Board Vice-President Karen Borja receives Community Justice Award

On March 6, Bloom in the Desert Ministries awarded its Community Justice Award to Karen Borja, vice-president and secretary on the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation Board of Directors. The award was presented at Bloom's 11th annual Spring Fling at the Doubletree by Hilton in Cathedral City. Bloom is a United Church of Christ.  

Borja, who lives in Indio and represents the District's zone 6, is dedicated to community service in her work and in the various Coachella Valley organizations she supports.

With more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit management and grassroots organizing, she was appointed in January 2019 to serve on the District and Foundation Board through October 2022.

Borja is a self-described "translator" between community needs and government. She is adept at directing projects and managing staff, volunteers and board members. Her leadership efforts range from organizer of the 2019 Coachella Valley's Women's March and co-manager of an election campaign, to board member with the Health Assessment and Research for Communities and member of the Women United of the Desert. She's currently employed as the Riverside County Community Affairs Director with Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest.