Molina Healthcare of California Celebrates Three San Diego MolinaCares Community Champions
09/02/2025
Each Honoree Received $5,000 to Donate to Nonprofit Organization of Choice
SAN DIEGO, Calif., September 2, 2025 - Molina Healthcare of California (“Molina”) recently recognized three San Diego area residents for their dedication to addressing social determinants of health through the MolinaCares Community Champions program. Each honoree received a $5,000 grant to pay forward to the nonprofit organization of their choice.
“We are honored to recognize these individuals who go above and beyond to impact those around them and meet the needs of underserved communities,” said Abbie Totten, plan president of Molina Healthcare of California. “Molina is committed to improving the health and well-being of Californians. We know it’s individuals and organizations like these that help make that possible here in San Diego.”
This year’s San Diego MolinaCares Community Champions are:
Estela “Estelita” Chamu of Escondido has devoted decades to breaking down barriers in health care and social services for San Diego’s most underserved communities. A survivor of domestic violence, Chamu transformed her own experiences into a mission of hope and healing for others. She has led support groups, spoken openly in Latino communities and encouraged families to prioritize mental health without fear or shame. She regularly travels up to two hours by bus or train to support food bank distributions and resource events in City Heights, Escondido, El Cajon, Chula Vista and beyond. Her service includes decades of volunteer leadership with Poder Popular, Universidad Popular, the Employee Rights Center and Vision y Compromiso, where she ensures local voices are represented. Chamu has led neighborhood safety improvements, and helped countless families gain access to essential resources. Her grant will be donated to Visión y Compromiso.
Jeri Nicolas of Oceanside is a lifelong advocate for equity, cultural preservation and the rights of LGBTQ+ and native Hawaiian communities. As an employee of the North County LGBTQ Resource Center in Oceanside, she connects individuals to health resources, educational programs and safer, more inclusive spaces for underserved residents. Her outreach has been especially impactful for LGBTQ+ individuals in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Nicolas served as executive producer and writer on an award-winning short documentary, The Last Queen, which received recognition at film festivals around the world. She continues to amplify diverse voices as a board member of the Brooks Oceanside Theatre, chair of its new Film Commission and as a former board member for Dems for Equality and PFLAG. Nicolas was honored as Congressman Mike Levin’s June Constituent of the Month in 2023 for her dedication to equity and cultural preservation. Her grant will be donated to Umeke Inc.
Eva Pacheco of El Cajon is founding executive director of EJE Academies in East San Diego County. Her journey began in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, where she taught school for 13 years before immigrating to the United States. Pacheco quickly recognized the systemic barriers facing Spanish-speaking families. When her daughter struggled without bilingual support, Pacheco organized parents, secured bilingual educators and established the district’s first bilingual advisory committee. Pacheco then founded Excellence and Justice in Education (EJE), which grew into EJE Academies—a public dual-language charter school that has transformed educational access for thousands of students. She has empowered parents, fostered strong partnerships with community leaders, and advanced equity for generations of Latinx students. Her accolades, including CABE Parent of the Year, the San Diego County Office of Education Biliteracy Award, and recognition as a Woman of the Year nominee by the California Legislature, reflect her impact. Her grant will be donated to EJE Academies.
About Molina Healthcare of California
Molina Healthcare of California, Inc. provides government-funded, quality health care, serving members through Medi-Cal, Medicare, and Marketplace (Covered California) programs. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a Fortune 500 company, provides managed health care services under the Medicaid and Medicare programs, and through state insurance marketplaces. For more information about Molina Healthcare of California, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.
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