Let's break the cycle!
Helping youth in Puerto Rico break poverty cycles
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit that communicates alternative thinking strategies to help people recognize, manage, and embrace their potential. OCA does not provide clinical or therapeutic services, instead serves as an interaction-based support system that presents insights people can consider to overcome adversities.
Vision
Vision
Vision
The systems and people that serve our youth offer them a fair opportunity at a stable and happy life.
Mission
Vision
Vision
To provide intensive support and improve system-wide programs, practices and policies through innovation, evidence and lived-experience engagement.
Goals
Vision
Goals
Provide access to learning and living process alternatives.
Maintain and cultivate a rich network of learning and collaboration between high-impact individuals and program participants.
Improve income generation, quality of interpersonal relationships and mental health outcomes of young adults with foster care experience in Puerto Rico.
H
Provide access to learning and living process alternatives.
Maintain and cultivate a rich network of learning and collaboration between high-impact individuals and program participants.
Improve income generation, quality of interpersonal relationships and mental health outcomes of young adults with foster care experience in Puerto Rico.
Help service providers and the child welfare workforce understand alternatives to meaningfully engage youth in foster care and improve program outcomes.
Our Values
Practice Self-Awareness
Practice Self-Awareness
Practice Self-Awareness
Act with Urgency
Practice Self-Awareness
Practice Self-Awareness
Engage Authentically
Practice Self-Awareness
Engage Authentically
Prioritize Safety
Leverage Diversity
Engage Authentically
Leverage Diversity
Leverage Diversity
Leverage Diversity
Equity
Leverage Diversity
Leverage Diversity
Our Team
Valeria Vélez, President
Loriel Chung, Vicepresident
Loriel Chung, Vicepresident
Loriel Chung, Vicepresident
Loriel Chung, Vicepresident
Loriel Chung, Vicepresident
Gianni Berenguer, Secretary
Loriel Chung, Vicepresident
Gianni Berenguer, Secretary
Nelson Pagán, Treasurer
Yalanis Vélez, Founder & CEO
Gianni Berenguer, Secretary
Jose Frau Board Officer
Yalanis Vélez, Founder & CEO
Yalanis Vélez, Founder & CEO
Yalanis Vélez, Founder & CEO
Yalanis Vélez, Founder & CEO
Yalanis Vélez, Founder & CEO
Our friends
Meet Gabriel
Awards & Recognition
Casey Excellence for Children Award (2025)
OCA's founder and Executive Director, Yalanis Velez Gonzalez, received the Casey Excellence for Children Award from Casey Family Programs in 2025 — becoming the first Puerto Rican to ever receive this honor. The award recognizes extraordinary individuals working to improve outcomes for children and families. Yalanis received the award at the CECA ceremony in Seattle, where she also spoke about OCA's model and the state of foster care in Puerto Rico.
Premio por la trayectoria y voluntad de servicio (2025)
Yalanis Velez Gonzalez was also recognized by the Continuum of Care 502 (coc502pr.com) with the Premio por la trayectoria y voluntad de servicio, honoring her trajectory and dedication to service in Puerto Rico's community sector.
Media Coverage
WAPA TV — "Hermanas crean organización para apoyar a jóvenes a sobrellevar adversidades" — feature on the founding sisters and OCA's mission
YouTube (OCA) — "Historias que inspiran: Overcoming Adversities" — organizational story video
Fundación Ángel Ramos — "Verano transformador: Yalanis Vélez González" — profile of Yalanis and her work
The Imprint — "Casey Family Programs Announces 2025 Excellence Awards" — national child welfare media coverage of the CECA Award
YouTube (Casey Family Programs) — "Yalanis Vélez González, 2025 CECA Recipient" — video profile produced by Casey Family Programs
El Nuevo Día — "Complejo panorama para identificar y atender a los jóvenes sin techo" — feature on youth homelessness in Puerto Rico
Ey Boricua — "Nuevo estudio busca visibilizar el sinhogarismo juvenil en Puerto Rico" — coverage of youth homelessness research.
El Adoquín — "Joven que salió del sistema de cuidado sustituto lanza organización para otros custodiados" — founding story feature
Mayagüez Sabe a Mango — "De Mayagüez el primer proveedor de servicio a menores en cuidado sustituto" — regional feature
Para Servirle Podcast — Episode 162: Yalanis Vélez González / OverComing Adversities (October 2023)
Contact Us
Copyright © 2025 Overcoming Adversities Inc. - All Rights Reserved.
EIN: 66-1005780