> ## 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.

# Sea change: OPCC gets $5K for its efforts
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/sea-change-opcc-gets-5k-for-its-efforts/
- Published: 2005-09-28T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T07:49:51.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Community, Downtown, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Daily Press staff*

A local shelter last week was granted $5,000 for its efforts to lift people off the streets. OPCC, a network of shelters that offers services to the poor and homeless, was given the grant by Marianne Dorn and the Dolphin Change Program of the Bayside District Corp., a nonprofit group that operates the downtown Santa Monica and Third Street Promenade.

OPCC is a member of the Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition that works to fight the mounting homeless problem in Santa Monica.

The coalition held its Tenth Annual Success Breakfast last Friday at Bergamont Station where the grant was accepted. The Success Breakfast honored individuals who were formerly homeless and have built lives of self-sufficiency.

The Dolphin Change Program offers an alternative to direct giving for Santa Monica visitors who want to assist panhandlers and the homeless. This is the fifth year a grant has been awarded on behalf of Marianne Dorn. The Marianne Dorn Trust made a significant contribution to the Dolphin Change Program and Bayside District Corp. in 1998\. A memorial grant is awarded annually in Dorn's name from that bequest.

Dolphin banks designed by sculptor Peter Ehrlich are located on the Third Street Promenade, the Santa Monica Pier, Main Street and Ashland Avenue, and the Canyon Charter School. Funds collected at the banks have been distributed in the form of annual grants to a variety of social service organizations. Since 1993, $120,000 in grants has been awarded.

OPCC is a network of shelters and services for low-income and homeless youth, adults and families, battered women and their children and people living with mental illness. Among OPCC’s main programs are the Access Center, Campion Mental Health, Daybreak Day Center and Shelter, k9 connection, Night Light, Safe Haven, Samoshel, Shwashlock, Sojourn Services for Battered Women and Their Children and Turning Point. The money will be used for general operations of the Daybreak Day Center and Shelter.

The Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition works to address the needs of the growing homeless population. The coalition consists of more than 25 human services, faith-based organizations and government agencies that coordinate services, education and advocacy for homeless and hungry people in the western part of Los Angeles County.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/092805-05_02.jpg)

(Photo: Photo Courtesy Actress Wendie Malick)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 28, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092805.pdf?ref=smdp.com)