silver star rooms did not start as a commercial business, but rather as a grassroot collaboration between the texas department of family and protective services (DFPS) and local community non-profits.

the program began around 2003-2004 as a response to a critical gap in the social services system.

before these rooms existed, when an aps caseworker found a vulnerable adult living in neglect--perhaps without food, clean clothes, or basic hygiene products--the worker often had to wait for state funds to be approved or, in many cases, would pay for the supplies out of their own pockets.

the solution: local "community boards" (groups of volunteers and business leaders) began partnering with the state to create dedicated physical spaces--resource rooms--stocked with emergency supplies.

the "silver star" name: the name was chosen to honor "silver citizens" (seniors) and to symbolize the help being a "guiding light" or "star" in a time of crisis.

key milestones in the laredo silver room's history:

• september 2025: foundations board- melissa garza, ray garza, and elisa valadez founded the laredo silver room in laredo, and became a non-profit serving the laredo area. board members ensure to obtain donations, fundraise, and volunteer to ensure the room is stocked.