Nate Peña started Pass Da R.O.C.K. in 1998 as a way to provide hope to his community. By inviting his friends to play basketball and share a meal, he realized the impact he could have on his urban community. 22 years later, Nate still leads the organization through new partnerships, bigger mentorship opportunities and the same change-driven mentality he’s always had. Nate is a graduate of The Eikenberg Institute for Relationships with a focus on Multi-Contextual Systemic Therapy with Angry, Aggressive, & Violent Youth. He also studied Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy through Cross Country Education. Nate is a former member of the  Violence Intervention & Prevention Program, The Trauma Response Team, & The Onondaga County Re-Entry Task Force.