Recap: Changing Lives 2022
This year’s Changing Lives event was unlike any other! On Wednesday, October 26, we held our once-a-year fundraising event, Changing Lives, in the beautiful Farallon Room at Skyline College. This year’s event gave attendees a look into the future of mental health and wellness services in San Mateo County and how StarVista is at the forefront of addressing the emerging needs of our shared community.
This was our first in-person Changing Lives event.
Since the launch of Changing Lives in 2020, we’ve made the past two fundraisers virtual due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. What we discovered was, by creating a virtual space for people to join the event, we brought more partners, community members, and staff than ever before to any event. That is why this year, in addition to hosting Changing Lives at Skyline College, we also livestreamed the hour-long main event via Zoom to offer attendees flexibility in participating in the celebration. We were also grateful to provide transcription and Spanish interpretation again to the event.
A big thank you to our Changing Lives guest speakers!
The event featured familiar faces from StarVista, including CEO Sara Larios Mitchell, Retired Police Chief of Burlingame and Board Member, Eric Wollman, and former StarVista client, Marilyn D. Thomas, MPH, Ph.D.. We were grateful to also have Redwood City Mayor, Giselle Hale, and San Carlos Mayor, Sara McDowell, share their connection to StarVista and how their new Mayor Mental Health Initiative is helping our shared community access needed mental health services. Our attendees also watched an uplifting presentation by Mike Duffy, a local public speaker and founder of Happiness Wealth Management and founder of the Happiness Hall of Fame.
Thank you, Visionaries, for your continued support of our organization
We want to thank our amazing community of supporters, the StarVista Visionaries for making our dream of achieving sustainable, high-quality clinical mental health support for every person in our community. We also want to welcome our newest Visionaries! Thank you, Visionaries, for your vision, leadership, and commitment to supporting the most vulnerable among us.
Thank you to our event sponsors for making Changing Lives possible
A big thank you to Danford Fisher Hannig Foundation, Heritage Bank of Commerce, Stanford Health Care, SolMateo, Raiser Construction Company, Seiler LLP, KMPG Foundation, and Viola Law Firm for sponsoring our first in-person Changing Lives event! We are grateful for your partnership and support of our mission.
Finally, from the entire Development & Marketing Team, we want to say THANK YOU to all our guests, sponsors, donors, visionaries, guest speakers, Table Captains, community partners, volunteers, and staff for joining us in Changing Lives and for empowering individuals, inspiring hope, and strengthening communities in San Mateo County.
Show your support for StarVista and Changing Lives all year long!
Visit the StarVista Merch Shop to order your own Changing Lives short and long-sleeve tees. A portion of the proceeds from each Changing Lives tee sale will be donated to StarVista’s programs.