Mr. Ocasio has been the Executive Director of La Casa de Don Pedro, Inc., a Newark, New Jersey community based development organization since 1998. Under Mr. Ocasio’s stewardship La Casa has experienced tremendous growth, while consolidating its social service programming, with development and advocacy activities in a targeted, comprehensive and integrated fashion.
Mr. Ocasio is actively involved in local, citywide and state initiatives. He is a founding and active member of Leadership Newark. In the housing and community development arena, Mr. Ocasio is president on the board of the NJ Housing and Community Development Network and an active member of the Newark Community Development Network. He has provided leadership on municipal issues related to City’s master plan, community planning, “community schools”. In addition, Mr. Ocasio is an advisory member of the Institute for Comprehensive Community Development.