SMC Services Offered

St. Margaret's Center’s goal is to provide relief, dignity and support to low-income persons in crisis and to assist individuals through case management and skills development to become more self-sufficient and to achieve economic security. St. Margaret's Center's services include:

• • FOOD PANTRY: Free groceries for eligible households 2x a mo.  By appointment Tues - Fri, 1:00-4 pm.  Sack lunches & hygiene supplies for the homeless, Mon - Fri, 9am-12pm.  Senior (CSFP) food program 3rd Tues of the month.

  • DIAPER PROGRAM: Free diapers once a month for eligible babies and toddlers, by appointment.  Free feminine hygiene products given upon request, when available.

  • COORDINATED ENTRY SYTEM (CES):  Case management and housing placement assistance program for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. 

  • SHOWER PROGRAM: Free showers Mondays, 9am – 1pm. Free haircuts most Monday mornings.

  • MAILING ADDRESS: Unhoused individuals can use the Center for their mailing address and the Center's phone for important calls (e.g. employment, medical & legal needs). Mon thru Fri, 9 am – 12 pm

  • UTILITY ASSISTANCE:  Payment for Gas and Edison bills, when funding available. Call Tuesdays 9:30am

  • VISION SCREENING:  Periodic free eye exams provided by the UCLA Mobile Eye Clinic.

  • MOBILE MEDICAL CLINICS: Venice Family Clinic provides clinical services to unhoused individuals, Mon 9 – 2pm. Claris Mobile Clinic comes on site the third Friday of the month, 8:30 am - 12 pm.

  • COUNSELING SERVICES:  Available with supervised interns.  Spanish-language counseling also available.  Please call St. Margaret's Center for more information. 

  • HEALTH INSURNCE APPLICATION ASSISTANCE:  Information and free assistance in applying for low-cost and free health insurance programs.  MediCal, Covered California and other programs. By appointment only.

  • CALFRESH APPLICATION ASSISTANCE:  Free assistance in applying for CalFresh, including filling out and submitting the application, troubleshooting, help with reporting and follow-up. Mon-Fri.

  • ESL CLASSES:  Small, intensive daily classes for those who would like to improve their English language skills. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 – 10:30 am.

  • CITIZENSHIP CLASSES:  Monday and Wednesday afternoon classes from 2:30 – 5 PM for those who are preparing for their citizenship interview.

  • LITERACY TUTORING:  One-on-one in person and virtual tutoring for literacy or basic reading, writing, and math for  youth, email: tutoringatstmargarets@gmail.com

  • NUTRITION EDUCATION/URBAN GARDENS/PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:  One-on-one and group educational sessions encouraging good nutrition, healthy habits, physical activity and disease prevention.  Virtual walking club Fridays at 10 am. Community garden development in local churches/ schools. Contact nlewis@ccharities.org 

  • IMMIGRATION PROCESSING:  Low-cost immigration processing (petitions for relatives, citizenship, renewal of green cards, DACA, adjustment of status, etc.) Mon, Thu, and Fri, by appointment only.

  • INFORMATION & REFERRAL:  Information and referrals to free or low-cost services, e.g. legal, medical, housing, employment, government programs.  Advocacy with government assistance programs.

  • CHRISTMAS PROGRAM: Christmas party, new toys for children, food for families.