Vintage Hollywood Annual Gala Helps Westside Nonprofit OPCC Offer Homeless Clients A Recipe For Self-Sufficiency

Online, June 7, 2011 (Newswire.com) - In the spirit of Hollywood's golden age, well-healed guests mill about an exclusive estate as they savor gourmand faire by LA's most celebrated chefs, sample wines from top vintners, and bid on Tinsel Town auction items coveted by even the most jaded industry bigwigs. But that's where the excess ends. The proceeds from Vintage Hollywood's Annual Fundraiser, sponsored in part by Courteney Cox and David Arquette, Marcia Cross and Thomas Mahoney and Ben and Christine Stiller, will directly benefit LA's least glamorous citizens - the homeless men, women and families who are attempting to move off the streets and into lives of self-sufficiency with the guidance and support of Westside nonprofit, OPCC.

"OPCC is a community based support group like no other," said actor and OPCC supporter David Arquette. "OPCC empowers people productively to address the harsh reality of homelessness, mental illness and domestic violence, by offering programs and services that enable these vulnerable populations to return to society's mainstream. They deliver the whole package of love and support in these tough times, to those most in need," Arquette added.

Slated for Saturday June 11th at the Pacific Palisades estate of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Kouba, the Vintage Hollywood fundraiser, now in it's tenth year, will continue the Foundation's mission to support charitable organizations that promote the health and well-being of Southern California's diverse community.

"This year we selected OPCC to be our primary beneficiary because of the nonprofit agency's longstanding commitment to helping the homeless and low income in Los Angeles," noted Vintage Hollywood Foundation President, Arlene Wszalek. "Each year OPCC helps thousands of the most vulnerable Angelenos with innovative housing programs and supportive services that address the complex range of issues underlying homelessness."

"As a community based organization that depends on the generosity of our donors and volunteers to sustain our work, we are honored to be partnering with the dedicated volunteers at Vintage Hollywood on this year's event," enthused John Maceri, OPCC's Executive Director.

Serving as a safety net for Santa Monica's chronically homeless, mentally ill and victims of domestic violence for almost 50 years, OPCC's unique point of difference is that it meets people in crisis where they are, offering a low barrier to entry into anyone of the agency's 10 projects. According to Maceri, "OPCC works with people regardless of their level of disability or severity of challenges as long as they're able to comply with our basic principles of mutual respect among community. With a 94% retention rate, it's a successful model that empowers clients to achieve lives of self-sufficiency - moving off the streets and into permanent housing." Maceri added, "And events such as Vintage Hollywood help us raise the necessary funds and community engagement to continue this important work."

More information, event tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available on the Vintage Hollywood website at http://www.vintagehollywood.org

Since 2001, Vintage Hollywood has raised over a million dollars to benefit our community. Proceeds from Vintage Hollywood go to the non-profit Vintage Hollywood Foundation, which promotes and supports charitable organizations that work to improve the health and well being of Southern California's diverse community. Previous beneficiaries have included JDRF, Save the Children, United Friends of the Children, and Children's Action Network. Advisory board members include Mark Beringer - Winemaker; Suzanne Goin - Chef/Owner of AOC, Lucques, Tavern; Cary Tamura, Proprietor, Diogenes Wines; and Suzanne Tracht - Chef/Owner of Jar.

OPCC, founded in 1963, is the largest and most comprehensive provider of housing and services on the Westside of Los Angeles to low-income and homeless youth, adults and families, battered women and their children, at-risk youth, and people living with mental illness. OPCC provides everything from immediate services to meet people's basic human needs - food, clothing and showers - through case management, mental health services, advocacy and support in obtaining employment and benefits, as well as emergency, transitional and permanent housing. OPCC serves more than 7,000 people annually, empowering them to rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient.

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For more information and interview opportunities, please contact Colette Brooks at cbrooks@bigla.com or 213-713-4333.