2025 May e-newsletter

Ribbon cut at 500 County Center, hundreds celebrate 169^th anniversary of San Mateo County

Dear friends,

Thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate the 169^th birthday of San Mateo County and the ribbon cutting of 500 County Center, the greenest civic building in the United States.

The evening started under the stained-glass rotunda at the Old County Courthouse in downtown Redwood City with a reenactment marking the county’s founding and was followed by a brief procession of hundreds of attendees to the new civic building accompanied by the Woodside High School Band. 

Barely a year old, 500 County Center is already the winner of numerous Best of the Best Sustainability awards, including from engineering News Record and the American Institute of Architects.

It was a beautiful evening to celebrate the county’s storied past, the possibilities of the future and to toast the renaissance of San Mateo County.

The event has hosted by the Board of Supervisors, County Executive’s Office and Historical Association to welcome the public to the new workplace for San Mateo County employees which is becoming a destination for large community gatherings with its immense lobby and vast courtyards that can accommodate hundreds of people.

To me, 500 County Center represents the cultural, artistic, political and economic revival of what has become the healthiest and near wealthiest county in California.

There are too many individuals to thank in this space but I want to take the time to recognize Vice President Noelia Corzo, Supervisor Lisa Gauthier, architect Javier Arizmendi, History Museum Director Mitch Postel, Chief of the Silicon Valley Office of Protocol Deanna Tryon and County Executive Mike Callagy your welcoming remarks and your warm reception to the nearly 700 attendees who joined the celebration.

Midway Village, the largest affordable housing project in San Mateo County’s history, completes Phase 1

Midway Village in Daly City’s Bayshore neighborhood marked the completion of 147 new affordable homes and broke ground on 113 more as part of the largest affordable housing redevelopment in San Mateo County’s history.

The celebration at Midway Village included a ribbon-cutting for Midway Village I and the ceremonial launch of construction on 113 homes as part of Midway Village 2.

This is a neighborhood near the Cow Palace that has really struggled for decades but is starting to show new signs of life as the first phase of Midway Village is complete.

This is a transformative project that took a very old and outdated affordable housing complex with 150 units to what will be a modern complex that will have more than 500 units for individuals often on the brink of being homeless.

Developed by the nonprofit MidPen Housing, the project also includes 27 units for local educators and 12 units for young adults transitioning out of foster care.

One of the project’s first residents is a 22-year-old who aged out of the foster care system named Nathan Smith.

Nathan (pictured above) said at the event that it was a surreal feeling to sign the lease and get the key to his new apartment. He is now enrolled in a pre-nursing program at the College of San Mateo.

The project is part of a four-phase redevelopment effort that will transform 150 aging units into 555 modern apartments on the same site, owned by the San Mateo County Housing Authority. 

In addition to resident amenities similar to those in Midway Village I, this second phase will also feature a 15,000-square-foot child care center where Peninsula Family Service will serve 109 children, including children from low-income families in the broader community.

Progress Seminar shines light on county’s collaborative spirit 

I was honored to share the stage with Nicole Taylor, President and CEO of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Julie Lind, Executive Officer of the San Mateo County Central Labor Council and Co-Chair Rosanne Foust on the opening keynote panel at the San Mateo County Progress Seminar 2025 in Santa Rosa May 3.

Together, we set the tone for an incredible weekend of collaboration.

Much of the discussion was centered around the uncertainty our county faces with the new White House Administration and how our cities, multiple agencies such as Caltrain, business community and nonprofits can work together to continue to serve the public with the safety net services we are mandated to provide. 

For instance, the massive cuts to proposed for Medicaid could cut off access to health insurance to 43,000 San Mateo County residents that could have a dramatic ripple effect on the health and safety of the entire county.

In total, the county is at risk of losing $672 million in federal funds, mostly in the Health System, Housing Department and the Human Services Agency depending on actions the federal government takes in the coming months.

The highest risk categories include losing funding for programs including Medicaid, SNAP food assistance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Emergency Housing Vouchers.

There are also some executive orders proposed that would set this county back including to mandate proof of citizenship in voter registration and to roll back how we accept mail-in ballots.

This county was the first in California to conduct an all-mail election and we have proved here that it increases voter turnout, costs less money and is transparent.

19 states have filed a lawsuit against Trump and San Mateo County is poised to file an amicus brief in support of California’s clear authority to run its own elections. 

The new White House Administration has prompted the County to tailor our advocacy efforts to align with current federal priorities and highlight aspects of our projects that will appeal to decision makers in Washington, D.C. while adhering to the County’s values and commitment to serve our clients and community members, especially our most vulnerable neighbors. 

Again, there are uncertainties out there and cuts coming, but our Board, Chief Financial Officer and Legislative team are all firmly locked in to anticipate what cuts may be most impactful and to pivot our spending if necessary to address any shortfalls.

We are a county of resilience and I remain optimistic that if we continue to foster collaboration like we did at the Progress Seminar, we will be prepared for any uncertainties that come our way.  

Mental Health Month highlights county’s commitment to wellness

Every year in May, the county highlights our commitment to wellness during Mental Health Month.

Each day in the United States, millions of people struggle — often silently — with mental health and substance use challenges. They may feel alone, misunderstood, or afraid to reach out for help. And too often, stigma delays treatment, leaving people isolated and at risk. This is something we cannot ignore. It’s not just about statistics — it’s about our neighbors, our friends and families.

Here in San Mateo County, we’re facing this reality head-on. Between 2021 and 2023, more than 12% of our adult residents likely experienced serious psychological distress. And our youth — many of whom are still learning how to navigate life—are showing signs of deep emotional strain. These numbers remind us that we must do more — and we can do more.

Our Behavioral Health and Recovery Services team, along with a committed network of partners, is providing essential treatment, prevention, and support to thousands of residents. But care doesn’t look the same for everyone, and it shouldn’t. That’s why we are investing in programs that are culturally responsive, rooted in equity and centered in compassion.

We are especially proud of efforts like the Office of Diversity and Equity’s Health Equity Initiatives, and the Lived Experience Academy, which empowers people to share their stories of recovery, hope and healing. These community voices help break down stigma and open doors to understanding.

This year’s theme — Mental Health as a Continuum — reminds us that wellness is not a destination, but a journey. And everyone deserves support along the way.

It was an honor to present this year’s proclamation to Dr. Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health & Recovery Services, Sylvia Tang, Community Health Planner, Terrell Fortune, Case Management /Assessment Specialist,  Renee Harris, Peer Support Specialist, Charo Martinez, Community Program Specialist, and Cynthia Castro, Health Ambassador who also gave a presentation on the services the county provides for those dealing with behavioral and mental health issues.

County applauds emergency medical workers

On Tuesday May 20, the San Mateo County Board of supervisors unanimously approved a proclamation I sponsored recognizing May 18 to 24 as Emergency Medical Services Week.

This year’s theme, “EMS: WE CARE. FOR EVERYONE,” captures the heart of what these professionals do. Every single day, paramedics, EMTs, dispatchers, firefighters, nurses, doctors, and volunteers show up during some of the hardest moments people will ever face. They bring skill, compassion, and calm when it matters most.

Their work is demanding in every way. Long hours, high stress, and intense responsibility. And yet they keep showing up, not because it’s easy, but because they care about the people they serve. This week, we say thank you. Thank you for the lives you save, the comfort you offer and the strength you bring to our community.

I was proud to present the proclamation to American Medical Response professionals, numerous other first responders from various city fire departments and San Mateo County’s Director of Emergency Services Travis Kusman, who is a paramedic himself.

Interns wanted to join our team