Our Mission
The mission and purpose of the Foundation on Aging is to support, fund and further the programs of the Riverside County Office on Aging, and other new and innovative programs that sustain and enhance the quality of life of older adults in Riverside County.
Established in 2004, the Riverside County Foundation on Aging is a 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. The Foundation is governed by an all-volunteer board of directors and has maintained a consistent administrative overhead of 4.5%, ensuring that the vast majority of every dollar raised goes directly to programs that support older adults in Riverside County.
Supporting the County’s Vision for Older Adults
The Foundation works in formal and informal ongoing consultation with the Riverside County Office on Aging, other local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations throughout the County.
Our role is philanthropic: we fund what public dollars cannot, move quickly where gaps emerge, and serve as a fiscal agent for events and initiatives that support the county's older adult population.
Priority Areas
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Grocery Gift Card / Nutrition Support program
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Caregiver Training, Education and Recognition
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Adult Abuse Prevention Programs
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Senior Volunteer Recognition Programs
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Pilot programs to increase caregiver availability and technology access/use
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Direct emergency assistance to groups and individuals presented to the Foundation by County departments, other public agencies and community organizations
Riverside County Office on Aging Partnership Programs
In partnership with the Riverside County Office on Aging, the Foundation also supports:
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren
Gap funding for home-delivered meals pending enrollment in meal delivery programs
Transportation subsidies
Senior Holiday Gift Drive
Non-medical material support
Supplemental senior supportive services in isolated areas of the County
Why It Matters
In 2025, Riverside County was home to about 549,000 adults age 60 and older, 22% of residents. That's up roughly 13% since 2020, when the county had about 487,000 older adults, 20% of residents. The growth is projected to continue: by 2060, the 60+ population is expected to reach nearly 900,000, or 31% of the county and about 85% more than in 2020. The oldest residents are growing fastest. The population age 85 and older is projected to nearly quadruple, from about 39,000 in 2020 to about 152,000 in 2060.
The needs of older adults are countywide. About one in five adults 60 and older lives alone, 11% live below the federal poverty line, and 6% speak no English at all. California's profile of older adults also estimates that 12% of adults 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia, and reports that 60% of low-income households are housing cost burdened. These are countywide figures, not specific to any one community.
To see what older adults tell us they need, and how the Foundation responds, visit our Programs and Impact page.
Source: California Department of Aging, Master Plan for Aging Data Dashboard: Population Projections (California Department of Finance, version 2025.04.25); Profile of Older Adults (U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year estimates, 2023); 2025 Profile of Older Adults: Riverside County. Accessed October 2026.
Board of Directors
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Anna L. Martinez
President/Executive Director
Retired Riverside County Director of Office on Aging after working 31 years in social services for Riverside County. She served in various positions, including Assistant Director of Social Services, Executive Director of In-Home Supportive Services Public Authority, and DPSS Regional Manager. Anna has served on the Riverside County Foundation on Aging Board since 2017. -
Cynthia Lemus
Vice President
A public servant in various positions for over 15 years with the City of Perris Community Services Department, she currently serves as a Community Services Supervisor. Cynthia has served on the Community Action Partnership of Riverside County Board of Supervisors, and the County’s Office on Aging Advisory Council. She earned a BA in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and a MA in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Cal Baptist University. She joined the Foundation on Aging as the liaison to the Office on Aging Advisory Council in 2022 and joined the Foundation Board in 2024. -
Dan Martinez
Treasurer/Golf Tournament Coordinator
Retired County and City Executive. He worked for a total of 31 years in local government, 24 of those years with the County of Riverside in various positions including Deputy County Executive Officer and Managing Director for the County Economic Development Agency. He also served as City Manager for his hometown of Indio, CA for seven years before retiring in 2017. Joined the Foundation Board in 2022. -
Jody Hall Esser
Special Projects Coordinator
Retired following 36 years in local government including 24 years with the City of Culver City in various positions, including Senior Center Director, Community Development Director, and the last 10 years as City Manager/CAO. Post-retirement, part-time Exec. Dir. Westside LA Cities Council of Government, Director of Planning and Development for County of Santa Clara, consultant to cities, counties, and nonprofit organizations. Joined the Foundation Board in 2017, President 2018-22. -
Robin Lang
Member
Retired commercial/business property manager and office manager continuing care facility. Past officer/board member Moreno Valley and Riverside Chambers of Commerce; charter member Keep Riverside Clean and Beautiful. Past member Moreno Valley Rotary and United Way. Current member and past president Moreno Valley Soroptimists. Joined the Foundation Board in 2023.
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Barbara J. Mitchell
Member
Retired Riverside County Mental Health Services Manager of the Department of Behavioral Health. Worked in Behavioral Health for 35 years working with older adults to enhance their lives and maintain them in their communities. Currently President of Joslyn Center Cove Communities and serves on several other nonprofit boards and advisory councils. Joined the Board in 2017.
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Alyssa Colón
Secretary
A data and analytics professional with over 25 years of experience in digital media. She is currently with WPP Media where she leads teams that translate data into strategies for global brands across Consumer-Packaged Goods (CPG), tech and automotive sectors. Since January 2026, she has provided volunteer companionship for VITAS Health Care hospice patients. Joined the Board in 2026.