The United Women of East Africa, an organization originally created to serve refugee mothers and their children in San Diego, reached out to other groups in their close-knit community and forged a partnership to address concerns facing young men as part of the Making Connections initiative.

The Violence Prevention Coalition of Greater Los Angeles (VPC) is one of 16 community partnerships across the U.S. selected to participate in Making Connections for Mental Wellbeing Among Men and Boys. The VPC Making Connections initiative focuses on addressing the impact of gang culture and gang violence on mental health and community wellbeing.