Uplifting and Inspiring Our Communities
What We Do
The Alliance for Community Empowerment (ACE) is a partnership of community organizations that works to address the effects of community violence, strengthen families, and empower communities. Our services Include:
The Mobile Response Team
After experiencing the trauma of murder, robbery or assault, we’re there to provide comfort and a system of meaningful support. Our Mobile Response Team offers emotional support, resources and referrals for those who have suffered acts of violence. No matter the day or time, our Community Violence Response Team responds to all acts of violence around San Diego County. Our team provides initial support to the family and creates a lasting relationship to support them throughout their grief and healing. Assistance can include emergency shelter, home repairs and clean-ups, food assistance, funeral and burial expenses, school essentials for children, grief counseling, therapy services, etc.
Engagement and Crisis Supervisor: Bevelynn Bravo, bbravo@upacsd.com
Teen Empowerment
Group where youth (ages 12-17), meet and learn to become contributing leaders in our community. The program provides awareness and education, as well as strategies to overcome gang affiliation or deter delinquent behavior.
Parent Empowerment
Group of parents and caregivers that meet to learn how to identify behavioral signs and risks of risky behavior in youth.
Strengthening Families
Parent-Child group (ages 10-14), that consists of an interactive course to promote family unity through positive parenting, effective communication and stress management skills. Parents and their children work towards developing a stronger relationship, understanding and mutual respect.
Grief Support Services
Group of Certified Grief Recovery Specialists that provide support for adults and children affected by the trauma of violence or loss. Individual counseling is available in-home or at our office. Additionally, we host a bi-monthly peer-based grief support group.
Who We Serve
Individuals and families that have been impacted by community violence throughout San Diego County.
Success Story
“My name is Dominique and I’m 20 years old. I became a paraplegic from gang violence at the age of 18. Bevelynn from the Alliance for Community Empowerment (ACE) and I met the day I was struck by a stray bullet in my back and became paralyzed. Bevelynn was with me in the hospital room as I went into surgery and just made me feel comfortable letting me know that I wasn’t alone since no family of mine was present. Since then, We have stayed in contact for almost 2 years now.
Since the beginning, her and her support team at ACE have put in so much effort into making sure I grow from my situation doing whatever is needed to ensure that things would be okay. Through the program I have been provided wheelchairs, clothes, blankets, food etc. The team has gone out of their way to take me out of the convalescent home for activities, provide mentors, supportive visitors that can relate to my situation and even clinical sessions with a therapist.
Getting shot and becoming paralyzed was a tough pill to swallow and it still is but there’s levels and phases in life. I didn’t see a future for myself, but now I do, and I appreciate Bevelynn and ACE so much for their kindness, encouraging support, and believing in me, I know the team has a lot of faith in me and I know they genuinely want to see me grow and prosper. We’ve laughed and cried together so many times and shared our tragic stories to others. There is something very special about ACE, and they always continuing to check up on me every now and then. Honestly, I can say that if I didn’t have this type of support from the beginning I don’t know where I would be at right now mentally and physically. Bevelynn has done her best to find events, peer support groups and even material needs that give me the steppingstones to finding my own way in life. The little things mean so much to me and I can’t stress it enough, but I truly am thankful that I got to know her. Through ACE I want to share my story and become an advocate for community violence so we can prevent this from happening to innocent victims.”
* Names have been altered to protect client privacy.
Funded by the County of San Diego
Program Manager
Sergio Gonzalez
Sergio Gonzalez is the Program Manager of UPAC’s Alliance for Community Empowerment. Sergio leads the mobile response team of diverse community advocates to assist families, support youth and empower communities. Sergio is a certified Grief Support Specialist providing grief counseling, supportive after-care case management, and proactive response to community trauma. Sergio was previously employed by Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation specializing in youth workforce development, prevention and early intervention. The main workforce training program was his co-founded Writerz Blok, a Multi-Media Printing Social Enterprise. As Program Manager of Writerz Blok Sergio was responsible for the overall administration of the at-risk youth diversion program serving over 2500 youth and families.
5348 University Ave., Suite F202
San Diego, CA. 92105
Tel: (619) 818-1013