Flintridge Center Remembers Jaylene Moseley One Year Later

On the one year anniversary of founder Jaylene Moseley’s death, the Flintridge Center sent out an email honoring Moseley along with an update on the work at the center.

“Today marks one year since we lost our President, mentor, friend and inspiration – Jaylene Moseley,” the email reads. “She was an agent of change whose values continue to guide our organization through these challenging times. Through her kindness and wisdom, Jaylene built a community of supporters, partners and leaders. We are grateful to be among them and plan to move forward with a renewed commitment to the Vision 20/20 Network.”

Moseley died on May 25, 2019, one day before her 70th birthday, following a battle with cancer.

Winner of multiple awards for her work in the community, Moseley also founded the J. L. Moseley Co., which developed and managed commercial real estate in Northwest Pasadena and Altadena.

Moseley was involved in Pasadena and Altadena community affairs for more than 25 years. As president of the non-profit Flintridge Center, she helped the community as it struggled with gang violence and the reintegration of prison parolees into society. Moseley served as the managing director of the center from 1986 through 2007.

In 2002, Moseley formed a coalition of students and residents to establish after-school activities at John Muir High School. The effort led to the creation of Mustangs on the Move, consisting of 20 educational and enrichment programs.

Since her death, the center has expanded Youth of Promise to include diversion services for youth in lieu of justice involvement, and in January – for the first time – provide all Apprenticeship Preparation Program participants with weekly stipends.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has presented an unforeseen challenge, employees at the center are committed to moving forward.

The Youth of Promise team provided rental and grocery assistance to families experiencing food and housing insecurity; later they led a procession of cars in wishing happy birthday to a program participant. Every day the reintegration case managers connect with individuals recently released from incarceration, who face a dramatically changed landscape because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last Friday, the team took part in a virtual commencement ceremony to share in the accomplishment of a case manager who received her Master of Social Work degree.

“Today’s normal is clouded by uncertainty, anxiety and isolation,” the email reads. “But it is also a time of resilience, humility and community. At Flintridge Center, we are lucky to see these traits every day: in the young people overcoming poverty and violence in the Youth of Promise program; in the adults breaking cycles of incarceration within themselves and their families; and in each other, in our team. This month, we are reminded of where we learned these qualities … Through these experiences, we celebrate resilience, practice humility, and take comfort in community. We honor Jaylene’s legacy and carry forward her vision.”