Klaressa Ortiz

Klaressa Ortiz recently joined The Primary School as a Parent Wellness Coach. Her deep commitment to the well-being of families extends beyond her role as a coach and academic evaluator. During her AmeriCorps service, Klaressa played a pivotal role as one of the main stakeholders in establishing the first local grocery store within her home town of East Palo Alto in 2009. Klaressa has a deep passion for community based development and is dedicated to supporting students and their families. She currently has over 10 years of experience in providing bilingual Mental Health Services and Case Management, within the nonprofit sector. Her work history includes providing community referrals, consultations and translations, as a Human Resource Specialist for the Fair Oaks Community Center, and a Bilingual Case Manager at the Edgewood Center for Children and Families, as well as, the Ecumenical Hunger Program of East Palo Alto. These experiences have enabled her to continuously develop and improve her diversity and inclusion skills, with an emphasis on a community assets based development approach.

Klaressa joins us from her previous role as a Degree Auditor and SparkPoint Coordinator for the San Mateo Community College District. She has served as a voting member for Cañada College’s curriculum committee and provided students and their families with equitable financial coaching, as well as advocacy and educational resources and benefits. Klaressa is enthusiastic to once again collaborate and serve the community of East Palo Alto.