By Patricia Hoffman, SMRR Co-Chair and Gleam Davis, Mayor Pro Tem of Santa Monica
One of the many wonderful things about Santa Monica is the wide array of resources available to our residents. Because of sound fiscal policies endorsed by SMRR-supported City Council members, Santa Monica has been able to maintain its strong financial commitment to a large number of programs and agencies that provide vital services to people who may be in need of extra help in these hard economic times. Some of these programs are operated directly by the City. Others are operated by non-profit agencies that get financial support from the City.
Some examples are:
- Youth Programs. In addition to its financial support for the School District, the City operates and supports a number of programs that serve youth. The City offers recreational and academic enrichment opportunities at locations throughout the City. Many of these programs are available to qualifying families at a reduced cost. The City also supports non-profit agencies that work with youth such as the Boys and Girls Club and the Pico Youth and Family Center.
- Legal Aid. By providing financial support to Legal Aid, the City helps it maintain a full time presence in Santa Monica. Legal Aid provides services relating to housing & eviction issues, tenant/landlord disputes, government benefits, consumer rights, naturalizations, family law/domestic violence, and it manages a Self Help Legal Access Center.
- Wise & Healthy Aging. This is a one-stop support center for seniors that offers a wide range of programs including peer counseling, fraud prevention, assistance with money management and tax returns, mental health services, caregiver support, and adult day care including support for those with Alzheimer’s disease.
- Chrysalis. Chrysalis operates an Employment Assistance Center and works with clients to develop resumes as well as job interview and job retention skills.
- Meals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels delivers lunch and dinner to homebound people of all ages. Every delivery includes a daily newspaper, a friendly smile, and a personal connection to the outside world.
- Westside Food Bank. The Westside Food Bank provides food for local families in need. They distribute as much food as possible to local agencies with food assistance programs. They do not distribute food directly to individuals, only to agencies.
It is no accident that Santa Monica is home to these and many other important programs. Santa Monica’s residents are compassionate, conscientious people who repeatedly demonstrate the political will to make helping our most vulnerable neighbors, our youth, and our older citizens a high civic priority. City staff transforms that political will into action by monitoring programs for effectiveness and constantly looking for progressive and innovative methods to meet the current and future needs of all Santa Monicans.
If you or someone you know could benefit from these programs, information about many of them is available on the City’s website. We also are including a full list and contact information for these and all the other non-profits that receive City grants. In these difficult times, it’s good to know that the Santa Monica is a place that cares.
Programs Receiving Funds from Santa Monica for 2011-2012:
| Program | Phone | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Boys & Girls Club of Santa Monica | 310 361.8500 | www.smbgc.org |
| Center for Civic Mediation | 213 896.6533 | www.centerforcivicmediation.org |
| Chrysalis | 310 401.9400 | www.changelives.org |
| Clare Foundation | 310 314.6200 | www.clarefoundation.org |
| Connections for Children | 310 452.3325 | www.cfc-ca.org |
| Common Ground | 310 314.5480 | www.commongroundhiv.org |
| El Nido Family Centers | 818.830.3646 | www.elnidofamilycenters.org |
| Family Service of Santa Monica/Vista del Mar | 310 451.9747 | www.vistadelmar.org |
| The Growing Place | 310 392.9737 | www.growingplace.com |
| Jewish Vocational Service | 323 761.8888 | www.jvsla.org |
| Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles | 310 899.6200 | www.lafla.org |
| Meals on Wheels West | 310 394.5133 | www.mealsonwheelswest.org |
| New Directions | 310 914-4045 | www.ndvets.org |
| OPCC | 310 246.6646 | www.opcc.net |
| Pico Youth & Family Center | 310 396.7101 | www.picoyouth.org |
| Santa Monica College | 310 434.4912 | www.smc.edu |
| St. John’s Child & Family Development Center | 310 829.8921 | click for website |
| St. Joseph Center | 310 396.6468 | www.stjosephctr.org |
| Step Up on Second | 310 394.6889 | www.stepuponsecond.org |
| Upward Bound | 310 458.7779 | www.upwardboundhouse.org |
| Venice Family Clinic | 310 392.8630 | www.venicefamilyclinic.org |
| Westside Food Bank | 310 828.6016 | www.westsidefoodbankca.org |
| Westside Center for Independent Living | 310 390.3611 | www.wcil.org |
| Wise & Healthy Aging | 310 394.9871 | www.wiseandhealthyaging.org |
Agencies Providing Groceries and Food for People in Need:
| Agency | Address | Zip | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Church on Pearl Pantry | 1520 Pearl St Santa Monica | 90405 | 310 990-7208 | 2:30 – 5:30 pm Wednesday |
| Delaware Ave SDA Pantry | 1845 20th St Santa Monica | 90404 | 310 450-0919 | 2:00 – 4:00 pm Sunday |
| Ocean Park Community Center | 503 Olympic Blvd Santa Monica | 90401 | 310 450-4050 | 2:30 – 4:00 pm Tuesday |
| St Anne’s Social Service | 2013 Colorado Ave Santa Monica | 90404 | 310 728-4411 | 4:00 – 5:30 pm Tuesday |
| St Joseph Center | 204 Hampton Dr Venice | 90291 | 310 396-6468 | 9:00 am – Noon Tuesday – Friday |
| Salvaton Army Santa Monica | 1533 4th St Santa Monica | 90401 | 310 451-1358 | 9:00 – 11:30 am Monday – Thursday except 2nd Tuesday |