Bernardo Gomez Avalos

Community Engagement Manager, City of Chicago Community Safety Coordination Center

Chicago, Illinois

Bernardo Gomez Avalos is the community engagement manager for the City of Chicago Community Safety Coordination Center, where he focuses on creating safer neighborhoods and fostering inclusive, representative dialogue between citizens and local government. He led efforts to reduce violence in 15 high-priority communities, coordinating efforts with over 75 different stakeholders representing a cross-sectoral coalition. Through this, he organized over 250 local events, which led to a 150% increase in access for the community to essential services like mental health support and housing assistance. He also helped secure a $150,000 grant for a food delivery program for people with disabilities, which resulted in 2,000 meals for 150 residents with disabilities.