Announcing Santa Monica Cares

May 28, 2020 3:19 PM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – Building on last week’s announcement of a new website section and resources for Santa Monica’s economic recovery as well as a presentation before Council on Tuesday, May 26, the City joins local community organizations and residents in rallying together to support Santa Monica’s economic recovery through Santa Monica Cares. Santa Monica Cares is the community-partnered outreach effort for Santa Monica’s economic recovery.  

Santa Monica Cares will provide resources to residents, employees and businesses throughout the city’s recovery journey. These resources will live at santamonica.gov/economicrecovery and will be adapted to meet changing needs. 

“Recovery from the coronavirus health and economic emergency calls upon us to come together on community needs, and the name ’Santa Monica Cares’ tells the story,” said Mayor Kevin McKeown. “This is our challenge, to help one another so that Santa Monica shines once again. With the launch of Santa Monica Cares, I’m proud to witness the resilient, collaborative, and creative spirit that promises our community sunnier days ahead.”

All members of the community are invited to give their input into the City’s economic recovery efforts by filling out a survey designed to collect feedback and ideas. Here’s a look at the additional Santa Monica Cares resources available for the community right now. These build on the resources announced last week and will continue to expand over time:  

Resources for Residents  

While we are doing our part by practicing social distancing to help in the fight against the pandemic, there are ample ways to rally around the spirit of Santa Monica. Now more than ever it is important to buy local and support your favorite businesses. For local restaurant and retail offers as well as ideas and inspiration on virtual wellness offerings, family activities, arts and culture happenings and more, visit santamonica.com/smcares

Show your support for everything that makes Santa Monica special – our neighbors, our cultural institutions, hospitals, culinary scene, first responders, icons, businesses, essential workers, and our lifestyle on social media using #WeAreSantaMonica #BuyLocalSM #SantaMonicaCares. 

Resources for Employees 

The City of Santa Monica’s Economic Recovery Task Force is tracking the latest support programs, skills training and technical assistance available for local employees, including unemployment benefits for employees who have been furloughed or laid off. If you are a current or former employee of a Santa Monica based company, find resources available for you at santamonica.gov/EconomicRecovery/Financial-Assistance.   

Resources for Businesses  

We know it’s not business as usual but helping one another is. As you adapt to the “new normal,” the Santa Monica Cares Business Re-opening toolkit is a comprehensive resource that provides businesses practical tools needed to accelerate re-opening efforts. The toolkit includes printable health and safety guidelines and curbside pickup signage to be displayed in businesses. To aid in communicating proper social distancing guidelines to customers, the toolkit also contains a printable physical distancing circle with measurements, “line starts here,” signage and health and safety posters with additional graphics. 

About Santa Monica Cares 

Santa Monica Cares is a communications and outreach effort led by a partnership of residents and community stakeholders including 18th Street Arts Center, City of Santa Monica, Downtown Santa Monica, Main Street and Montana Avenue Business Improvement Districts, Macerich/Santa Monica Place, Pico Improvement Organization, Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, Santa Monica Pier Corporation, and Santa Monica Travel and Tourism. New resources will be added to the landing page as the journey to economic recovery continues.   

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Media Contact

Constance Farrell
Communications & Public Information Manager
Constance.Farrell@santamonica.gov

Departments

City Manager's Office

More Information

www.santamonica.gov/economicrecovery