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Elena Sanchez, Executive Director
(elena.sanchez@parentsplacefrc.com) Elena lives and breathes the Parents' Place mission of "Empowering families of children with special needs through education and community resources." She began her career at Parents' Place as a volunteer at the Information Fair & Festival in 1998. She continued to learn and grow in the helping process and became a Family Resource Specialist. She then moved on to be Outreach Coordinator, Support Group Coordinator, Project Manager, Payroll Assistant, Director's Assistant and Interim Director. Having worked at Parents' Place for the last 18 years, the Board is confident that her considerable experience will serve Parents' Place and our community well. Elena's strengths are drawn from her personal experience, having raised twin boys who were born premature and medically fragile; she has come to understand the struggles and triumphs that many families may encounter. Please join us in congratulating Elena Sanchez in her promotion and welcoming her in the Executive Director position. We are confident that she will continue to do her absolute best in serving our community. Together, the Board and the Parents' Place Staff are devoted to providing support and resources to families in their journey of raising children with special needs.
Lynne Powell, Family Resource Specialist (Lynne.Powell@parentsplacefrc.com) Having a disability myself, having two children with disabilities, and a husband with disabilities, I could not understand how I could use my biology degree, until I started working here. I consider working here a gift that I can use my life experiences and education to help parents on their journey. |
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Valentina Allen, Family Resource Specialist &
Support Group Coordinator (valentina.a@parentsplacefrc.com) I have been with Parents’ Place nearly eight years. I am a mom of a beautiful, young lady with Intellectual disability. I have served as the Outreach Coordinator and a Family Support Specialist as well as my current position as the facilitator for REACH parent support group, Teen Titans teen social group and our Young Adult Social Group. In addition to my position at Parents’ Place I am an independent consultant for a Commercial Development team. I feel very privileged to be a part of a great team at Parents’ Place that works so hard to serve our community. Connie Kwok, Family Resource Specialist (connie.k@parentsplacefrc.com) I am a Family Support Specialist and provide support to families. I am trilingual in English, Mandarin & Cantonese. I am very pleased to serve families in the community. Part of my job is facilitating the Chinese parent support group for Parents’ Place. My 22-year-old son has autism and I have come to understand the necessary support and resources needed by parents who have children with special needs. Fele Mireles, Family Resource Receptionist (fele.mireles@parentsplacefrc.com) My full name is Matafele Auteletoa Mireles, what a mouth full! Even though I’m half Samoan, thanks to my lovely husband who’s Mexican, I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I have two unique young adults that have given me experiences with seizures, advocating for their rights and learning about 504 & IEP’S. I started volunteering at Parents’ Place in the so-called Spring to get out of the heat. After volunteering for quite a while I was approached and given my current job as Receptionist. Upon entering our doors, you’ll be greeted warmly and with a smile by myself or if you call I will graciously and eagerly want to hear how we can help you. T.L., Family Resource Specialist I am a Family Support Specialist and a representative for the California Autism Professional Training and Information Network (CAPTAIN). As a parent of a child with special needs, I have a passion to help families of children with special needs. I enjoy collaborating with other agencies and have served on the Community Advisory Committee for The ESGV SELPA since 2009 and as council chair for the last 5 years. I find my work valuable and rewarding working with parents, districts and teachers who may struggle with special education issues. |