Pasco A. Manzo

Chief Executive Officer

Pasco A. Manzo was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Adult & Teen Challenge New England and New Jersey, Inc. in January 2014. His diverse skills, inspiring passion, and resilient work ethic has completely transformed the organization.

Notably, instituting its “resident first” policy powerfully elevated morale throughout every center, focusing on debt reduction resulted in debt freedom, relocating city centers provided more spacious and superior facilities, and developing and training leaders for success is building next generation heroes.

Pasco began vocational training programs, hired professional licensed counselors, and added a fifth phase to the long-term program offering residents five tracks; including college, career, ministry, or an ATC apprenticeship. Life Coaching and sober peer which keeps the resident connected are now routine additions. A clinical stabilization service short-term program was added which introduces clients to the option of the long-term program. Since he began his tenure, Pasco has given the sendoff garduation message at every graduation service.

A line of products was created, including: Changed Lives – Ten True Stories from Addiction to Freedom – a seven book collection, Coffee for Change, Tea Challenge, Papa Pasquale’s Sauce for Change, Biscuits for Change, Syrup for Change, and most distinguished – The Carpenter’s Shop handmade premium hardwood cutting, cheese, and charcuterie boards, pizza peels, rolling pins, etc. where sales have totaled over two million dollars.

Pasco custom designed, a new, stately, three-story headquarters building which was built debt free in Brockton, MA; ongoing renovations, additions, and new buildings are frequently added throughout our seven states.

Personally, Pasco’s studies earned him a Master of Arts in Christian Ministries distinguished with Summa Cum Laude and a Master’s of Divinity Equivalent from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He taught as an adjunct professor for over 12 years, authored two books: Urim and Thummin – Discovering the Will of God and Broken Flowers: A Commentary on the Tragedy of Sex Slavery in America, compiled several others, and contributed to other authors’ works.

It has been Pasco’s great honor to have ministered the love of Jesus Christ on every populated continent and to have traveled to over 55 countries – all the glory to God!

Contact by way of his executive assistant, Melissa Oliveira: moliveira@tcnewengland.org

Melissa Oliveira

Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer

After serving as a sales and marketing account executive for a number of years in the corporate world, Melissa chose to take her expertise and follow her heart into ministry work. She joined the Adult & Teen Challenge team in September 2015 as one of the assistants to the President. She is responsible for a wide-range of administrative functions under the President including scheduling, travel arrangements, various communications from the President’s office, and Director and Board meeting preparations. Melissa is also the Assistant Secretary for the Adult & Teen Challenge New England and New Jersey Board of Directors.

Melissa has served on the Adult & Teen Challenge Massachusetts Women’s Guild for several years, and loves hearing the testimonies of changed lives and aspires to help Adult & Teen Challenge end addiction. She enjoys spending her free time reading, crafting, and with her husband, daughter and three sons on various family adventures.

Contact via email: moliveira@tcnewengland.org

Oscar Cruz

Chief Operations Officer

Oscar Cruz serves as the Chief Operations Officer of Adult & Teen Challenge New England and New Jersey. Oscar has been involved with Adult & Teen Challenge ministries for over 14 years.  At one point, living a normal life was beyond his grasp, but through the power of Jesus Christ and the ministry of Adult & Teen Challenge, Oscar’s life was changed! Oscar was just 14 years old when his best friend, his dad, walked out the door.  He had said he would leave many times before and that day he never came back. It was then that Oscar found drugs.  By age 16, he was a full blown addict and by 18 years of age, he had a drug possession record and nothing more than a string of shattered dreams and relationships.

According to statistics, Oscar was not going to make it. In desperation, he cried out to God and sought help at Adult & Teen Challenge. While at Adult & Teen Challenge, he surrendered his life to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.  His life could have been considered beyond hope, but since coming to Adult & Teen Challenge, his life has been changed and his family has been restored from the devastation of addiction!

Oscar graduated from Southern California Teen Challenge Ministry Institute (TCMI) and completed his ministerial licensing studies from Global University. After graduating TCMI, Oscar served in inner-city missions at the Los Angeles Dream Center. Oscar previously worked in business as a licensed California Real Estate agent. Oscar’s life is now committed to serving the Lord and dedicated to the mission of Adult & Teen Challenge in New England. He finds great joy in seeing men set free from addiction. As Matthew 19:26 says, “With God all things are possible!”

Contact by way of his executive assistant, Zachery Grizzard: zgrizzard@tcnewengland.org

Zachery Grizzard

Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer

Zachery’s struggle with drugs and alcohol started at a young age when his parents divorced. The feeling of being unworthy and not good enough for his parents led him to drink and use drugs. The addiction spiraled out of control in 2017 when he was in a bad accident breaking both femurs and being introduced to prescription pain pills. After several overdoses, God led him to Adult & Teen Challenge Massachusetts.

After coming to Adult & Teen Challenge Massachusetts, God completely transformed his life to the point where he knew he was called here to serve God’s kingdom by helping others transform their lives through the power of the Holy Spirit. Zachery now serves as the Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer for Adult & Teen Challenge New England and New Jersey.

Contact via email: zgrizzard@tcnewengland.org