Ed & Carolyn Rose
"Every person deserves not just help, but respect."
In 1971, Ed and Carolyn Rose were a young couple who refused to look away from the poverty surrounding them in the San Fernando Valley. From their garage in Pacoima, they began collecting and distributing food, clothing, and furniture to struggling families, rallying neighbors and fellow parishioners from Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church to join them. They called their effort MEND: Meet Each Need with Dignity.
What started as a volunteer-driven act of compassion grew into one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the Valley, formally established in 1976. Today, MEND serves over 32,000 of the Valley's most vulnerable residents each year, providing food, clothing, healthcare, and case management to families, seniors, and the unhoused.
For more than five decades, the Roses devoted themselves to building an organization that transforms countless lives across the San Fernando Valley. Their lifetime of service exemplifies community involvement, selfless volunteerism, and visionary leadership.
Ed & Carolyn Rose
"Every person deserves not just help, but respect."
In 1971, Ed and Carolyn Rose were a young couple who refused to look away from the poverty surrounding them in the San Fernando Valley. From their garage in Pacoima, they began collecting and distributing food, clothing, and furniture to struggling families, rallying neighbors and fellow parishioners from Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church to join them. They called their effort MEND: Meet Each Need with Dignity.
What started as a volunteer-driven act of compassion grew into one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the Valley, formally established in 1976. Today, MEND serves over 32,000 of the Valley's most vulnerable residents each year, providing food, clothing, healthcare, and case management to families, seniors, and the unhoused.
For more than five decades, the Roses devoted themselves to building an organization that transforms countless lives across the San Fernando Valley. Their lifetime of service exemplifies community involvement, selfless volunteerism, and visionary leadership.
Raised in the Northeast San Fernando Valley by immigrant parents who instilled in her the importance of service and a deep commitment to social justice, Celeste Rodriguez learned early that showing up for your community is not optional — it is a responsibility.
Professionally, Rodriguez focused on lifting families out of poverty, including her work on homelessness prevention as part of the LA Mayor's Homelessness Services Team. As Deputy Director of Community Development Strategies, she oversaw LA's Guaranteed Basic Income pilot, Child Savings Accounts, and initiatives to empower vulnerable families. Elected to the San Fernando City Council in 2020, Rodriguez became Mayor, spearheading policies for public engagement, economic development, and homelessness prevention.
In the Assembly, she has focused her efforts on supporting policies that serve immigrant communities, drive economic stability and growth, invest in education and career training, combat climate change, and address California's housing crisis. Assembly member Rodriguez has an Associate's Degree from LA Mission College, a Bachelor's in Economics from San Diego State University, and a Master's degree in Social Work from USC. She lives in San Fernando with her husband and three children.
Assembly Member
Celeste Rodriguez
"Service is not something you do. It is something you live."
Assembly Member
Celeste Rodriguez
"Service is not something you do. It is something you live."
Raised in the Northeast San Fernando Valley by immigrant parents who instilled in her the importance of service and a deep commitment to social justice, Celeste Rodriguez learned early that showing up for your community is not optional — it is a responsibility.
Professionally, Rodriguez focused on lifting families out of poverty, including her work on homelessness prevention as part of the LA Mayor's Homelessness Services Team. As Deputy Director of Community Development Strategies, she oversaw LA's Guaranteed Basic Income pilot, Child Savings Accounts, and initiatives to empower vulnerable families. Elected to the San Fernando City Council in 2020, Rodriguez became Mayor, spearheading policies for public engagement, economic development, and homelessness prevention.
In the Assembly, she has focused her efforts on supporting policies that serve immigrant communities, drive economic stability and growth, invest in education and career training, combat climate change, and address California's housing crisis. Assembly member Rodriguez has an Associate's Degree from LA Mission College, a Bachelor's in Economics from San Diego State University, and a Master's degree in Social Work from USC. She lives in San Fernando with her husband and three children.
Rogelio Tabarez
"Steady, deep, and community-rooted. The kind of work that does not ask to be seen."
Rogelio Tabarez has consistently contributed to the well-being of the San Fernando Valley communities as a professor at California State University, Northridge, a long-time staff member at El Nido Family Centers, lead organizer for the Alliance United Community Network, and advocate for systemic policy change via the California Poor People's Campaign.
He has served as an active proponent of the Promotoras Parent Leaders through Los Angeles Mission College's nontraditional leadership certification program, lead organizer of the Harmony Keepers, supporter of Pueblo y Salud's Rapid Response committee, and facilitator of ancestral healing workshops and circles.
His commitment is not loud. It is steady, deep, and community-rooted — the kind of dedication that does not ask for recognition, which is exactly why it deserves it.
Rogelio Tabarez
"Steady, deep, and community-rooted. The kind of work that does not ask to be seen."
Rogelio Tabarez has consistently contributed to the well-being of the San Fernando Valley communities as a professor at California State University, Northridge, a long-time staff member at El Nido Family Centers, lead organizer for the Alliance United Community Network, and advocate for systemic policy change via the California Poor People's Campaign.
He has served as an active proponent of the Promotoras Parent Leaders through Los Angeles Mission College's nontraditional leadership certification program, lead organizer of the Harmony Keepers, supporter of Pueblo y Salud's Rapid Response committee, and facilitator of ancestral healing workshops and circles.
His commitment is not loud. It is steady, deep, and community-rooted — the kind of dedication that does not ask for recognition, which is exactly why it deserves it.
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