A Message from Elena Sanchez

​Dear Parents, Professionals and Community Members,
 
First, I would like to express how deeply humbled and honored I am to have the opportunity to serve as Executive Director at Parents’ Place Family Resource & Empowerment Center.  My predecessors have built a strong foundation and legacy.  I will continue to follow the path that our founders created when they started our organization nearly 30 years ago.  Since the inception of Parents’ Place, it has been our mission to “Empower families of children with special needs through education and community services.”  We are committed to support, promote and enhance family-focused services in a parent driven atmosphere for families who are raising children with special needs.
 
I have been with Parents’ Place for the last 18 years.  I began my career as a volunteer at The Parents’ Place.  My first position as an employee was as a Family Resource Specialist.  In addition to that role I have been the Outreach Coordinator, Project Manager, Payroll Assistant, Interim Director and now Executive Director.   None of this would have been possible without the trust and encouragement of our community and the families we serve. As a mother of premature twins, who are now 21, I know firsthand the unique journey our families are experiencing.  My goal is to continue to implement effective practices when providing family support with the utmost humility and respect.
 
Throughout the year we host many trainings, events and seminars. This past April we had our annual Information Fair & Festival where we had 147 first time families coming to receive support and information from our 95 vendors representing our community.  In June, we hosted our annual Open House.  This event gives us the opportunity to provide tours of our Family Resource Center to new families and professionals.  And our favorite guest, Alligator Al, comes to entertain our kids with his pet reptile educational session.
 
I want to thank the many community members and volunteers who donate their time and efforts to fulfill our mission. We are especially grateful to Supervisor Hilda Solis, Mayor of West Covina Lloyd Johnson, San Gabriel Pomona Regional Center, and Congresswoman Grace Napolitano for their continued support of our mission of helping families raising children with special needs.
 
Please mark your calendars for our Birth to Five Seminar on September 15, 2018 at Citrus College.  We also have a new support group for Vietnamese families raising children with special needs, starting on July 21, 2018 at 10am (see page 5 for details).
 
I hope that you will come and visit our center and utilize our many resources including our trainings and support groups. Please remember that you and your children are always welcome at Parents’ Place.
 
Thank you for your letters of encouragement and kind words you have shared with me.  I welcome your support and ideas to ensure that Parents’ Place provides the greatest quality of service possible for our parents, caregivers, and professionals. Please feel free to contact me directly at 626-919-1091 or elena.sanchez@parentsplacefrc.com. I will be more than happy to help, listen and put your suggestions to work. Don’t forget to register for our e-newsletter for a complete description of our upcoming events. (www.parentsplacefrc.com).
 
Sincerely,
Elena Sanchez
Executive Director