FirstGenerationChainBreakers

ACES MATTER is dedicated to improving the understanding of mental and physical health disparities that start with Adverse Childhood Experiences, ACEs for short.
Our Purpose: To provide high quality mental, physical, and spiritual wellness education to first-generation college students, first generation trauma chain-breakers, and early career individuals.

First Generation Chain Breakers

WE ARE

STRONG AND COUNTING

Daniela Valencia
Rollins College Graduate Student
Spring 2022

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I grew up in Orlando, FL and received my Bachelor's degree from UCF in Psychology. Currently, I am a graduate student for Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rollins College.

After graduating from Rollins, I am hoping to earn a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy, as well as play therapy to work with children. I want to be able to work with children and their families that have been affected with any kind of trauma.

After learning more about ACEs, I have more clarity that this is what I want to do for my community and others. I want to spread the word and be able to help others. Being involved in ACEs Matter makes this even more possible.

Kristin Khoury
Rollins College Graduate Student
Fall 2021

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Kristin Khoury is a graduate student for Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Rollins College. Kristin attended the University of Central Florida for her B.S. degree in Psychology and graduated in 2014.

Kristin is working with ACEs Matter Corporation as her site for Social Justice and Advocacy Pre-Practicum. She has been captivated by what ACEs Matter Corporation stands for and looking forward to advocating and use activism processes that address social barriers in our communities.

During her time at Rollins, she would like to pursue the track for the certificate program in Family and Relationship Therapy.

Zoe Miniter
Rollins College Graduate Student
Fall 2021

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I am originally from Asuncion, Paraguay, South America, where I was adopted and grew up in the state of New Hampshire. I am one of two siblings, and was brought up in a large diverse city. My husband and I moved to Florida about a year ago to pursue my master's degree in mental health counseling and start a new adventure.

During my undergraduate years at Endicott College, I interned and eventually worked at the International Institute of New England, a refugee resettlement agency located in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. I worked as a case manager, greeting New Americans at the airport, finding them a place to live, helped with social security, getting them healthcare, signing their children up for school, providing education on banking and how to pay bills, along with many other duties. I was then promoted to be the head of employment, which at the core was to help New Americans find employment, find transportation, education on work life, laws, policy's and rights, as well as finding new employers. I plan to specialize in Marriage and Family Therapy, trauma therapy, and work military personal, first responders and refugees (further down the road).

I currently live in Orlando, Florida with my husband and have a Corgi named Spriggan and a cat Whisper. It is my hope to eventually have my puppy become a certified therapy dog, once he calms down. When I am not working you can find me reading a good book, spending time with husband, having board game nights with friends and family, and trying to meet our goal to go to every state park in Florida.

I am also a proud supporter of Til Valhalla, an organization that creates and sends plaques to the families of fallen soldiers, and some of the money they receive from apparel goes towards 22 Project, whom I also support. The 22 Project works towards helping service members dealing with the aftermath of war, including posttraumatic stress disorder and suicide through different types of treatment.

Samantha Sokolovsky
Rollins College Graduate Student
Fall 2021

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Samantha grew up in the Tampa Bay area and is a current Graduate Counseling Student at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL. She has a BA in Psychology from the University of South Florida and has about 7 years of experience working with children and families from various communities. In her current position, she works as a Registered Behavioral Technician providing ABA therapy to children living with developmental disabilities.

In the future, Samantha hopes to receive dual licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor as well as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She hopes to specialize in working with women and girls healing from past trauma and empowering them with skills and opportunities to build a strong future. She would also like to work with families and children to help overcome adversity and create strong foundations for future generations.

Dan Decero
University of Central Florida Intern
Spring 2023

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I am very excited to be a part of ACEs Matter. I hope that during my time with ACEs Matter, I can make a lasting impact in people’s lives. I believe in this cause and feel that one of the biggest issues facing the world today is mental health.

Dan Decero is an Advertising/Public Relations major at the University of Central Florida.

He is currently in his junior year with an anticipated graduation date in Spring 2024.

Affiliate Partners & Advocates

PESI
Wisconsin

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Provides career-defining certifications that have changed the lives of thousands of clinicians.

Saundra J Golden
Life Coach for Domestic Abuse Survivors
Georgia

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Saundra J Golden
Author, Motivational Speaker, Consultant, Abuse Survivor

Saundra educates teens and young women in the “red flags” to watch for in relationships to avoid entering into toxic/ abusive relationships; to build self-esteem and confidence to move forward after a toxic/abusive relationship learning the power of forgiveness in order to live a happier and healthier life.

Saundra works with clients who are feeling “STUCK” and inevitably struggle with demons of addiction, anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidal ideation, compulsive behaviors, unsatisfying sexual and platonic relationships, and unfulfilling career paths.

Helping teens and young women maintain their power through overcoming or preventing toxic/abusive relationships is necessary for whole family development.

Determine Now
Single Mother Support System
Florida

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ABOUT Determine Now

Determine now is a 501c3 Non-Profit organization that uses social and emotional learning to bridge the gap between families and schools.

Due to increased anxiety/stress of life and now in a pandemic, it is important that our children, families and schools have S & E tools.

Meditation is one way to bring awareness to our inner feeling and to deal with them in a more healthy way. Determine now aims for positive inter-generation impact.

Mentally Grounded, LLC
Mental Health Counselor
Florida

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Gelissa Bultron, RMHCI
Child Advocate, Speaker, Mental Health Counselor Intern

Gelissa uses her counseling skills to help those in marginalized communities breathe again and to feel empowered again.

Gelissa is trained in Trauma Focused- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT is an evidenced-based treatment for children and adolescents impacted by trauma.

Gelissa's training follows a humanistic approach that validates all the complexities of the human experience. She aim's to meet clients where they are at along their journey, without judgement or pressure to change. Gelissa believes that the client knows what is right for them, and she is just a companion along their journey.

Gelissa incorporates a mind-body connection approach with the use of mindfulness practices, meditation, and breathe work. Gelissa also incorporates psychoeducation to help the client understand their experience and normalize their feelings.

E. R. for Traumatized Children
Caregiver Training
Mississippi

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ABOUT E. R. for Traumatized Children

Michael Stegall founded E. R. for Traumatized Children in 2020. E.R. stands for Emotional Rehabilitation for children who've had traumatic childhood experiences.

Michael equips caregivers with the Knowledge of how to Develop a healing Relationship with Traumatized Children so that their traumatic experience will not follow them for a lifetime.

Michael facilitates workshops for church groups, childcare centers, schools, and local community centers.

E. R. for Traumatized Children is based out of Tupelo, Mississippi but offers training virtually across the United States.