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Bridges to Wellness

UPAC and the United Women of East Africa have partnered to promote behavioral health understanding through Wellness Navigators, educational workshops, and cultural celebrations.

5348 University Avenue,
Suite 108
San Diego, CA 92105
Phone: (619) 268-4933

May Vang, BS

May Vang is a seasoned mental health professional who double majored in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Her degree led her to the non-profit mental health arena where she feels passionately about providing direct services to underserved communities and populations. May has worked for UPAC over 26 years. She is a family member of a loved one who lives with mental health challenges, so she uniquely understands and has a deep compassion for this population. May is a strong believer of the mental health recovery model and strengths-based services.

UPAC operates Bridges to Wellness in collaboration with the United Women of East Africa (UWEAST).  The program serves refugee and immigrant families primarily from San Diego’s Asian and East African communities and is focused on reducing trauma and increasing resilience among San Diego’s Asian and East African immigrant and refugee communities through promoting culturally acceptable help seeking behaviors for mental health, substance abuse, and victimization.

The program provides:

  • Weekly workshops for API refugees and immigrants
  • Weekly workshops for East African refugees/immigrants
  • Quarterly multicultural Celebrations
  • Wellness Navigation

For additional information regarding API services contact May Vang, Program Coordinator at mvang@upacsd.com or (619) 455-2108.

For additional information regarding East African refugee and immigrant services contact Meeshate Mengistu at meshate@uweast.org

California Department of Social Services in consultation with The Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs