SDVoyager

Article: Community Wraparound Story of Robert Ontiveros

Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Ontiveros.

Robert, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Robert Ontiveros. I was born and raised in East San Diego, now known as City Heights. Growing up, I was an All-Star baseball player in the Sunshine Little League as a child, and sports gave me structure, discipline, and a positive outlet early in life.

Despite that, I was surrounded by negative influences, and at 13 years old, I became involved in gang life. As a result of the choices I made, I was incarcerated in and out until the age of 20. At that time, I didn’t fully understand the long-term impact of my actions, and the path I was on led to serious challenges and hard lessons.

As I worked to change my life, I held positions with several companies, learning responsibility, leadership, and consistency. I later connected with a great business partner, which opened new opportunities and led me to become an entrepreneur.

In 2012, I found my purpose and began mentoring youth at Teralta Park. I’m one of the co-founders of Youth Empowerment and was also one of the individuals who helped start the Credible Messengers movement in San Diego, using lived experience to guide and support youth toward a better path.

After years of working in the community, in 2021, I was asked by the founder of Community Wraparound, Pastor Jesus Sandoval, to step into the role of CEO and President. At that time, Community Wraparound was a volunteer, grassroots movement. Over the last three years, it has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with over 15 employees, expanding its reach and impact across San Diego County communities.

Community Wraparound is a trauma-informed, community-based organization serving youth and families impacted by violence, justice involvement, school disengagement, and complex trauma. Through credible messengers, intensive case management, mentoring, family support, and system navigation, we meet people where they are and wrap them with the support needed to heal, stabilize, and succeed. Our work focuses on prevention, intervention, and long-term stability, helping families build resilience and pathways toward education, employment, and wellness.

We have a strong, dedicated team at Community Wraparound, and the growth of this organization is a direct result of their commitment and hard work — boots on the ground every day, building trust and creating real change. I am deeply grateful and honored to work with and lead this amazing Community Wraparound team.

My goal is to uplift others and create opportunities for those who are most in need. Collaboration is my main motivation, because real change doesn’t happen in isolation — it takes a village.

Today, my work is rooted in purpose-driven leadership, ensuring that young people and families don’t have to walk the same dark path I once did. My journey has taught me resilience, accountability, and the power of community-led transformation.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
This has not been an easy road. In the beginning it was a struggle to get the systems to trust us as being mentors through a lived experience lens.

We’ve been impressed with Community Wraparound , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Community Wraparound is a community-led, trauma-informed nonprofit organization serving youth and families across San Diego County who are impacted by violence, justice involvement, school disengagement, and complex trauma. What people should know about us is that our work is deeply rooted in lived experience, trust, and long-term relationship building.

We specialize in credible messenger–led intervention and prevention, intensive case management, mentoring, family support, crisis response, and system navigation. Our team meets people where they are — emotionally, culturally, and physically — and wraps services around the whole family, not just the individual. We don’t believe in quick fixes; we believe in consistent presence, accountability, and healing over time.

What truly sets Community Wraparound apart is who is doing the work. Many of our staff come from the same communities we serve and have lived through similar challenges. That shared experience allows us to build trust quickly and authentically. Our team is boots on the ground every day, responding in real time, advocating for families, and showing up when systems often fall short. Also, we’re the first organization to be Trauma Resilience Educational Community, TREC certified.

We are also known for our collaborative approach. We work closely with schools, community-based organizations, faith leaders, probation, public defenders office, law enforcement, and local partners because we believe it takes a village to create real, lasting change. Collaboration isn’t an add-on for us — it’s the foundation of our work.

Brand-wise, what I’m most proud of is how Community Wraparound has grown without losing its heart. What started as a grassroots, volunteer movement has evolved into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with over 15 employees, yet our mission, values, and community accountability remain at the center of everything we do. Our brand represents hope, second chances, and transformation.

What I want readers to know is that Community Wraparound is more than a service provider — we are a bridge. A bridge between systems and communities, between crisis and stability, and between trauma and healing. We are committed to uplifting those most in need, creating opportunities, and ensuring that young people and families don’t have to walk the same dark paths many of us once did.

At our core, Community Wraparound stands for purpose-driven leadership, community-led solutions, and the belief that change is possible when people are truly supported.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My view on risk is shaped by lived experience. Early in my life, I took risks without fully understanding the consequences, and those choices led me down a path that included incarceration and significant hardship. Those experiences taught me that not all risks are equal — some are destructive, and some are necessary for growth.

As I’ve grown, my perspective on risk has changed. Today, I see risk as something that should be intentional, informed, and purpose-driven. The biggest risks I’ve taken in my life were choosing to change, stepping away from what was familiar, and committing to a different future — even when there were no guarantees.

One of the most significant risks I took was stepping into community leadership and later into the role of CEO and President of Community Wraparound. When I accepted that role, the organization was still a grassroots, volunteer-driven movement. There was uncertainty, limited resources, and a lot of responsibility. Choosing to lead meant risking failure, public scrutiny, and personal stability — but it was a risk rooted in purpose and community need.

Another major risk was trusting the power of community-led solutions. Building an organization centered on credible messengers and lived experience isn’t always the easiest path, especially within traditional systems. But I believed — and still believe — that investing in people, relationships, and collaboration would lead to deeper impact. That risk has paid off in the growth of Community Wraparound and the trust we’ve built across San Diego County.

I don’t consider myself a reckless risk-taker anymore. I consider myself a calculated risk-taker who weighs impact, accountability, and long-term outcomes. If a risk aligns with my values, supports the community, and creates opportunity for others, then it’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Ultimately, I’ve learned that growth doesn’t happen without risk — but meaningful growth happens when risk is guided by purpose, preparation, and responsibility.

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.communitywraparound.org
Instagram: @community_wraparound_
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/communitywraparound?mibextid=wwXIfr