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A History of helping families in San Diego –
Key Milestones.

Alpha formed in the Autumn of 1970 with a focus on helping drug and street oriented youth in the Mid-City Community.

In Early 1971 a Hot-line crisis intervention drop-in center and pregnancy counseling services began out of basement space at the Wesley Methodist Parish. Later that year, a big red house was rented at the corner of 39th and University Avenue.

Alpha received its first grant through the United Way Demonstration and Development Program in June of 1971.

Alpha organizes and establishes the Mid-City Community Clinic for the provision of medical services to the indigent residents of the Mid-City Area. In 1971 the clinic opened its doors, initially staffed by volunteers.

Alpha incorporated as Alpha Project of San Diego, as a 501 (c)(3), on September 21, 1972, operating as a “collective” with community stakeholders.

In 1974 the clinic had incorporated as a non-profit and established it’s independence as the major provider of low-cost, high quality health care services to Mid-City residents.

With a grant from the County of San Diego, Alpha establishes a “drop-in” drug diversion program for youth in 1974.

During 1975 and 1976, family and individual counseling became a more formalized program.

In February of 1976 the Alpha “collective” hires a staff to coordinate programs.

In 1977, Alpha Project of San Diego moved to donated office space at the East San Diego Christian Church.

In 1977, Alpha’s Project Pride launched a neighborhood beautification program, renovation, landscaping and beautification of 30 homes. This was followed by Pride II, a community arts program designed to stimulate community pride with murals and ecological awareness.

During 1977-78 Alpha Project staff working with representatives of Kearny Mesa and Poway communities, developed a youth and family counseling services program that was established in 1978 as Harmonium, an independent non-profit serving the areas of North San Diego County.

In May of 1982 Alpha Project of San Diego changed its name to Alpha of San Diego, Inc.

In February of 1988 Alpha held its’ first Parenting Skills Class.
Alpha of San Diego receives a grant to enroll Healthy Families.

Alpha registered with the San Diego Food bank to distribute food to low-income families.  In September of 1992, with the support of the North Park Lions Club, Alpha of San Diego began vision screening and health care advocacy at Birney Elementary School.

In 1999 Alpha of San Diego served as the fiscal sponsor for a new group that was being formed called Supportive Parents Information Network (SPIN). SPIN become independent in 2001.

In May of 2004, Alpha held its first Anger Management Class.

In January of 2005, Alpha’s Executive Director Donald Verry of 28 year’s retired.

In December of 2005, Alpha hired a new Executive Director, Scott Suckow, its’ third in 35 years.

In December of 2005, Alpha closed its City Heights office after nearly 20 years and consolidated services to its North Park office. During this time, the supplemental/emergency food and vision hearing screening programs were transferred to Church of the Nazarene and La Maestra Clinic. Alpha of San Diego narrowed its focus to behavioral health services.

January 17, 2006, Alpha provides counseling/case management services to its 15,000th client.

In March of 2006, Alpha of San Diego started using the name Alpha Behavioral Health Services to more accurately describe its scope of services.

In April of 2006, Alpha Behavioral Health Services expanded to include psychological services and began accepting accept Medi-Cal and Medicare beneficiaries.