Sally's Fund partnership with OCTA delivers vital transportation services to Laguna Beach seniors

Annual $56,000 funding through Senior Mobility Program enables assisted door-to-door rides for residents 60 and older
 
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., July 10, 2025 – Sally’s Fund and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) have forged a transformative partnership that is keeping Laguna Beach seniors mobile, independent, and connected to their community. Through OCTA's Senior Mobility Program (SMP), Sally's Fund receives $56,000 annually to provide essential door-to-door transportation services to residents age 60 and older.

The collaboration addresses a critical transportation gap for older adults who may not be well served by regular bus routes or ADA paratransportation services. By empowering local communities to develop tailored solutions, the SMP enables Sally's Fund to deliver personalized, community-based transportation that helps seniors maintain their independence and quality of life.

The SMP funding comes from two key sources: OC Go (Measure M), a half-cent sales tax dedicated to Orange County transportation improvements, and the Transportation Development Act, which allocates a quarter-cent of California's general sales tax specifically for public transportation purposes. Cities receive SMP allocations based on their senior population, ensuring resources are distributed where they're needed most.
For Sally's Fund, this partnership has been monumental. The nonprofit has used SMP funding to upgrade and expand its fleet, hire more qualified drivers, and enhance training and scheduling capabilities. What began as a $35,000 annual allocation has grown to $56,000, reflecting both the program's success and Laguna Beach’s growing senior population in Laguna Beach.

"This funding has allowed us to professionalize our operations while maintaining the personal touch that makes our service special," noted Sally’s Fund Executive Director Rachael Berger. "Our drivers don't just provide rides – they're often the friendly face that brightens a senior's day and the reliable connection that enables them to access medical care, grocery shopping, and all-important social activities."

The partnership operates through a carefully structured framework. While Sally's Fund serves as the service provider, the City of Laguna Beach acts as the official grantee, receiving SMP funds from OCTA and contracting with Sally's Fund to deliver services. This arrangement ensures accountability through detailed monthly reporting while allowing Sally's Fund to focus on what it does best – serving seniors.

"The collaboration between OCTA, the City of Laguna Beach, and Sally's Fund demonstrates how thoughtful policy can create real impact in people's lives," said Nabila Guzman, Senior Administrative Analyst for Transportation and Community Services with the City of Laguna Beach. "Every ride we fund represents a senior who can continue living independently, accessing healthcare, and staying connected to their community."

The success of this partnership reflects OCTA's broader commitment to senior mobility across Orange County. By recognizing that one size doesn't fit all when it comes to transportation, the SMP enables communities to develop solutions that work for their unique demographics and geography.

As Laguna Beach's senior population continues to grow, this partnership ensures that age will not become a barrier to mobility and independence. The collaboration between OCTA and Sally's Fund stands as a model for how transportation agencies, local governments, and community organizations can work together to address the evolving needs of our aging population.

About the Orange County Transportation Authority Senior Mobility Program
OCTA's Senior Mobility Program helps close the transportation gap for older adults countywide by supporting community-based transportation solutions. Funded through OC Go (Measure M) and the Transportation Development Act, the program empowers local cities to provide transportation options specifically designed for seniors age 60 and older.
 
About Sally's Fund
Established in 1982, Sally's Fund is a nonprofit that offers Laguna Beach's older adults and people with disabilities assisted and escorted door-to-door transportation service to medical and other appointments within a 30-mile radius. Drivers act as escorts who remain with the client throughout the duration of their appointment and get them safely inside their door once home. Using five branded vehicles with paid drivers plus two volunteer drivers who utilize their own cars, Sally’s Fund provided more than 4,500 free or low-cost weekday trips in 2024. With a lean staff and a team of volunteers, Sally’s Fund operates through donations and grants, including funding from the Orange County Transportation Authority’s Senior Mobility Program. www.sallysfund.org