Hello, I’m Amy Aracena, LCSW. I am a bilingual Latina Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified School Social Worker with over 20 years of experience across New Jersey in clinical, school, in-home, and community mental health settings. I provide inclusive, compassionate, and practical therapy in both English and Spanish. Throughout my career, I have served as a psychiatric clinician, child and family therapist, and school social worker, which has given me a deep understanding of the challenges children, youth, adults, and families face at different stages of life. In addition to my work at Allies in Caring, I run a private practice where I help clients navigate anxiety, depression, stress, family dynamics, school challenges, and major life transitions. My therapeutic style is warm, collaborative, and strengths-based. I use evidence-based approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused CBT, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and Family Systems Therapy, to help clients build resilience, strengthen relationships, and achieve meaningful change. Every session is tailored to your unique needs, values, and cultural background. My passion for helping others was shaped by my love of children and the experience of losing my mother to uterine cancer. I earned my BA in Social Work and Sociology (summa cum laude) with a minor in Psychology from Rutgers University–Newark, followed by a Master of Social Work (MSW) from Fordham University. Outside work, I recharge by reading romance novels, listening to Latino music, spending time with my family, and gardening. I enjoy working with Allies in Caring because I love collaborating with families and fostering connections with the staff. Working in the mental health field can sometimes feel isolating, so I genuinely appreciate the opportunity to meet virtually monthly with staff to discuss cases.

​Diego started working for Allies in Caring in 2023 after graduating from Hammonton High School in 2022. He began as a Summer Camp Facilitator, where he discovered his passion for community work. This experience led him to start an apprenticeship at Allies in Caring to become a community health worker. After completing his certification, Diego continued as a full-time community health worker at Con-Vivir, where he facilitates programs and plans to further his education while remaining active in the community. One thing Diego loves about working at Allies in Caring is being a peer mentor to kids, integrating his love for art and creativity. Outside of work, Diego enjoys art, acrylic painting, plants, nature, and being a good older brother. He is involved in various programs, including facilitating computer classes and the Liber=Arte Art Club, as well as helping with navigation services and more.

My name is Elizabeth Morales. I am a motivated provider ready to support families and loved ones build positive and healthier relationships that can soon be reflected to their communities and peers. Growing up with loved ones with special needs/ developmental disabilities I take the initiative to support communities members be involved in their environment to their fullest potentials. On my free time I love going to church, walking my dog, go to the gym, watch sports, and dance.

Hi, I’m Thomas Levine, and I’m excited to join Allies in Caring as a Behavioral Assistant. I have a strong background in education and community work, and I’m passionate about supporting youth, especially those with special needs. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Teacher Education from Stockton University and hold New Jersey certifications in Social Studies and Special Education. I began my career as a substitute teacher at Mainland Regional High School and Port Republic School District. Most of my assignments were in special education, where I found the work incredibly rewarding. I enjoyed creating individualized approaches and being a consistent, positive presence for my students. Many staff members regularly requested me to cover their classes because of my dedication and rapport with the students. Most recently, I worked as a Manager for the City of Egg Harbor, where I led daily lake operations, supervised lifeguards and staff, managed financial reports, and supported outreach efforts for individuals with developmental challenges. I’ve also volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Atlantic County and The Arc of Atlantic County. These experiences further strengthened my commitment to helping youth feel seen, supported, and empowered. What I appreciate about Allies in Caring: I truly value Allies in Caring’s mission to provide culturally sensitive, compassionate support to youth and families. I’m honored to be part of a team that prioritizes inclusion, respect, and empowerment.

I am an enthusiastic, outgoing person. Since joining Allies in Caring, I have had the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. I started as an apprentice, where I gained a lot of knowledge supporting our community, sharing events and activities from the Convivir Wellness Center to strengthen community ties. Thanks to Allies in Caring's support and commitment to the growth of its team, I was able to continue my studies and expand my skills. Currently, I also work as a respite provider, opening doors to new opportunities as a Behavioral Health Assistant, supporting children, youth, and their families on their journey toward emotional well-being. What I value most about Allies in Caring is that they offered me a safe space to grow, learn, and feel welcome from day one. If I had to describe this organization in one word, it would be: family.

Hello, my name is Breatney Reyes, and I’m proud to be part of Allies in Caring. I joined this organization because I genuinely love helping others, and I believe deeply in the mission of supporting individuals and families in meaningful ways. Being able to contribute to a team that values compassion, inclusion, and service is incredibly rewarding. Professionally, I have experience working with the Atlantic County Division of Public Health, where I supported clinical operations as a Clinical Attendant. In this role, I assisted with administrative and clinical tasks, helped coordinate public health services, and contributed to maintaining an organized and welcoming environment for clients. This experience strengthened my skills in teamwork, attention to detail, and direct support for community initiatives. Outside of work, I’m passionate about connecting with people, especially children. I love spending time with kids and find joy in seeing them grow and thrive. What I appreciate about Allies in Caring: I appreciate that Allies in Caring truly prioritizes making a positive impact in people’s lives through culturally respectful and empowering services. It feels good to be part of a team that shares the same passion for helping others.

My name is Saundra Umstead Capers, and I am currently working for AlliesinCaring as an IIH therapist. My background and mental health and education is based on over 36 years of experience working with children and adolescence. I hold a bachelor of science degree in speech, pathology and audiology, and I received my masters degree in clinical counseling from Seton Hall University, and then I returned to Seton Hall University, where I obtained my educational specialist degree which is an EDS in mental health. I taught special education for 25 years in the state of New Jersey, where I worked with children who had emotional challenges on a middle school level and high school level. I then became an adjunct professor at Burlington County College and then also an ad junk professor at Temple University. After retiring from teaching full-time in the state of New Jersey, I moved to Dallas, Texas, where I was the lead psychology professor for a large county college for seven years. My work in this field with children who have special needs has been very rewarding. I have worked with all of the disabilities that young children and teenagers have experienced, including autism. I love working with AlliesinCaring because it’s a great agency. They are very supportive. They really love working with the providers and supporting the families, which is their first area of passion and commitment. I join them in supporting that mission and I’m so happy to be a part of their team

Julian is very enthusiastic about working with Allies in Caring. Born and raised in Mays Landing, he grew a passion for music and mentoring youth. He graduated from Absegami High School in 2023 and studied Music Education at Rowan University for a year before taking an academic leave to work in the community. Julian has experience working events, specifically with autistic youth. In his free time, Julian loves to play guitar, workout, read comics, and barbeque with his family.

Juan Zambrano is originally from Venezuela, where he completed his high school education. He is currently dedicated to working with communities and families, providing support in emotional and social well-being. His work focuses on guiding individuals through personal growth and helping young people develop their skills, talents, and strengths. With a strong sense of social responsibility, Juan strives to promote well-being not only on a personal level but also within the close relationships of those he supports. He firmly believes that emotional growth and personal development are key to building healthier and more empathetic communities. Passionate about music, he sees it as a powerful tool for connection and expression that enriches his work with others. He is known for his patience, empathy, and deep respect for others—qualities that allow him to build genuine relationships and offer a warm, professional, and human-centered approach. His main goal is to contribute to the overall well-being of his clients, helping them strengthen their self-esteem, improve their relationships, and navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and resilience.