Wrapped in vibrant monarch butterflies representing growth, resilience and transformation, the bus showcases four accomplished Coachella Valley women whose leadership and community involvement reflect the values at the heart of the Ophelia Program:

• Amanda Augustine, Chairperson of the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians
• Linda Evans, Mayor of La Quinta and Chief Strategy Officer of Desert Care Network
• Gina Rotolo, Vice President of Marketing and Business Services for Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds
• Melyssa Lopez, Client Relationship Consultant for U.S. Bank

Together, the women featured on the bus represent leadership, service, mentorship and the lasting impact that investing in young women can have across generations.

The design also features Ophelia alumna Paulina Larson, Marketing & Events Director for Palm Springs Life, whose success demonstrates the lasting impact mentorship and educational support can have on a young person’s future.

“This project is far more than a bus wrap,” said Peter Sturgeon, CEO of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation. “It is a moving celebration of the extraordinary women who mentor, lead and invest in young people every day, while serving as a reminder to every girl who sees it that her future is filled with possibility. This project reflects the shared commitment of the JFK Memorial Foundation and SunLine Transit Agency to invest in young people while using public transit as an innovative platform to celebrate community leadership and inspire future generations. We are incredibly grateful to SunLine Transit Agency for helping us bring this vision to life.”

“At SunLine, we believe transportation can do more than connect people to destinations—it can connect communities to opportunity,” said Mona Babauta, CEO/General Manager of SunLine Transit Agency. “Every day this bus travels throughout the Coachella Valley, it will celebrate the young women whose lives have been transformed through the Ophelia Program while encouraging the next generation to believe in what’s possible.”

“I’ve seen firsthand how mentorship can change the course of a young person’s life, and that’s exactly what the Ophelia Program has been doing throughout our valley for more than two decades,” said Amanda Augustine, Chairperson of the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians. “I’m honored to be part of a project that celebrates the strength, resilience and potential of the next generation while inspiring girls to believe in themselves.”

The Ophelia Program has empowered young women across the Coachella Valley since 2002 through mentorship, leadership development and educational opportunities that build confidence, self-worth and lifelong success. Since its inception, the program has trained more than 1,000 mentors and positively impacted more than 7,000 girls.

The Butterfly Bus also serves another important purpose: reconnecting with Ophelia alumnae. The Foundation invites former participants to reconnect, share where life has taken them and celebrate the lasting influence the program has had on their lives.

“Being part of the Ophelia Program helped shape who I am today,” said Paulina Larson, a 2005 Ophelia alumna whose journey has since led her to become Marketing & Events Director for Palm Springs Life. “To now see my story featured alongside so many incredible women is incredibly meaningful. I hope every young woman who sees this bus realizes that there is an entire community that believes in her and that her future has no limits.”

“Our hope is that this bus becomes a conversation starter throughout the valley,” Sturgeon said. “Whether someone rode through the Ophelia Program years ago or is learning about it for the first time, we want them to know there is an incredible community committed to empowering young women.”

The Foundation also recognized the leadership of Mona Babauta and the entire SunLine Transit Agency team for their vision, partnership and commitment to creating a lasting symbol of mentorship that will travel throughout the Coachella Valley for years to come.

Residents interested in learning more about the Ophelia Program, becoming a mentor or reconnecting as an alumna are encouraged to visit www.jfkfoundation.org or call 760-776-1600, Ext. 111.