2024 CAFE Highlights
Year in Review:
Celebrating CAFE’s Milestones in Advancing Age-Friendly Communities
As we step into 2025, the Center for Age-Friendly Excellence (CAFE) looks back on an extraordinary year of progress, collaboration, and impactful programs that brought us closer to our vision of vibrant, inclusive, and multigenerational communities. Guided by our mission to foster positive change, 2024 was marked by milestones that advanced the global Age-Friendly initiative across San Mateo County and beyond. CAFE worked in collaboration with the California Department on Aging Local Aging and Disability Action Plan project, San Mateo County and the City of Los Altos.
One of the standout achievements this year was the completion of Age-Friendly Action Plans for Los Altos, Daly City, and Pacifica. These plans, thoughtfully developed in alignment with the World Health Organization’s Eight Domains of Livability, chart actionable steps to enhance accessibility, inclusivity, and quality of life for residents of all ages. Upon submission to AARP, these plans garnered recognition for their comprehensive vision and practical approach to fostering community well-being. View the Action Plans here.
A highlight of the year was the Loneliness to Light Gathering, co-organized by CAFE and San Mateo County and held on October 1 at the San Mateo Regional Operations Center. This groundbreaking event focused on the pressing issue of loneliness, which San Mateo County became the first in the nation to recognize as a public health emergency. CAFE Director Dr. Anabel Pelham and San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa served as key organizers and speakers, alongside Dr. Carla Perissinotto of UCSF and Dr. Elissa Lee from California’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor Project. Representatives from San Carlos, Brisbane, Belmont, Daly City, and Redwood City also shared insights from their own age-friendly programs and initiatives. The event inspired rich dialogue about replicating successful initiatives and overcoming challenges to foster stronger, more connected communities.
In April, the annual San Mateo County Gathering brought cities together to share ideas and forge new connections. This event emphasized collaboration across jurisdictions, sparking discussions about replicable projects and the potential for collective impact. By facilitating these exchanges, CAFE strengthened its role as a hub for innovation and support in the age-friendly movement.
As we embark on the year ahead, CAFE remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing livability across generations. By providing technical expertise, applied research, and community engagement, CAFE empowers cities and regions to build infrastructure and programs that embody respect, inclusivity, and vitality. Together, we are transforming communities into thriving, supportive places for all.
Here’s to another year of progress, connection, and shared purpose.