Since its founding in 2017, Successfully Aging and Living in San Antonio (SALSA) initiative was created to increase the leadership, funding and collaboration among individuals and organizations to help provide better opportunities for older adults. 

This program, part of the San Antonio Area Foundation’s Community Engagement and Impact (CEI) Department, had a banner year in 2024, showing marked growth in terms of coalition partners and expansion in programming.

“One of the big ‘wins’ for us in 2024 was with our transportation work group,” explained Jane Paccione, CEI’s Managing Director of Collective Impact who directs SALSA. “We were able to get our One Call One Click assessment done with the University of North Texas. That gives us a platform to go out to the community and ask for resources and funding to get that [program] here in San Antonio.”

Another major milestone accomplished this year by SALSA, which brings together more than 50 community nonprofits, was the Reframing Affordable Housing Cohort. The program started in November, which left much of 2024 devoted to learning and aligning everyone towards the same goals. In 2025, the group will be out in the community discussing what it means to have affordable housing for San Antonio residents. 

“For me, being a part of a collaborative that is with other nonprofits and other persons supporting older adults and persons with disabilities is a great partnership,” noted Jill Piazzi, Aging Life Care Manager and Owner of SALSA partner Gray Matters. “If you want to come and work with those that are driven and motivated to serve this population and continue lifelong learning yourself, SALSA is the place to be.”

Also in 2024, SALSA was able to complete its Caregiver Network’s Caregiver Toolkit 2.0. In total, 7,000 copies were distributed, with digital versions available in English and Spanish.

The highlight reel does not end there.

“The Social Connectedness Work Group also got kicked off this year,” Paccione said. “Just understanding our connection with each other is and with the things we love is just so important. How do we stay connected if we don’t drive? In San Antonio, it’s a real challenge, especially because we outlive our driving abilities by seven to 10 years.” 

“Our relationship with the Area Foundation and SALSA is very strong,” said Lori Hall, Senior Program Officer with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). “They are the support network in our city for low- and moderate-income homeowners, for those experiencing homelessness, for small businesses that are struggling.”

Thanks to all its successes, 2024 will go down for as one for the ages for SALSA. The staff and the initiative’s network of volunteers have a lot to be proud of. It sets up the coalition for even more success in 2025.

“It’s been a long year, but it’s been a good year,” said Paccione. “When we look at the AARP’s livability index, when we look at those numbers, we can see that those numbers [in San Antonio] are getting better. We are successfully navigating our housing, our transportation, our social connectedness. Those numbers are going up, so we know that San Antonio is becoming that place where older adults are thriving and enjoying connected lives.”

Eric Moreno is member of the San Antonio Area Foundation Marketing & Communications Storytelling Ambassador Network.