Share Our Selves Finds Peace in New Neighborhood : Charity: Business owners say fears about crime have not materialized. Now some volunteer to help feed the needy.

Paul Schwartz was so apprehensive about Share Our Selves moving near his automotive business over a year ago that he spent $6,000 on extra fencing, lighting and a new guard dog to protect his business.

Before that, Schwartz, 39, who owns Cove Motoring, had spoken several times before the City Council to oppose the move of SOS, Orange County’s largest charity. The move was forced after neighbors of SOS’ former home at Rea Community Center complained about the people attracted to its free food and financial help.

Now, after seeing few changes in the commercial and industrial neighborhood on the edge of the city where his business and SOS peacefully coexist, Schwartz has become a staunch supporter, volunteering 3 1/2 hours every Monday morning to bag and hand out groceries and raising money from suppliers and friends.

“I told (the City Council) I didn’t want it there. You know, drug addicts and alcoholics and nothing but crime is what you’d expect it to produce,” Schwartz said, laughing in embarrassment. “But it’s people who need food.”

SOS provides food, clothing and financial assistance to the needy. It also operates a medical and dental clinic, which opened its doors Monday at the Superior Avenue headquarters. The clinic had continued to operate out of the Rea Community Center location until its new facilities were completed.

Schwartz’s turnabout also signals a change among other business owners who had spent thousands of dollars to fortify their properties and were united in their opposition to the relocation.

Rod Cunha, owner of Dan’s Automotive Service Inc., formed Newport Mesa Concerned Citizens so that residents and business owners could consolidate their efforts in keeping track of SOS’ clients and any problems they might create. The group, which he said claims about 400 members, continues to operate, but at a less-fevered pace than before SOS opened its doors in late 1990.

“I was a lot more hard-core before they moved in,” Cunha admits. “A lot of my fears have not materialized.”

He credited efforts by SOS founder and former director Jean Forbath at getting along with neighbors in helping to ease his fears.

SOS officials have passed out flyers in Spanish and English, asking clients to bypass businesses on their way to the building at 1550 Superior Ave. Because parking is scarce, clients are asked to park outside the lot, while a parking lot attendant for SOS has the duty of moving along loiterers and keeping the lot trash-free.

“We’re working on educating our people,” said SOS Director Barbara Considine. The turnaround by the neighbors is “very admirable. This is something that we’ve always maintained--(that people should) come in and see the real thing. This is not to say that there are not some real concerns, but we try to work on that. They see the larger picture, and we hope it puts the problems in perspective.”

Cunha said neighbors called frequently when SOS first moved in, but few of their complaints were tangible enough to even write down. Even serious complaints would not fall on sympathetic ears at City Hall, Cunha said, because “liberal” elected leaders would not respond.

“There have been some legitimate complaints, but as long as we have the City Council that we have now, it’s not worth it,” Cunha said.

Even so, Cunha said he has a difficult time believing that SOS clients are directly related to any occasional damage or break-ins. Further, the downturn in business he feared two summers ago has been more a result of the poor economy than of the poor people who walk past his auto shop.

Around the corner at BCM Automotive, co-owner Ron Charter has filled two auto parts display cases with canned food for the charity. Charter says he stopped counting at 1,500 cans but estimates the collection is closer to 2,000.

The food drive started Jan. 15 and will continue until March 15. Customers who bring in at least three cans of food receive discounts on their automotive repair.

“A lot of people were worried about (SOS clients) sleeping in cars, but most people come from the bus stops, get their stuff and go home,” Charter said. “I don’t see any loitering, and I haven’t had anything stolen. I’m glad I can actually help.”

The response to the food drive has been surprising, Charter said, with people bringing in 10 or 15 cans when they only have to donate three.

“I think a lot of people after this recession are finding it is a lot easier to give when they see how easily they could be one of (the jobless). It’s hitting a lot closer to home,” he said.