ESTAR West is changing from a Westside-based coalition into its own fully-fledged nonprofit, appointing former city councilwoman Ana Sandoval as its first executive director.
Sandoval said ESTAR West’s goals remain largely the same: coordinating and collaborating with local nonprofits to benefit the West Side.
ESTAR West, an acronym for Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Thriving Alongside Residents on the Westside, started as a partnership between local nonprofits who wanted businesses to more easily access their services.
The initiative was supposed to connect local businesses with nonprofit support programs and help bring additional investment and development to the historically underserved West Side.
Sandoval said there are a lot of ideas on the table, but that the new version of ESTAR West wants to listen closely to community members to figure out which problems need the most attention. Some of the early issues that have come up are infrastructure, resiliency and displacement.
The organization was started under the auspices of the Aspen Institute in 2022 as part of a nationwide effort to foster social change and was anchored by Prosper West, a nonprofit committed to economic development on the West Side. It also planned to improve buildings and housing without displacing residents, in addition to its business support efforts.
“My hope is to build on the tremendous work that they’ve already done to continue being that catalyst, and to be true to the West Side to do right by it,” Sandoval said.
There’s already good work and important services being offered on the West Side, she said. ESTAR West isn’t planning to take over existing efforts or offer direct services.
She pointed to the organization’s board of directors, which includes community leaders like Henry Cisneros and representatives from advocacy groups like the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center.
“There are many organizations that are still here over the years, and also many champions for the West Side,” Sandoval said. “We’re not here to replace anybody, but to help uplift the work that’s already being done and help fill in gaps.”
One of ESTAR West’s first projects is an anti-displacement study, which Sandoval said will be available to community organizations to help craft solutions.
Westside leaders have also discussed community resiliency and emergency preparedness after storms hit the area this summer and caused injuries, property damage and infrastructure failure.
Sandoval emphasized that ESTAR West is there to support others as they seek solutions.
“There’s no way to be effective when you come forward with your solution alone and try to implement it alone, especially in an area like [ZIP code] 78207, where there’s so much pride of place, so it’s convening and it’s a lot of listening,” she said.
Sandoval served as city councilwoman for District 7, which is to the Northwest of the historic Inner West Side, from 2017 through 2023.
She said she grew up just outside the 78207, but strongly respects the history, pride and culture of the neighborhood. She also said the community doesn’t get the resources it needs.
“There’s clear disparities and there’s long, historical reasons for that,” Sandoval said. “While not the wealthiest part of San Antonio, in many ways, I would say it is arguably the richest part of San Antonio. If you go back in history and the things that have happened here, the folks that have lived here, there’s just like layer after layer, discovery after discovery when you’re in this part of town.”
