The Westside Coalition’s Response
The People Concern (formerly OPCC) is a founding member of the Westside Coalition. We are 47 social service agencies, governmental agencies, faith organizations and businesses, addressing issues of housing, hunger and health in the communities on the Westside.
We stand in solidarity to proudly support our colleagues and friends at The People Concern in the face of slanderous and unfounded accusations.
A letter containing numerous lies, including “physical and sexual assault,” “altering official records,” “disability discrimination” and patient dumping, was printed in the Palisadian-Post on Dec. 14.
These are serious charges and unfounded claims. The charges are so ridiculous and almost laughable to anyone that knows and works with The People Concern.
We know and care about the staff and clients at The People Concern; we know their leaders, we know their doctors, we know their frontline staff and we know their clients.
Over the years, staff of our member organizations have made many hundreds of unannounced visits to the programs of OPCC/The People Concern without finding any evidence to corroborate these wild assertions. It is an outrage for such absurd charges to be made toward an organization that does so much good for people with great needs on the Westside.
The People Concern is an organization that meets and exceeds the necessary governing oversight and is broadly recognized for its standard of excellence. That sentiment is repeated time and time again, as witnessed by the many responses to the contemptible letter to the editor on Dec. 14. Those responses are made by people that truly know the staff and policies of our partner agency.
We stand wholeheartedly with The People Concern against these slanderous lies and attacks. And we are overjoyed that the hateful comments of two uninformed people have generated such positive attention and support of our friends and colleagues.
Darci Niva | The Westside Coalition
The People Concern
We would like to address the Letter to the Editor that was published in the Dec. 14 issue regarding The People Concern (formerly OPCC).
The claims made in that letter are simply unfounded and not at all reflective of the experiences we have had with OPCC/The People Concern. We know the people there to be compassionate, committed social servants who act with integrity and always put the needs of those they serve ahead of all else.
As members of the Pacific Palisades community, we have had nothing but positive experiences with The People Concern. The People Concern are our neighbors that help neighbors. The have been here to assist the Westside and address the issue of homelessness for over 50 years.
It is because of their values and practices that we have entrusted The People Concern with the responsibility of ensuring that our homeless neighbors are, like its motto states, housed, healthy and safe.
As our service partners of the Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness, they have worked tirelessly in our community in pursuit of our shared goal to reach individuals experiencing homelessness. In just the first year, the results they accomplished in partnership with the Palisades community are dramatic.
The rate of homelessness in Pacific Palisades has reduced by 50 percent because of The People Concern placing these individuals into housing. This has been clearly visible and a massive feat. We are grateful for what they have achieved with us.
Without them treating people with respect and kindness, all this would not have been possible. Without them being well trained in what they do, all this would not have been possible. They have truly made in a difference in our community.
Members of the Pacific Palisades Community & Supporters of OPCC/The People Concern:
Beth Abrams, Chuck Adams, Board Member of The People Concern, Rae Archibald, Board Member of The People Concern, The Rev. Kristin Barberia, Rabbi Amy Bernstein, Terry Bird, Glenn and Tracy Bunting, Rabbi Steven Carr Reuben, Courtney and Martin Caverly, John and Kathy Choi, Leslie and Larry Clark, Helen Cooksey, M.D., Jocelyn Cortese, Phil Darrow, Gina Deutsch-Zakarin, Hunter Doble, Chris Dunkel Schetter, Eric and Debora Edmunds, Jackie Ehlers, Troy Elander, Michael Freehling, The Rev. Bruce A. Freeman, Bill Garland, Sheri Green, Ivy Greene, Dave Higley, Heather Hildebrand and Tim Marble, Rachel Jeffer, Billy Jones, Steaven Jones, Board Member of The People Concern, Mary Ellen and Chris Kanoff, Steven Lewis, Suzanne and Rob Lowe, Nicole and John Mack, Pete Mann Jr., Lucinda and Greg Mariscal, Lawry and Charlie Meister, Tracy Metzger, The Rev. David Walton Miller, Angela and Mark Milstein, Sarah Peterson, The Rev. Christine Purcell, Melissa Rawlins, Carolyn and Michael Rodeno, Luisa and Gary Romoff, Michelle Ross, Marcia and Kacy Rozelle, Merrie Mac and Bleecker Seaman, Eitan Shacham, Shawn Silletti, Charlie Smith, Board Member of The People Concern, Gustaf and Melinda Soderbergh, Brian Temple, Board Member of The People Concern, Amanda and Rick Toland, Peter and Suzanne Trepp, Claudia Vallon, Dede Vlietstra, Carole White, and Daniela Winter
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