ORANGE COUNTY PERSPECTIVE : Costa Mesa, Share Yourself

Winter not only brought chillier temperatures to Orange County, but a cold-hearted decision by the Costa Mesa City Council not to help a major charity relocate its programs for the poor. On Jan. 15, the city will evict the food, clothing and financial assistance operations of Share Our Selves (SOS) from Rea Community Center on Hamilton Street. While SOS’s medical and dental clinics will continue operating, the other programs will be disbanded.

SOS’s problems began when residents of the Rea neighborhood complained about people lining up to receive assistance. The council put fuel on the fire by passing an ordinance to withhold city funds from any group, except medical clinics, that serve illegal immigrants--thus creating a them-and-us mentality in the community that further dehumanized the SOS situation. The city deferred implementation of the policy after federal officials threatened to withhold money from Costa Mesa because the policy was discriminatory. But two councilmen want SOS to include a citizenship screening requirement--if it passes legal muster--at its new location. Wisely, SOS Executive Director and founder Jean Forbath refuses, insisting that SOS must have “freedom to serve anyone we wish.”

At present, SOS pays $610 a month to sublet space at the Rea center. The city found a $4,500-a-month space in an industrial area on Superior Street as an alternative site, but residents there protested. In any case, it would have required at least $100,000 from the city over the next five years to operate the center there. On Wednesday, the council voted 4 to 1 against helping SOS, with Councilwoman Mary Hornbuckle dissenting.

It is unlikely that the council will change its vote. Forbath has vowed not to move SOS voluntarily, so a showdown is likely.

It’s hard to believe that SOS would be forced to shut down a major portion of its vitally needed services for the poor. For nearly 20 years the agency has tried to help bridge the gap between government programs and the financial realities of living in a community where rents and the cost of living are sky high. About 200,000 people benefit from SOS assistance each year, including thousands of children. About 300 needy persons are fed at SOS daily, and 200 get free clothing.

Costa Mesa should not shut the door on these people.