> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.smdp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Ask not what your community does for you
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/ask-not-what-your-community-does-for-you-editor/
- Published: 2006-09-26T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T21:26:11.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Ocean Park, #archive-import

*By Marguerite R. Spears Santa Monica*

I am responding to the letter by Jeff Bender (SMDP, Sept. 12, page 4), “No place for the mentally ill shelter.” I was saddened to read that Bender refers to that area as a “dumping ground.” The meeting of Friends of Sunset Park cited by Bender was a well-attended and informative meeting about a home for seven young women, ranging in age from 17 to 18 years old. These young women are in the very early stages of mental illness and with the intervention of Step Up On Second will undoubtedly all be able to lead the productive lives they desire. All of the girls will be attending Santa Monica College.

I have lived on 14th Street near Ocean Park Boulevard for 52 years. My daughter attended all the neighborhood schools including Santa Monica College. I am proud to live in a city such as Santa Monica whose leadership is so forward looking and caring. I am grateful this city has such organizations as Step Up On Second, and the other organizations Bender mentioned to provide services for those less fortunate than ourselves. As we hope that we continue to have such good fortune we should think about how we as individuals can help our community to do better.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 26, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092606.pdf?ref=smdp.com)