Vicki Law
Executive Director, Partners For Peace
Born in Longview, Washington, Vicki Law’s life has taken her across six states, shaping her adaptability and appreciation for diverse communities. Her nonprofit career began in 1989 with the Girl Scouts, where she held leadership roles both domestically and internationally, including managing programs on U.S. military bases across nine countries. She later returned to California to serve as the Chief Operating Officer for the Girl Scouts of California’s Central Coast.
In 2014, Vicki joined Partners For Peace as the Parent Project Program Director, introducing the Loving Solutions program. By 2017, she was promoted to Executive Director, where she continues her passion for empowering families. “I really believe that parent education should be required for all families—to give parents the tools they need in today’s world,” Vicki says. Under her leadership, P4P has expanded its impact in Monterey County, providing support to families in need.
Vicki speaks highly of her dedicated staff, noting their commitment to making a difference. "My staff gives 150%! They do the work for all the right reasons, and their passion shines through." She also values the diverse contributions of P4P’s Board of Directors, who help ensure the organization’s strength and sustainability.
Outside of work, Vicki enjoys hiking, gardening, and flipping furniture, and she discovered a love for cooking at 32. Looking ahead, Vicki plans to grow P4P’s reach, serving families both in-person and online, and helping them navigate the challenges of modern parenting.
Leticia Molinero
Program Manager, Parent Project/Loving Solutions
It was back in 2011 when Leticia Molinero joined the efforts of Partners For Peace (P4P) as a volunteer in the Strengthening Families Program.
Leticia’s goal is to become a family therapist, thus her educational journey led her to Southern California as a double major in Psychology and Child Development at Cal State University San Bernardino.
Leticia returned to Monterey County in 2018 and reconnected with Partners for Peace when she applied to be the part-time Outreach Assistant. A few months later, she would be promoted to full-time Program Manager; a position she says she loves as she can connect, collaborate and support those in her community.
“It’s great to be back working with the families in the community I was raised in” she said. “To an extent, I am doing what I intended with my degree; I can relate to participants and can easily connect because most of the time I understand what they are going through.”
She says that the team at P4P is like her second family; they are supportive and loves all the qualities that are shared, making the environment positive.
She says that parents should not be afraid to ask for help, because it is better to invest 20 hours in a program, rather than 20+ hours dealing with behaviors that can be improved.
“I am here to make families stronger, and I just hope that I can make one parent, at a time, feel confident and better about themselves, because parenting is not easy.”
Melissa Edwards
Family Education Program Manager
Melissa oversees the Strengthening Families Program and is leading the development of two new initiatives: Familia Adelante and Soledad Mentoring. With extensive experience in launching community programs and a strong expertise in creating family-focused curricula, Melissa is passionate about making a difference. "I'm so grateful to have the ability to deliver services and help families connect, heal, and learn new ways to get along and be loved," she says.
Her journey with P4P began in 2005, when one of her sons was at risk of gang involvement. Referred by a judge, Melissa and her husband, Kirk, joined the Strengthening Families Program, deciding to bring all their children. "My husband and I knew that we didn't have all the answers,” she recalls. “Although the support was only needed for me and my son, as parents we decided to bring all of our kids to the program."
Two years later, Melissa transitioned from participant to facilitator, helping families navigate challenges with uncooperative children. In 2016, she became the Trainer of Trainers for the Strengthening Families Program, teaching all three family programs offered by P4P. One of her goals is to organize professional development workshops for facilitators, providing them with essential skills to better serve the community.
Melissa, 53, was born in Salinas, CA, and spent part of her childhood in Oklahoma. A proud mother of five and grandmother to six, she enjoys attending concerts, watching her husband’s plays, and spending time with her loved ones. She’s also a dedicated artist, creating work in various mediums. Looking ahead, Melissa is eager to expand her expertise in grant writing and fundraising, aiming to enhance P4P’s reach and impact.
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Gustavo Salgado
Family Education Program Manager
Gustavo Salgado first joined Partners For Peace as an intern while studying social work at CSU Monterey Bay. Now a full-time Family Outreach Program Manager, he leads the Familia Adelante Program, focused on supporting families in the Latino community. “It’s up to us, the adults, to guide children in the right direction,” he says.
Originally from Honduras, Gustavo moved to the U.S. at a young age, later serving 22 years in the Air Force. After an injury limited his opportunities, he returned to school to pursue his passion for community service. At P4P, Gustavo now helps parents understand their children’s behavior and equips them with tools to prevent issues like drug use, truancy, and social media risks.
Committed to bridging cultural and language barriers, Gustavo’s work is especially focused on the Hispanic community. “I want to share as many opportunities as possible with families facing challenges like language barriers,” he says.
In addition to his work at P4P, Gustavo is passionate about helping veterans overcome anxiety and depression. His long-term goal is to create a program for underserved children, giving them a voice and inspiring them to reach their potential. In his free time, Gustavo enjoys photography, hiking, and spending time with his wife and two children.
Brenda A.
Marketing & Office Manager
Born and raised in Salinas, CA, Brenda has been involved with Partners For Peace for nearly a decade, initially volunteering for the Strengthening Families Program. "I enjoyed seeing the transformations in parents and children from the beginning to the end of the course," she says.
As the new Office Manager, Brenda coordinates administrative tasks such as customer service, scheduling, invoicing, and event participation. "I feel very proud to be part of an amazing program; it's very fulfilling," she says. Being part of the community her whole life, she understands its needs and loves giving back through her work at P4P.
Brenda enjoys working with the supportive staff and looks forward to contributing to meaningful change for youth and families in Monterey County. In her free time, she enjoys watching scary movies, playing video games, and plans to travel more.