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 Issue #20: August 2026
Dear Equity Ally,
In August, families prepare for the start of a new school year, this time can bring both excitement and added pressure. For many households, back-to-school season means navigating the need for school supplies, technology needs, transportation, accessibility challenges, and other essential resources.
Socioeconomic status, in addition to identity and lived experience often dictate the level of stress in times of transition. This baseline is the foundation of economic mobility. When families have access to stable housing, affordable childcare, quality education, workforce pathways, health supports, and trusted community services, they are better positioned not just to meet immediate needs, but to plan for the future. The San Mateo County Economic Mobility Action Plan was adopted unanimously by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday August 11, 2026. The Plan recognizes that opportunity is shaped by systems, and that advancing equity requires removing barriers that make it harder for residents to achieve stability, build wealth, and thrive across generations. More information regarding the identified goals and corresponding strategies can be accessed via: Moving the Needle: Local Strategies for Economic Mobility. |
In the resolution, the Board of Supervisors requested County staff to develop an Economic Mobility Action Plan, specifically asking for actions the County institution will take to advance the goals identified in The Plan. The County aims to be a model for other cities and jurisdictions to respond to the “call to action” in the Plan to adopt the collective framework designed in the Plan, and create their own action plans. This issue is too big for any one jurisdiction or institution. We need to work together.
Throughout this newsletter, you will find programs, services, and community resources from across the County, including supports available through local County libraries.These resources are intended to help residents and families navigate this season with greater stability, connection, and support.We are grateful for your continued partnership in building a County where every person has the opportunity to be heard, supported, and included. Together, we can turn this season of transition into a season of belonging, access, and shared possibility.As always, thank you for being part of this work. In Solidarity,
The Office of Racial and Social Justice
Shireen Malekafzali Taidi, Chief Equity Officer
Kacie Santana, Equity and Belonging Manager
Caline Salame, Equity and Belonging Associate
Andrew Knaack, Equity and Belonging Associate
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The Shared Prosperity Coordinating Council (SPCC) and the San Mateo County Office of Racial and Social Justice are proud to release the county’s first Economic Mobility Action Plan (EMAP).
Developed by the multisector Shared Prosperity Coordinating Council, local leaders, and countless community partners, the EMAP provides a data-driven framework and strategies to help ensure San Mateo County is a place where everyone can thrive—with good career opportunities, strong neighborhoods, and the opportunity to build a bright future for current and future generations.
Join us to:
- Learn about the county’s Economic Mobility Action Plan
- Explore community data and promising strategies for change
- Discover ways your organization can help advance economic mobility
 Register for one of two webinar sessions:
- Thursday, August 27th,10AM - 11AM
- Tuesday, September 1st,1PM - 2PM
A special shoutout to the San Mateo County Disabilities Commission for hosting its 7th Annual Inclusion Festival on July 16, 2026.
This event honored and supported individuals with disabilities by providing library resources, live music, and engaging activities for County residents. The festival also featured the raising of the Disability Pride flag to celebrate Disability Pride Month. We would like to express our gratitude to Supervisor Gauthier for demonstrating support through her speech. Thank you to everyone who attended and showed their support for our community.
For more information and to better support our neighbors with different abilities, check out this short YouTube video on "Disability Sensitivity Training".
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Join the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women for a timely Women’s Equality Day conversation celebrating the power of women’s civic participation and spotlighting practical, community-based solutions already making a difference.
“From Voice to Vote: Affordability at the Ballot Box” is a Women’s Equality Day event on August 25th from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Burlingame Community Center.
Use your voice to make San Mateo County more affordable for women and families!
The LGBTQ+ Commission is excited to present the SpeakOUT Campaign! By providing residents with essential tools, we can continue to progress toward inclusion and equity for everyone. We encourage community members to advocate for inclusion at city council meetings, school boards, libraries, and workplaces. Not sure how to get started? The Commission offers free training sessions
A former inn in South San Francisco is being transformed into permanent housing for seniors aged 62 and older. This project aims to address homelessness among the elderly in our community and provide essential resources. San Mateo County Supervisor Jackie Speier highlighted the urgent need for affordable housing, noting that 1/3 of the homeless population in San Mateo County is 55 or older. Construction is currently underway and is expected to be done by the end of the year.
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The Human Services Agency is dedicated to providing valuable community resources, including San Mateo County's Child Care services. The Child Care Coordinating Council (4 Cs) offers free referrals to child care providers, along with a variety of additional services. As summer break comes to an end and children return to school this month, it's important to highlight the significance of child care and related services that assist many families. One such service is Trustline, a database of verified nannies and babysitters, whose backgrounds have been checked by the California Department of Justice and the FBI.
The “Izzi is Early Education” program is now accepting enrollments for the 2026-2027 year! This program offers child development and support services for high-need children aged 0 to 5 years in San Mateo County. To be eligible, children must meet the age requirements, and families must demonstrate income or categorical eligibility.
Wednesday from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM. The market is located at Bloomhouse, 2555 Pulgas Ave, East Palo Alto, CA 94303.
This market fosters stronger relationships among community members, farmers who produce our food, and local organizations. Enjoy live cooking demonstrations from our nutrition team featuring produce from the market. Additionally, don't miss the chance to participate in our weekly compost hub collections organized by the gardening team!
Diverse representation on our boards and commissions is vital to advancing equity and ensuring County decisions reflect the communities we serve. Please consider applying or sharing these opportunities with your network.
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HIP Housing is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing solutions in San Mateo County. They offer four core programs, all without any enrollment fees.
One of their key offerings is the Homesharing program, which matches individuals with available rooms or accessory dwelling units (ADUs) for rent with homeseekers looking for affordable housing. Participants can also exchange household chores for reduced rent. To join this program, all applicants undergo an interview/screening process and receive a resource guide containing questions to ask potential roommates.
San Mateo County Libraries are here to support you all with valuable resources. Offering events such as
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U.S. Citizenship Test Classes / Clases para el examen de ciudadanía de EE. UU. disponibles en inglés y español
- Materials included/Materiales incluidos
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Different locations available/ Diferentes ubicaciones disponibles, ¡haz clic en el enlace para encontrar una clase en tu ciudad!
- More Information/Mas Informacion
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Free Meals hosted by the Library of Half Moon Bay
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New Parent Meet Up (Foster City): Chat with other new parents and share resources
The Economic Advancement Center in South San Francisco is hosting a Public Assistance Programs Application Event on August 7th, 14th, and 28th, from 9 AM to 1 PM. This recurring event occurs every other week and offers support for individuals interested in applying for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, CalWORKS, or General Assistance.
Try out our crossword puzzle for this month's equity moment.
Have feedback? We would appreciate feedback about what information you most want to hear from us. For feedback, please email us at equitysmc@smcgov.org.
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