By Lookout Staff

September 29, 2014 –Founded as a small, grassroots community resource center for low-income families in Santa Monica half a century ago, OPCC held a celebrity studded celebration Saturday as a model homeless services agency.

The 50th anniversary fundraiser and musical gala at Santa Monica College’s Broad Stage, was hosted by actor and OPCC Board Member Greg Germann and included performances by comedian Zach Galifianakis and Grammy Hall of Fame artist Judy Collins.

Also in attendance were actor David Arquette and his fiancée Christina McLarty, Assemblymember Richard Bloom, actresses Marcia Cross and Annabeth Gish, filmmaker Penelope Spheeris and former Los Angeles City Councilwoman Ruth Galanter.

"We’re honored the community is coming together to celebrate this important milestone and join with us in our commitment for the next 50 years," said OPCC Executive Director John Maceri.

Since its founding, OPCC has grown to support people in the entire city of Santa Monica as well as West Los Angeles with programs focused on homelessness, poverty, mental illness, domestic violence and at-risk teens.

“OPCC empowers people to rebuild their lives by providing a network of housing and services for low-income and homeless youth, adults and families, battered women and their children, and people living with mental illness,” according to the agency’s website.

OPCC provides basic and emergency services such as food, clothing and restroom facilities to approximately 275 people a day, as well as supportive services that help them stabilize their lives and live independently, OPCC officials said.

The agency’s housing program has helped more than 250 formerly homeless individuals find homes by connecting them with rental assistance from the Santa Monica Housing Authority.

“The focus of our staff and volunteers is to help each person who enters our doors and empower them to move off the street and into permanent housing,” officials said.

As a nonprofit organization, OPCC is bankrolled by private donors as well as government at all levels, including the City.