Announcements

Thank You, Sarah: A Leadership Transition at SACA

After 10 years as executive director of Silverton Area Community Aid (SACA), Sarah DeSantis is stepping into a new role as Program Officer for the Northern Willamette Valley at the Oregon Community Foundation.

Her last day at SACA is Friday, October 23. Our doors stay open, our team is here, and our services continue without interruption.

A note from our board

For several years, the board and Sarah have talked openly about her hope to one day take on something new. So when Sarah shared that she's been named Program Officer for the Northern Willamette Valley at the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF), we weren't surprised. We were deeply proud.

We had hoped to keep Sarah with us as long as we could. She has led SACA with skill and heart for 10 years, and we know how fortunate we've been. But this is the right time, and we're thrilled for her.

Under Sarah's leadership, SACA grew into the community hub it is today. She reimagined our food pantry as an open, shop-for-yourself space where neighbors choose what fits their household, and she brought trauma-informed care into everything we do. She expanded case management so more neighbors can work one-on-one with staff who walk alongside them to navigate systems and challenges. Sarah also grew our services to include a community laundry program, a weekend food program for kids, and Health-Related Social Needs (HRSN) housing benefits. She strengthened our partnerships with organizations in and around the Silverton area, and she led SACA's move to our new home.

Sarah knew that a team that is well cared for can care for its community. She grew SACA to 11 staff members, including bilingual staff who make sure Spanish-speaking neighbors feel welcome from the moment they walk in. She also made sure the team was supported with better wages, paid time off, a wellness stipend, retirement savings, and flexible schedules.

Sarah will now bring her gifts to communities across the Northern Willamette Valley, including Marion County. So, the Silverton area will continue benefiting from Sarah’s wisdom, passion, creativity, and huge heart.

We'll miss Sarah greatly. Thank you, Sarah, for your years of care and service to SACA and to our neighbors.

SACA Board of Directors

A note from Sarah

To our SACA community,

After nearly 10 years as Executive Director at SACA, the time has come for me to step away and begin a new chapter – I’m moving on to the Oregon Community Foundation in November. An exciting beginning and a bittersweet goodbye.

This place and the people I’ve met along the way have shaped me in such a profound way. I am so grateful to have been a part of this organization for so many years.

What I'll remember most isn't a program or a building. It's the people: neighbors who trusted us with their stories, volunteers who showed up week after week, donors who believed in what we could build together, and a staff with grit, resilience and so much heart for the people in this community.

SACA is in good hands. Our team is strong, our board is committed, and our community knows how to show up for each other. I could not be more proud of our work and our organization.

Thank you for trusting me, for sharing your stories with me, for laughing with me, for crying with me, and for building community with me all these years. It has been my absolute honor to serve this community I love and call home. I am leaving SACA with a full and hopeful heart.

Until we meet again,

Sarah

What this means for SACA

  • Our services continue: The food pantry, case management, community laundry, weekend food for kids, and every other program keep running on their usual schedules. Nothing changes for neighbors who come to SACA.
  • Our team is here: The same staff you know will keep welcoming you, in English and in Spanish.
  • Our board is stepping up: Board members will lead and support the team while we search for SACA's next Executive Director. We're also bringing in experienced outside support to guide staff and the board through the transition, so the day-to-day work stays steady.
  • Our future leadership: We're taking time to assess what SACA’s future needs are and thoughtfully plan for our next Executive Director. We want to find the right person for our team, our organization, and our community.
  • Your support matters: We're heading into one of the busiest seasons of the year. Giving, volunteering, and spreading the word are the best ways to carry Sarah's work forward. Ways to give or Volunteer with SACA

Questions or a note for Sarah?

Reach out to the board at boardcomms@silvertonareacommunityaid.org.

Want to send Sarah a thank-you? Email sarah@silvertonareacommunityaid.org or drop a card at our front desk, and we'll make sure she gets it.