Blue Shield of California Foundation has announced a grant of $15,000 to Ocean Park Community Center's (OPCC) Sojourn, California's second oldest continually operating domestic violence shelter, to support their capacity to provide critical services and shelter for survivors of abuse on the Westside of Los Angeles. These core operating funds offer the flexibility to respond to changes and challenges as they arise, so that vital community organizations like OPCC can continue to reach many of the most vulnerable Californians.
"It is a privilege partner with and support California's network of domestic violence service providers, including OPCC said Peter Long, Ph.D., president and CEO of Blue Shield of California Foundation. "Their role in the community is absolutely essential, and we are committed to ensuring they have the resources they need to continue serving domestic violence survivors and their families."
The Foundation understands the importance of unrestricted core operating funds, which can help domestic violence agencies cover important organizational costs during a time when public resources remain scarce.
"OPCC is incredibly grateful for the Blue Shield of California Foundation's generous support that will allow Sojourn to sustain its life-saving and empowering services for both women and children survivors of domestic violence," said John Maceri, OPCC's Executive Director.
This funding is part of a group of grants designed to empower California's domestic service providers and help them continue to make a difference in the lives of thousands of women, children, and families across the state.
Now in its 52nd year, OPCC is the largest social services agency on the Westside of Los Angeles. A non-profit organization headquartered in Santa Monica, OPCC provides highly effective, fully integrated services to the most traumatized, vulnerable and needy members of our community-homeless individuals, victims of domestic violence, at-risk youth, indigent Veterans, and people dealing with severe physical or mental illness or substance abuse. It is the only West L.A.-based agency that offers a comprehensive system of care to solve the complex, multi-faceted problems of this diverse population.
As a result, it has the wide-ranging expertise and programs that enable them to tailor services to the needs of each person, however complicated those needs may be. OPCC offers seven core services that provide support in the areas of housing, domestic violence, physical health, mental health, life skills/wellness, income services and substance abuse. All are designed to improve self-sufficiency, restore dignity, and enable clients to be contributing members of our community, enhancing the quality of life for everyone.
For more information about OPCC, and to see how you can get involved, visit www.opcc.org. To learn more about Blue Shield, visit www.blueshieldcafoundation.org.
