It was 1986 when 27-year-old Paul Downey became press secretary for San Diego’s Mayor. One day the mayor announced he "volunteered" the entire staff to serve lunch once a month at a local Serving Seniors center. Paul was less than enthusiastic, and wondered what he could have in common with all those "old people."

During his first volunteer experience, Paul found he made a poor waiter but he had a natural ability to chat with the seniors. Paul realized they represented living histories with unique experiences very different than his own upbringing.

"I received a graduate course in life that day and it changed my life," says Paul.

He became an energetic Serving Seniors volunteer and, when the mayor’s term ended, Paul was hired as their President and CEO. His leadership led to the establishment of over 500 low-income senior housing units, a national model for service provision and collaborations that included the first dental office located inside a senior center.

From a reluctant beginning, Paul became a respected, local, state, and national advocate for older persons. In 2020, Serving Seniors—San Diego’s first senior nutrition program—celebrated its 50th anniversary and Paul celebrated his 25th anniversary as its leader.

Paul’s story exemplifies the history of dedicated services for older adults in California.