Karina Vela – Family Resource Specialist

Karina Vela is a Family Resource Specialist at H.E.A.R.T.S. Connection, where she has been supporting families since 2024. Originally from Oxnard, California, Karina moved to Bakersfield as a teenager—a transition that shaped her resilience and adaptability. Raised in a close-knit, family-centered environment, she developed strong values rooted in connection, perseverance, and advocacy.

As a first-generation college student, Karina attended Bakersfield College, where her studies evolved from biology into a focus on child development and psychology—fields that aligned with her lifelong curiosity about human development and learning. Her personal experience navigating her own children’s special education needs following their premature births has provided her with deep insight into advocacy and support. Karina is passionate about lifelong learning and believes every child deserves the opportunity to reach their highest potential. She is a strong advocate for empowering parents and caregivers, recognizing them as the most important voice in a child’s educational journey.