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# Stepping it up to fight illness
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/stepping-it-up-to-fight-illness/
- Published: 2005-09-24T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T07:49:12.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Events, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

Step Up On Second this year is celebrating 21 years of providing assistance to individuals suffering from mental illness. An art show including more than 60 pieces of art created by members through the “Art Heals” program is headed for the Focus Gallery at Santa Monica Place through the month of October, and is open free to the public.

Step Up On Second is a nonprofit corporation that assists individuals with severe and persistent mental illness reintegrate into the community. The agency provides long-term support to people in recovery and their families, offering educational, social and work programs, quality housing, shower and laundry facilities, and a daily meal program.

Over the past year they have worked with more than 1,200 individuals and prepared nearly 40,000 meals for members.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/092405-10_01.jpg)

(Photo: Photo courtesy)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/092405-10_02.jpg)

(Photo: Photo courtesy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 24, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092405.pdf?ref=smdp.com)