Organization Overview
“Prioritizing Equity, Access, and Positive Outcomes”
Bandera County Committee on Aging Inc., DBA The Silver Sage, is a nonprofit organization that has been operating as a Senior Center, Community Center, and Resource Center since its establishment in 1984. As a 501(c)3 organization, it holds a prestigious Platinum designation from GuideStar and Candid, affirming its commitment to transparency and excellence in the nonprofit sector.
The Silver Sage recognizes the value of diverse perspectives and experiences in strengthening its organization and enhancing its effectiveness. With this understanding, the organization is actively seeking to broaden the composition of its Board of Directors and staff, aiming to cultivate a healthy, vibrant representation of the community it serves.
Recent assessments conducted by The Silver Sage's leadership have identified significant service and programming gaps within the region, predominantly stemming from a lack of providers in the rural Texas Hill Country. In response to this pressing need, the organization has expanded its programming and projects beyond the core focus of providing Meals on Wheels. The array of current programming and projects undertaken by The Silver Sage is extensive and diverse, reflecting its commitment to meeting the multifaceted needs of the community. These initiatives encompass essential services such as Vaccine Outreach and Education, Vaccination Clinics, Transportation, Food Distributions, and a Food Pantry. The organization also prioritizes culturally appropriate food access, social services, equal access to public benefits, Hispanic outreach, and senior housing among other endeavors. Additionally, its service area has been expanded to encompass Medina, Real, Uvalde, Kendall, and Kerr counties.
The Silver Sage places a strong emphasis on developing strategies that foster equitable access and positive outcomes in its programs and services. By proactively addressing systemic barriers, racial and ethnic disparities, and other biases that perpetuate food insecurity and economic instability, the organization strives to create a more inclusive and just society.
In an exciting development, The Silver Sage is embarking on a transformative journey towards establishing a new 60-acre campus. Reflecting this change and the organization's expanded scope of services, it will be rebranded as The Hill Country Resource Center. This new name more accurately represents its role as a comprehensive service provider, as it now serves a six-county region within the Texas Hill Country, extending its services to all families, children, veterans, people with disabilities, and others in need. Meals on Wheels will always remain central to its programming, other current initiatives like Vaccinate Bandera and Bandera County Connect will continue to be integral to the new organizational structure.
The upcoming 60-acre campus will encompass several vital components, including The Cottages of Silver Sage—an active senior independent living community offering 68 affordable homes—alongside the new Silver Sage Community Center, Sage Gardens and Farm, and the Food Center. The Food Center, featuring an open-door client choice food pantry, teaching kitchen, and job training facility, underscores The Hill Country Resource Center's commitment to addressing food insecurity and empowering individuals through education and skill development.
In summary, The Hill Country Resource Center, home of The Silver Sage, exemplifies a forward-thinking organization dedicated to serving its community. Its endeavors encompass a broad range of programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals throughout the region, while “Prioritizing Equity, Access, and Positive Outcomes.”