About us
Our journey
Since 2013, when we began as Asociación Casa Adobe, we have worked to create spaces for holistic exchange between people and their environment. Over the years, we have achieved important milestones in:
Community organization
Creative educational opportunities
Ecological justice
Support for migrants and refugees
Our work is constant and grows organically. Each achievement motivates us to move forward and face new challenges with renewed determination.
Since 2025, we have continued this journey under a new name: A Rocha Costa Rica, reflecting our renewed commitment to caring for people and creation.
Our dreams
We envision a future in which nature and community harmoniously intertwine: children enjoying the river, trees blossoming in previously degraded places, families sharing moments in green spaces, migratory birds and human beings finding places of rest and restoration; and visitors committed to the conservation and care of the environment.
Our values
Equity and Solidarity: We believe in a fairer world for all living beings. Every form of life has the right to a full life and an ecologically healthy environment. We strive to ensure that opportunities are equal for everyone and stand in solidarity with others.
Community and Collaboration: We all have something to contribute to the ongoing conversation that life presents to us. Sometimes our contribution comes through words, other times through manual work. Collaboration and teamwork nourish our spirit and help our projects grow.
Empowerment: We want to be countercultural and show that every person—regardless of social, family, or economic background—has both the ability and the right to fight for equal opportunities.
Sustainability: Recognizing and valuing all expressions of life that make up our planet leads us to think and act more inclusively. We believe that our everyday choices can have a deep impact on our immediate and global environment, and we commit to being empathetic toward our human and non-human neighbors alike.
Faith in Action: We deeply believe that God—the Divine Community of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—loves all of creation. We stand firm in the conviction that, in Christ, all things will one day be reconciled, and that as believers, it is our sacred responsibility to care for every facet of our world, just as the Creator Community has entrusted it to us.
Our team
Our team thrives through collaboration. We work in unison to fulfill our mission of “being good neighbors,” a mission that embraces the care of humanity and the environment. We believe that the key to success lies in harmonious cooperation. Each team member brings their unique expertise from social entrepreneurship and law, to theology, and wildlife advocacy. These components make us a dynamic force for positive change.
Our collective commitment to community conservation, restoration, and well-being, drives us forward. Together, we have achieved important milestones in community participation, education, ecological justice and support for migrants and refugees. Our unwavering unity and shared passion for the well- being of the Earth drive us to create a more just and vibrant world.
Meet us
James Padilla DeBorst
Coordination
An accomplished social entrepreneur, consultant, and dedicated organizer. With a strong track record of founding multiple non-profit organizations, he brings a wealth of experience to the field. James is highly skilled in strategic planning, grant-writing, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
Marivi Agostini
Migrant and Refugee Accompaniment
A proficient administrator with exceptional skills in management and hospitality, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing our initiatives supporting migrants.
Gabriela Castillo Corrales
Administración Casa Nube
Gabriela is a committed administrator, responsible for the overall management, operations, and logistics of Casa Nube, as well as the commercial area. With a strong vocation for hospitality, she seeks to ensure that every guest has a welcoming and meaningful experience. She brings extensive experience in community service, particularly in accompanying older adults and children, which enriches her work with sensitivity and dedication.
Ruth Padilla DeBorst
Communications
A practicing theologian, educator, and captivating speaker, recognized worldwide with a rich history of decades of commitment throughout Latin America. She also serves as a board member of A Rocha Costa Rica.
Yuni Ortíz
Creative Educational Opportunities
Yuni is a highly skilled and creative educator who leads all educational programs at A Rocha Costa Rica, with a special focus on children. She also coordinates the Casa Esperanza project, a shelter that supports people in situations of human mobility, including migrants and refugees.
Karen Hidalgo
Administration
He holds studies in Law, Project Management, and Theology. Within the organization, he is responsible for administrative, legal, and financial management, including resource administration, compliance with legal and labor obligations, drafting and reviewing contracts, financial control, and report preparation, thereby contributing to maintaining institutional order and transparency in processes.
Sergio Vallejos
Ecological Justice Leader
Environmental Management Engineer, committed to promoting urban agroecology, organic waste management, environmental education, and community action. His work seeks to ensure that these areas contribute to people’s well-being, strengthen communities, and foster a more responsible relationship with nature.
Johann Ruiz
Viverista Forestal
Board of Directors
Yuni Ortíz
President
Ruth Padilla DeBorst
Vice president
Donald Murillo
Treasurer
Heidi Michelsen
Internal Auditor
Gilbert Montero
Chairperson
Denisse Gallegos
Secretary
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