Fortune Society’s Seventh Annual Victor Rojas Block Party honors community ‘inspiration’

The Fortune Society will host its seventh annual Victor Rojas Block Party on August 22, bringing families, alumni, and local partners together at its Castle Gardens residence in Harlem (625 W. 140th St. between Broadway and Riverside Drive) in honor of a community hero and friend. The event takes place from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.

The daylong event is free and open to the public, and will feature food, games, school supply giveaways, and a new fresh produce distribution to address food insecurity in the neighborhood.

The block party honors Victor Rojas, a Fortune participant who became a counselor with the nonprofit before his death in 2018 at age 52.

Rojas first lived at Castle Gardens, a transitional housing resource for people exiting the criminal justice system, as a participant in the Fortune program and eventually became a full-time counselor there on its Family Services team. While there, he became an important part of its mission to help people with a history of criminal justice issues transition toward better lives. Rojas moved into Fortune’s permanent residence at Castle Gardens and took on further responsibilities with the organization.

“The annual block party in his name is not only a celebration of his life, but also a testament to the power of community, belonging, and hope,” said Rob DeLeon, deputy CEO of the Fortune Society in a statement shared with the AmNews. “At Fortune, we are proud to honor Victor’s legacy by creating joyful spaces where families, neighbors, and partners can come together to lift each other up. For his son and family, we hope [the event] is a reminder of how deeply Victor touched the lives of others, and how his legacy continues to bring people together.”

Since its launch seven years ago, the block party has grown steadily in popularity, with more community members joining alongside Castle residents and alumni of Fortune’s scattered-site housing program.

The event previously featured performances from Fortune’s Creative Arts program, although this year’s focus will remain on community resources. Local partners supporting the event include the Hope Center, Democracy Prep, ICL, and Hudson Harvest.

Organizers say the gathering is more than a seasonal tradition: It creates a space for families and individuals with justice involvement to spend time together without the stigma of past mistakes.

Founded in 1967, the Fortune Society has become nationally recognized for its services to people with criminal justice histories, ranging from housing and education to job training and substance abuse treatment. The block party, staffers say, is one of the most visible ways the nonprofit’s mission is celebrated each year. “Victor embodied the very best of Fortune: resilience, compassion, and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance,” DeLeon said. “He came to us seeking support and, through his determination, became a pillar of our community and an inspiration to so many.” For more information, visit fortunesociety.org.