SPRINGFIELD, MA (WGGB/WSHM) - Wednesday was an important day for several young women, beginning a new chapter in life after graduating from Roca Springfield.

But now, the community violence intervention program is at risk itself as grant funding for these programs across the country have been terminated by the Department of Justice.

It was an emotional day for these women. All of them working so hard to break generational cycles of poverty, violence and trauma.

“It’s a little emotional, but it’s like really exciting that you were able to complete one of your goals and stuff like that,” said Yvonne, a graduate of the Roca program

Yvonne, whose last name we will not reveal, tells Western Mass News she was in Roca Springfield’s program for high-risk young women for five years, beginning i

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