Since I started working for Star Vista in July of 2011 there are several things that continues to impress me about the company. First and foremost is the real value of the companies services. Privacy prevents me from commenting specifically about individual cases but I can say that the company staff is top knotch and very well trained
and managed. When these factors are combined its the community overall that is really the benificiary of Victorias story.

StarVista (formerly Youth and Family Enrichment Services) receives more than 80% of its funding from government sources (tax dollars), including a recent $75,000 grant from the Sequoia Healthcare District. See: Web Link As a Board Member, I objected to this use of tax dollars for charitable purposes.

They are a quasi-government agency.

I am the CEO of StarVista and take exception to Mr. Hickey's comment. Yes, our organization receives contracts from various departments in the County of San Mateo to perform vital services to children, youth, adults and families living in our community. The County of San Mateo recognizes that we can perform some of the services at a lower cost than the county. We leverage the dollars we receive from the county with foundation grants, private donations and grants from both the Sequoia Healthcare District and the Peninsula Health Care District.

What would Mr. Hickey suggest we use our tax dollars for if not to provide these services? Who better to spend our tax dollars on than the children and families living in our community. Does Mr. Hickey believe that tax dollars spent on suicide prevention, early childhood education, and homeless youth is not valued by our community.

StarVista is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)organization and is not a quasi-government agency. There are many nonprofit organizations like ours who serve this community and should be recognized for their work and the benefit they provide to so many people living in San Mateo County.

Michael said: "There are many nonprofit organizations like ours who serve this community and should be recognized for their work and the benefit they provide to so many people living in San Mateo County." True. St. Anthony de Padua Dining Room is one of them. They received my support until they accepted a grant of taxpayer dollars from my Sequoia Healthcare District. See: Web Link

My latest post on Star Vista is at: Web Link