Why stop helping? One Mansfield resident’s mission to revitalize his community

MANSFIELD — When 19-year-old Joshua Mazzocco felt unsettled about the world around him, he chose action over complaint — and invited Mansfield to join him.

Mazzocco launched R.I.S.E. in February after deciding that feeling of unrest without doing something tangible to help wasn’t enough.

Turning unrest into action

“I felt that most of my unrest was unjustified without action,” Mazzocco said. “So I got involved and encouraged others to help with me.”

R.I.S.E. stands for Revitalizing Individuals, Streets and Environments. He added he built R.I.S.E on the belief that small, consistent acts of giving can reshape a community over time.

Mansfield and its people have shaped me into the person I am today.

Joshua Mazzocco

From the beginning, Mazzocco wanted R.I.S.E. to work alongside local businesses. He said those partnerships help make community service visible, accessible and welcoming.

“Mansfield and its people shaped me into the person I am today,” he said. “So bringing people together and working to fulfill the obligation of giving back feels amazing.”

He teamed with Hamilton’s on Main (formally Two Cousins) and The 101 Tea Co. (formally 3rd Cup Tea), two businesses led by reliable people, he said.

“I worked under Nichole at the pizza shop all of high school,” Mazzocco said. “I’ve always wanted to make something happen with Braxton at 101 — we have frequent conversations over chess games.”

Being able to work with more local businesses and organizations is a goal for Mazzocco moving forward, he said.

Donation drives with no end date

R.I.S.E. currently operates two donation drives with no planned end. The donation drive at Hamilton’s on Main supports The Domestic Violence Shelter, while the donation drive at The 101 Tea Co. accepts general donations.

The drive at The 101 Tea Co. stands out for its “Bring Anything” approach. Instead of listing specific needs, the slogan promises every item will find a place where it can help.

“You can bring anything from canned food to sports equipment,” he said. “If you’re able, take five or 10 minutes and put it in the box.”

Mazzocco said the idea removes excuses while also challenging people to participate. He sees it as an invitation to look around, choose what you can give and make the effort to drop it off.

He said he hopes the drives inspire people to give back to the community that shaped them. Even small donations and increased awareness, he said, can create lasting momentum.

“Donations of any size contribute to a snowball effect that can only benefit our community,” he said.

Mazzocco said including The Domestic Violence Shelter mattered deeply to him. He described the organization as both impactful and direct in its support of people in crisis.

“They do great work in the community and directly help those in need,” he said. “Those are two aspects I greatly respect.”

Join the effort to give back

Both donation drives run indefinitely — a decision Mazzocco said felt obvious. Adding he sees no reason to put a time limit on helping people.

“Why stop helping?” he said.

Mazzocco said the most rewarding part of this work has been seeing people directly benefit from it.

Community members can drop off donations at Hamilton’s on Main, 103 North Main Street, or The 101 Tea Co., 101 North Main Street. Mazzocco encourages anyone reading to skip hesitation and take action.

“Anything else would be a waste of words,” he said. “Get out there and get involved.”

(More flyers for R.I.S.E. Mansfield. Provided by Joshua Mazzocco)