Our Story

HOPE Sheds Light (HSL) was started after Ron Rosetto lost his son, Marc A. Rosetto, 32, to a hard-fought battle against substance abuse and heroin experimentation on November 21, 2012. When the Rosetto Family was going through this very difficult time, they struggled to find the help they so desperately needed. Since the family and friends of those with addiction problems often feel isolated, ashamed, overwhelmed and hopeless, Ron, alongside friends Stephen Willis and Arvo Prima, whose sons also were battling addiction at the time, founded HSL. Shortly after, Stephen’s son, Mark Kyle Willis, 31, lost his battle with the disease of addiction on September 15, 2013. A few years later, Arvo’s son, Paavo Jaan Prima, 25, lost his fight with the disease on April 5, 2017.

Ron, Stephen and Arvo have since dedicated their lives to keeping their sons’ legacy alive by helping others find the courage to face addiction and find recovery so that other people’s sons and daughters might live. HSL believes there are many paths to recovery, but to be successful, one must have to want change and believe that change is possible.

In 2021, HSL acquired Recovery Advocates for the Shore (RAFTS), founded by Nicole Federici, to expand its recovery services throughout Ocean and Monmouth counties. Through this acquisition, HSL’s goal is to create a community where non-judgmental support is standard and multiple pathways to recovery are embraced. HSL will continue to expand its services to young people and families in recovery by offering programming that will engage adolescents and young parents to effectively end the generational cycle of addiction.