Letter to the Editor
As the immediate past chair of the American Red Cross, Santa Monica Chapter, with current participation at the National American Red Cross level, I have had the pleasure of contributing my time and support to numerous well-deserving, community-based organizations. I am a past board member of WISE & Healthy Aging. I am also an 8 year board member of the Irene Dunne Guild at Providence Saint John’s Health Center. Professionally, I am an artist within the artistic community at the artist studios located at Santa Monica airport, and I have volunteered my time to work with students on art projects at SAMO High.
Whenever a community-based nonprofit closes it doors, such as the YWCA Santa Monica, there is such a tremendous loss to the community, especially when the YWCA has served the community for 90 years.
I encourage the current YWCA board members to thoughtfully consider a charitable acquisition by another community-based, nonprofit social services organization. WISE & Healthy Aging had its adult day care program start at the YWCA site more than 35 years ago, a community collaboration. They are proposing creating an intergenerational day care program honoring the legacy of the YWCA. This would be the first intergenerational day care program on the Los Angeles Westside, and only one of two in the greater Los Angeles region. What an opportunity!
It’s the right thing to do for our community.
Judy Chambers Beck
