Families Forward Learning Center To Honor Local Leaders At Annual Soirée

Families Forward Learning Center will host its annual Soirée on March 29, honoring Pasadena Councilmember Justin Jones and community champions Jessica Sandoval Salazar and Romulo Salazar. The event aims to celebrate those who have contributed to the organization’s mission while also supporting Altadena businesses recovering from the Eaton Fire.

“This year’s Soirée will be special as we help support Altadena businesses that endured the Eaton Fire to rebuild, as well as celebrate all our amazing donors and volunteers whose hard work and generosity have helped us empower underserved families for more than 60 years,” said Elva Sandoval, executive director.

Councilmember Jones, who will be honored at the event, is a licensed Civil Engineer for Los Angeles County Public Works and a Pasadena native. He chairs the Pasadena Municipal Services Committee, which oversees city utilities and public works. Jones also leads the Arroyo Verdugo Communities Joint Powers Authority and has long supported Families Forward’s educational initiatives as “an advocate for education and support of families in the Pasadena area.”

The Soirée will also recognize Jessica and Romulo Salazar, first-generation Mexican Americans who live in South Pasadena with their two children, Arya and Joaquin. The couple, who met after completing degrees at Berkeley and Stanford respectively, have been described as “ardent supporters of Families Forward for years as champions delivering more resources to children, parents and teachers.” Romulo works as an information security leader specializing in high-technology and entertainment industries, while Jessica, formerly a Senior Consultant in strategy and operations within the healthcare industry, is now active with their children’s school.

Special guests at the event will include first responders from the Pasadena Fire Department.

Families Forward Learning Center, located at 980 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, has served Pasadena since 1961. The organization employs a two-generation learning model that helps both parents and children develop skills to improve family outcomes. Families Forward Learning Center ensures that children are safe, healthy and developmentally on-track, while enhancing parents’ skills, literacy and self-sufficiency so they can be active participants and advocates for their children’s education and their families.

Those interested in attending can click here to purchase tickets or become sponsors.