Organizational Update – StarVista Merger Plans 2025
Dear partners, supporters, and community,
I’m writing to share a difficult but important update regarding StarVista’s future.
After extensive efforts to stabilize the organization, our Board of Directors, together with our Senior Executive Team, has made the decision to pursue a merger with a larger, highly stable nonprofit partner.
Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to achieve the financial and operational stability needed to be the reliable partner our staff, programs, and community rely on. This decision was not made lightly, and it reflects our deep commitment to ensuring continuity of care and minimizing disruption to those we serve.
The agency we are looking to merge with values the important, community-based work we do and believes that many of our programs will enhance their behavioral health services, ensuring our community continues to receive the care it needs and deserves.
The merger process will take time, and the final outcome remains uncertain. In the interim, we are working closely with San Mateo County and our other key partners to ensure services continue with as little disruption as possible.
The StarVista Crisis Center and 24/7 Crisis Hotline (650) 579-0350 and our Community Wellness and Crisis Response Team will be fully operational throughout this process. There will be no interruptions to these vital services.
We want to express our deepest gratitude for you, our partners and supporters, whose belief in our mission has helped tens of thousands of San Mateo County residents receive the services they need to thrive.
We recognize the impact of this decision, and we truly value your continued partnership and support during this time. Our hope is that many of StarVista’s most impactful programs will continue under new leadership, and we are doing everything we can to support a thoughtful and responsible transition for both our services and our staff.
Our hope is that many of StarVista’s programs will continue on through this merger, and we will do all we can to support our staff and our community through this next chapter.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or ideas during this process. We remain deeply appreciative of your collaboration and commitment to the communities we serve together.
With gratitude,
Shareen Leland
Acting Chief Executive Officer