Our Team
Small But Mighty!
At Partnership for Children, we may be a small team, but our hearts — and our impact — are big! With passion, creativity, and deep dedication, we work hand-in-hand with families, partners, and our community to make sure children living with serious illness receive the care and support they deserve. Every day, we show that a little team can do a whole lot of good.
Jennifer Ramirez, Executive Director
Jennifer founded Partnership for Children as its own independent organization in April 2016 and is responsible for the vision, strategy, and delivery of Partnership for Children services. Her passion for improving children’s access to medical care was born out of her personal experiences with her daughter, who has complex medical conditions.
Jennifer became director of Partnership for Children in 2011 when it was a program of Children’s Hospice and Palliative Care Coalition (CHPCC), for which she served as Deputy Director. Over the first four years as director, Jennifer more than tripled the number of children and families served and the transportation and financial support services provided. As Deputy Director of CHPCC, Jennifer advocated statewide to increase access to pediatric hospice and palliative care services and to address gaps in services.
Prior to CHPCC, Jennifer worked for over fourteen years in the nonprofit independent living movement, advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, including those with serious illnesses, at Central Coast Center for Independent Living (CCCIL). Jennifer spent the latter five years of her work with CCCIL as Deputy Director, overseeing internal operations and directing the Independent Living Services Program as well as the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) program, expanding services to people with TBI, and facilitating support groups for TBI survivors. Jennifer served two terms as President of the Human Care Alliance (HCA), a partnership of over sixty nonprofit organizations in Santa Cruz County, California collaborating to maintain a comprehensive safety net of services for the community. Currently, Jennifer serves on the Monterey-Salinas Transit Mobility Advisory Committee, of which she is past chair.
Jocelyn Rivas, Program Services Coordinator - Transportation Lead
Jocelyn has strong ties to the Central Coast community, growing up in the small town of Greenfield, CA. Her deep-rooted passion for helping others started at a young age and continued as she pursued her education. Starting at Hartnell Community College and later transferring to the University of Stanislaus State, Jocelyn earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology. Dedicated to serving those in need, Jocelyn embarked on a journey to make a difference in the lives of others.
Throughout her career, Jocelyn has dedicated herself to supporting individuals of all ages in the mental health field. From working with children aged 10 and extending to adults and seniors, her experiences led to a deep involvement in advocating for comprehensive care. It was through this journey that Jocelyn discovered that it was her purpose to directly impact the lives of children and families, ultimately leading her to Partnership for Children.
As a Program Services Coordinator at Partnership for Children, Jocelyn works to increase access to medical care for children and youth diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses, ensuring they, along with their families, receive the support and resources they need to flourish.
Outside of work, Jocelyn enjoys exploring the beauty of the bay area, often hiking its trails and enjoying the lively atmosphere of local farmers markets.
Alexis Campos, Program Services Coordinator
Alexis Campos was born in Kankakee, Illinois and raised in the small town of Greenfield, where limited access to resources shaped her early understanding of community needs. Growing up in an environment where basic necessities and health supports were often difficult to access inspired her commitment to helping families and individuals connect to essential services that support both physical and emotional well-being.
Alexis pursued her education at California State University of Monterey Bay, earning a degree in Collaborative Health and Human Services with a concentration in Social Work. Through her academic and professional experiences, she has supported a wide range of populations, including middle school students, academically at-risk high school youth, and elderly women experiencing homelessness. Across each role, Alexis has been driven by a passion for building meaningful connections and helping individuals access resources that meet their basic needs.
Alexis joined Partnership for Children because of the organization’s mission to support children with serious illness and their families. She is honored to be part of a team that provides compassionate, practical support to families during some of the most challenging moments of their lives.
Outside of work, Alexis enjoys spending quality time with her family and her dog, whether that’s going on walks, sharing meals together, or relaxing during movie nights.
Richard “Rich” Rotharmel, Driver
Richard is a recently retired firefighter engineer and EMT after 35 years of service in Monterey County. He is a Salinas native and graduated from Salinas High School in 1987. Rich boasts a wonderful marriage of 34 years to his wife Cecilia, and together they have two daughters. Richard joined Partnership for Children because the organization’s mission resonates deeply with him. Supporting children and families facing serious illness is meaningful work, and he is honored to contribute to it, guided by his lifelong commitment to treating others with care, patience, and respect. In his free time, Richard enjoys hiking the scenic trails of Monterey and Santa Cruz counties and has recently taken up golfing.
Louisa Hernandez, Driver
Born and raised in Salinas, Louisa is a proud and loving mother of four and has always found purpose in caring for others. She brings many years of experience as a caregiver and now supports families by helping them get to essential medical appointments.
Louisa is grateful to do work that allows her to be there for people during some of their most challenging moments. She approaches everything she does with warmth, patience, and a positive attitude, believing that simply showing up with care can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.
Jennifer “Jenn” Ojeda, Driver
Jenn was born and raised in Soledad, California, and is currently studying medical assisting at Central Coast College. Passionate about helping others and with a love for driving, she is grateful for the opportunity to combine both by supporting children and their families through her work at Partnership for Children. In her free time, Jenn enjoys traveling to new places, trying different foods, and exploring diverse cultures.
Helen Navalta-Biala, Driver
Helen grew up in Silicon Valley, married her high school sweetheart, and raised three children in San Jose's Evergreen community, where she volunteered in her children's schools and her community church. Now, as a Marina resident, she volunteers her spare time at the SPCA Monterey. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education from San Jose State University and has taught children in grades pre-K to high school for over 20 years. Volunteering in her children's schools sparked the beginning of her passion and commitment to working with children. "One of the greatest joys in my life is connecting with young people, encouraging and supporting them to be confident, courageous, and kind." Joining the team of dedicated drivers at Partnership for Children is an opportunity to continue on the journey of making a difference in children's lives, serving her community, and building relationships. She hopes to make a positive impact as a team member at Partnership for Children.
When she's not driving for work, Helen enjoys hitting the open road in her VW campervan, exploring the California coastline, fishing for the elusive striped bass and meeting fellow travelers.
