC NYC combines grassroots responsiveness with dedicated volunteers and strong institutional partnerships, including Legal Aid Society of New York, Lutheran Social Services, Coalition for the Homeless, NYLAG, NYIC, The Door, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and the Interfaith Center of New York. This collaborative model allows immigrants to access multiple essential services in one trusted location while maintaining low overhead and high impact.

Services Provided

Each week, individuals and families receive support, including:

● Housing and shelter referrals

● Legal immigration guidance and court accompaniment

● Detention and ICE check-in support

● ESL and school enrollment assistance

● Mental health and parenting support

● Health insurance and Medicaid navigation

● Food access, SNAP enrollment, and hot meals

● Fair Fares transit enrollment and IDNYC assistance

● Job Training and job placement referrals

● Youth programming, including a community fútbol program

Beyond services, ROCC NYC provides something equally essential: a safe, welcoming community where people feel supported throughout some of the most uncertain moments of their lives.