A Season of Renewal, Preparation, and Kindness
- Encourage informed voting with trusted sources
- Promote community preparedness for El Niño
- Support affordable housing development
- Advocate for inclusion and cultural celebration
- 803 Belmont Avenue affordable housing project
- San Mateo County ARPA funding for housing
- Section 8 voucher waitlist
- El Niño winter preparedness and sandbag distribution
- Fiestas Patrias celebration
- Welcoming Week Seeds of Connection Kickoff Party
- Fall Fest at Flood Park
- Connect Community Charter School student visit
Email from Supervisor Lisa Gauthier Read what's new in District 4. September 2026 Newsletter Dear District 4 Community, As we welcome the fall season here in District 4, I’m reminded of how change can be both grounding and inspiring. The cooler mornings, vibrant colors, and familiar rhythms of autumn invite us to pause, reflect, and move forward with renewed purpose. Our community continues to show what it means to grow together with intention, resilience, and heart. This season also brings an important moment for our democracy. With elections approaching, I encourage every resident to take time to review your ballot, understand each measure, and use trusted, nonpartisan resources to prepare to vote with clarity and confidence. When we show up informed, we strengthen our collective voice and help shape a future rooted in equity, opportunity, and care. Please confirm all voting information with trusted official sources such as the San Mateo County Elections Office. Fall is also a beautiful reminder of the power of kindness. In a world that can feel rushed or divided, I invite all of us to be kind to one another, to show compassion, and to practice random acts of kindness whether that’s checking in on a neighbor, offering encouragement, or simply choosing patience in a moment of stress. Small acts of care ripple outward, strengthening the fabric of our community. As we step into this new season, let’s commit to showing up in our civic duties, in our neighborhoods, and in the ways we treat one another. District 4 thrives when we lead with both purpose and heart, and I’m grateful to walk into fall alongside each of you. Warmly, Supervisor Lisa Gauthier San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, District 4 Visit our website for more news and information! GET STORM READY: PREPARING TOGETHER FOR EL NIÑO As we head into the winter months, I want to make sure our families and communities have the information and resources they need to stay safe and prepared. El Niño is a natural climate pattern that can influence our weather and increase the potential for a wetter, more active winter. While we cannot know exactly what each storm will bring, San Mateo County is preparing early. Current forecasts point to an increased possibility of a stronger winter, with coastal and tidal flooding among the concerns we are closely watching. Preparedness starts with simple steps we can take together. Make a plan with your family, put together an emergency kit with food, water, medications, and important documents, know where your nearest sandbag location is, and most importantly, sign up for SMC Alert so you can receive emergency information by text, phone, or email. And as we prepare our own households, I encourage everyone to check in on your neighbors, older adults, and loved ones who may need a little extra help getting ready. Preparedness is something we do as a community, and looking out for one another is one of the best ways we can make sure everyone is ready. Please visit the County’s Department of Emergency Management to learn more. If you need to secure your home with sandbags; residents can get them for free at these locations: Redwood City Public Works: 1400 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063 East Palo Alto Public Works Corporation Yard: 150 Tara Road, East Palo Alto, CA 94303 Menlo Park Fire Station No. 77: 1467 Chilco St, Menlo Park, CA 94025 Melo Park: Burgess Park parking lot at Alma Street and Burgess Drive San Mateo County: Information on sandbags for unincorporated areas and pick-up reservations available at this link. ACROSS THE DISTRICT It was wonderful to celebrate Fiestas Patrias alongside our community! District 4 has a rich history shaped by generations of immigrants and families from across Latin America and beyond who have made our communities what they are today. From our Mexican and Central American neighbors to our Afro-Latino, Indigenous, and multiracial communities, there are so many cultures, histories, and traditions to celebrate. I was grateful to join families, community leaders, and neighbors in honoring that diversity and recognizing the generations of residents who continue to contribute to the culture, strength, and spirit of District 4. This September, San Mateo County celebrated Welcoming Week, a time to bring neighbors together and celebrate the diversity, connection, and sense of belonging that make our communities stronger. We joined the Seeds of Connection Kick off Party, where community members came together for an afternoon of fun, connection, and celebration. The event featured Salsa Fest, community games, local resources, and opportunities to connect with neighbors and community organizations. Welcoming Week is a reminder that everyone has a place in our community, and that building connections across cultures and backgrounds helps create a stronger, more inclusive San Mateo County. What a beautiful day at Flood Park for this year’s Fall Fest! It was wonderful to see families and neighbors enjoying live music, face painting, sports workshops, and connecting with County programs and community resources. Thank you to the San Mateo County Parks Department who organized Fall Fest. Events like this remind me how important public spaces are for bringing people together and building community. If you haven’t had a chance to visit the revitalized Flood Park, I encourage you to come out and enjoy this wonderful outdoor space in District 4. One of the most enjoyable parts of representing District 4 is the opportunity to connect with our young people and help them see how local government touches their everyday lives. This month, we welcomed 4th and 5th grade students from Connect Community Charter School to County Center. Students toured our offices and Board chambers, stepped into the role of Emergency Services workers during a disaster drill, and explored County Departments through a scavenger hunt. Their curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm was the highlight of the day, and I hope the visit showed them that there is a place for their voices and leadership in our community. DISTRICT 4 IN ACTION: COUNTY UPDATES As a strong advocate for affordable housing, I’m excited to see 803 Belmont Avenue add much-needed homes to our community. The development includes 62 affordable homes, including 20 set aside for veterans, with on-site health, wellness, and employment services available to residents at no cost. This project represents a $14 million County investment, including ARPA funding, and demonstrates what is possible when the County, cities, nonprofit developers, and state and federal partners work together. With approximately 15,000 people on the waitlist for Section 8 vouchers, we know the need for affordable housing remains tremendous. Projects like this are an important part of our continued work to ensure residents, including veterans and those who have experienced homelessness, have a safe and stable place to call home. The Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council (BACHAC) celebrated a major milestone with its 30th Annual Men’s and Women’s Health Fair, bringing together residents, healthcare providers and community partners for a day focused on health, prevention, education and connection. On behalf of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, we were proud to present BACHAC with a commendation recognizing their more than 30 years of service and leadership in advancing health equity and improving health outcomes for African American and other historically underserved communities in San Mateo County. Attendees had access to free health screenings, including mammograms, prostate cancer screenings and PSA testing, along with physician-led education sessions and a variety of community resources. Congratulations to BACHAC on hosting its 30th Annual Men’s and Women’s Health Fair. BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS BOARDS AND REGIONS It was an honor to speak at WANDA’s graduation and celebrate an incredible group of single mothers who are building greater financial security for themselves and their families. WANDA’s work empowers women across San Mateo and Santa Clara counties with the tools, resources, and support to achieve financial success and build wealth. Hearing the stories of these graduates and celebrating all they have accomplished was a powerful reminder of what economic mobility looks like in action. When we invest in women and mothers, we are investing in their families, the next generation, and the strength of our entire community. September is Hunger Action Month, an important reminder of the work happening every day to ensure our neighbors have access to nutritious food. My team and I recently joined Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, which serves more than 500,000 people, to see that work firsthand. During our visit alone, 9,200 melons and more than 200 boxes of food were packed and prepared to reach families within 48 hours. And we know the need remains significant. As families navigate changes to CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and public charge policies, Second Harvest is preparing for an increase in residents seeking food assistance beginning this fall. I’m grateful to the staff, volunteers, and advocates who are meeting this moment and making sure our families know they have somewhere to turn. I was honored to join leaders from across California at Cal Cities for a panel discussion on shared prosperity and economic mobility. I shared how San Mateo County is working to turn these ideas into action by listening to residents, understanding the unique barriers facing communities like North Fair Oaks, and creating pathways to good jobs, housing stability, wealth building, and long-term economic security. Our residents experience us as one region, and advancing economic mobility requires cities, counties, employers, nonprofits, and community partners to work together. Shared prosperity means more than creating opportunity, it means making sure every resident can access it. COMMUNITY CALENDAR Join me and the California Black Health Network (CBHN) leadership, members, and community partners for an evening of networking, community building, and conversation focused on Black health and health equity. The event will feature a panel discussion, “H.R. 1 + Your Health: Connecting the Dots,” exploring the intersection of voter education, public policy, and health equity. Attendees will also have an opportunity to connect with advocates, professionals, and community members working to advance Black health. Members and non-members are welcome, and light refreshments will be served. Thursday, October 8 | 5:00–7:00 PM Domini Hoskins Black History Museum 890 Jefferson Ave., Redwood City, CA 94063 Register here! Join me for a docent-guided walk through Ravenswood Preserve at Cooley Landing in East Palo Alto. Enjoy the outdoors, learn about the preserve’s unique natural features, and connect with a Supervisor and neighbors while exploring one of San Mateo County’s beautiful open spaces. The walk will follow a relaxed 2.8-mile route along the Bay Trail, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions and take in the scenery. The trail and observation decks are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Saturday, October 10 | 9:30–11:30 AM Cooley Landing Parking Area, East Palo Alto Trail: 2.8 miles round trip to the North Viewing Platform Space may be limited, so please register in advance here. Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring water, and dress for the weather. There are so many great events happening in District 4, there’s not enough room to list them all! Check out the community calendars below for information on all the exciting happenings in your area. Redwood City East Palo Alto Menlo Park North Fair Oaks COMMUNITY FLYERS If you want to get more insight into what my staff and I are working on, please connect with us on social media. It’s also a great way to interact with our office and to get notifications for upcoming events. Click the icons and like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram. Supervisor Lisa Gauthier San Mateo County, District 4 Follow us on social media. Supervisor Lisa Gauthier | San Mateo County 500 County Center | Redwood City, CA 94063 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice