Month: October 2010

URM on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’

Tune in tomorrow to see Union Rescue Mission and some of our guests featured on CBS’ “The Bold and the Beautiful!”

Recently, URM was approached by the show to help them learn more about homelessness and Skid Row, because they had decided to incorporate homelessness into the story line. Well, they ended up coming down to URM to film and some of our guests even got to be featured on the show!

Everyone had a fun time having the cast and crew join us for a day.  We are also very thankful that the issue of homelessness will be shared with a wider audience.  Thanks so much to CBS and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ for choosing URM to be part of such a special project.

To check out past episodes, including todays, that feature scenes on Skid Row, click here, and be sure to watch tomorrow to see URM on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’!

Paris Hilton Hosts Pumpkin Carving Party

This week, kids at URM enjoyed a Pumpkin Carving and Decorating Party with Paris Hilton as the host!

Paris, along with her sister Nicky and some other friends (including her furry friends dressed up in Halloween costumes!) came to URM bringing pumpkins, dinner, snacks, and craft supplies!

It was a night of fun for the kids and their parents, making crafts, carving pumpkins, and hanging out with Paris, Nicky and their friends. Paris also brought some hair accessories from one of her lines for the girls, which they were all very excited about. 

Thanks so much to Paris and Nicky, and their friends for bringing a night of fun to the kids – it was a welcome distraction. We are so thankful for everything you’ve done! :)

Finding Love: A Story of Transformation, by Roddy

For my blog this week I’d like to do something different. I heard my friend Roddy share his story last Saturday night at a fundraising event.  He was to share, and then I would be the keynote speaker. When Roddy finished sharing his story, the saintly Pastor turned to me and said, “How are you going to top that?” I assure you that I did not top it!

I was struck by a theme that I have encountered many times from men who experience homelessness, men who I have talked with, over 300 men that I have surveyed, and even my own Dad. That common theme or denominator is often the loss of their mom at an early age.

Please read Roddy’s story. I believe you will better understand the struggles of a significant number of precious people experiencing homelessness.

By Roderick Rose

Ezekiel 17:24 (New International Version)

24 All the trees of the field will know that I the LORD bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. ”‘I the LORD have spoken and I will do it.’ ”

I am here today to provide testimony about a remarkable, transformative event. Some of you may have heard my story before…

For the majority of my life I struggled with a poor self image. At the age of five I was abandoned by my mother and raised with a single father and two brothers, and we moved around from place to place because my father was in the military. I found it difficult to make the strong emotional bonds that are so needed in childhood. Socially, I was confused about how to fit in with my peers and suffered a lot of rejection. The most potent rejection I experienced was from my peers in my own race. Many of them told me that I was just too different. I wasn’t acceptable to them and I never could figure out why. I lived my life as an island floating through the oceans of the changing times and spaces. Abandonment and rejection left a deep spiritual and psychological wound that took many years to overcome.

The injuries eventually took their toll on me and when the opportunity to erase that pain presented itself, I took advantage of it. I became a drug addict and alcoholic. I was in my addiction for 8 years. I grew accustomed to being destitute, needy, and unstable, and emotionally disturbed.

In the worst years of my addiction, I came in contact with the Lord’s Lighthouse. As my face became more familiar to some of the staff and volunteers, I got an opportunity to build a relationship with people like Amie Quigley and Pastor Chuck.

Just the fact that two people of God were willing to have a decent conversation with me, with sincerity, I might add, was very encouraging for me. It was like they psychically knew that I longed for a meaningful connection. Their concern for me was evident when they would either take me out for coffee or visit me at my camp site across the street from the Lord’s Lighthouse.

And it was at that campsite, when two years ago, I made my next move. It wasn’t to another city or another state. It was a move downtown to the Union Rescue Mission, where I ran into another servant of the Lord, who I met previously during my time in the streets…Andy Bales, the CEO of the Union Rescue Mission. I enrolled in the Christian Life Discipleship Program there. Two weeks after arriving there, I went to God in prayer, and I asked him this: “Lord, will you save me? Will you take me back into your family? I will follow you now, but I have just one thing to ask of you. Will you please take away the self-hatred that I’ve had my entire life and will you give me joy? Because even though I’m here, I cannot do this program unless you remove this thing from me. If you do that, nothing will stand in my way from serving you”…And guess what? He did!

And after saying that prayer, I had the strength to do the program, graduate from the program, and nowadays I’m completing a one year apprenticeship at the URM. Right now I’m in my second semester of college, I’m starting my own business this coming spring, and I even have a fiancée (her name is Michelle) a woman who truly loves me. It is definitely a wonderful thing to find the woman that God has made for me… I now have more than two years clean and sober.

But I would have to say that my most cherished accomplishment is that I finally realized that God has always loved me and it was God who protected me, even if he had to discipline me, but nonetheless, He loved me and accepted me and brought me into his family. He loved me before I even loved myself. And I thank God now, that the love I have for myself, I can give to others. Thank You and God Bless!

Stories from Skid Row: The Guzmans

Aura and Albert Guzman never expected to find themselves experiencing homelessness. They had a wonderful family and good jobs. But as a family of four with a baby on the way, the economic downturn that caused them both to lose their jobs was more than devastating – it was life threatening.

Their savings didn’t last long and soon they ran out of options. Thankfully, they found Union Rescue Mission where they were able to stay as long as they needed to get back on their feet – together, as a family.

We hope you will take a moment to watch this video to see how lives have been renewed. And please consider giving to Union Rescue Mission to help families like the Guzman’s find their way home this Thanksgiving season.

Stubbs BBQ “Feeds the World”

Last week, we were honored and delighted to have Stubb’s BBQ out of Austin Texas provide all of our guests with a tasty southern BBQ lunch!

The restaurant, which also sells its delicious BBQ sauces and marinades in grocery stores nationwide, went on tour across the country, partnering with homeless organizations to serve up authentic Texas BBQ and Stubb’s sauces.

Stubb, the founder, enjoyed telling people he was a just a cook, but he was also much more than that; he was a lover of people and loved making them happy with his barbeque and sauces.  That is why the company decided to give back by starting their “Feed the World” tour, which travelled the country from April 2010 – November 2010.

Our guests were definitely grateful for the amazing home-cooked meal. Thanks so much to Stubb’s for including us in your generous tour!

My 2nd Annual Night Out on Skid Row

(as told by Rev. Andy Bales through Twitter updates during his night on the streets of Skid Row)

Getting ready to mark @HomelessDay by spending 2night on streets of LA’s Skid Row & I will be tweeting & twitpic-ing my experience.

Spending night on streets of LA’s Skid Row 2night & posting each step of 10 Step Initiative to #endhomelessness HTTP://youarethemission.org


My friend for the night-Sugar Bear! Alias Robert Jackson!

Our temporary homes for the night, on San Pedro St., Skid Row, Los Angeles, California

@RickWarren Orphans & vulnerable children are NOT a cause.Caring for them is a biblical mandate we can’t ignore. To do nothing is sin.

1st Step 2 #endhomelessness , Change the way we think & talk about precious people experiencing homelessness. HTTP://youarethemission.org

2nd Step 2 #endhomelessness , Quit making excuses; Deuteronomy 15:4, There should be no poor in land, if you are obedient & keep open hand.

Friendly group from Teen Challenge & San Jacinto Assembly Church kindly offered us spaghetti at 11 PM! http://twitpic.com/2w9rnq

3rd Step to end homelessness, No One Should Ever Be evicted to the Streets http://youarethmission.org

Have you considered how to mark World Homeless Day @homelessday & what you can do 2 make a difference? HTTP://youarethemission.org

Nice gentleman, Yannick, from Cameroon, stopped 2 chat. He lost tent & only has a sleeping on Towne St. http://twitpic.com/2w9xcz

4th Step to End Homelessness-Services to people experiencing homelessness should be regionalized. Regionalizing the solutions to homelessness. Every neighborhood, City, Region should provide services to their own neighbors!

This group of friendly folks knew Sugar Bear, & asked us to open their tough 2 open pickle jar. We succeeded!

2nd group from San Jacinto Assembly Church came by with offer of food & encouraging words. Amazing change http://twitpic.com/2w9zaa

5th Step 2 #endhomelessness , Faith Communities need 2 partner & mentor families experiencing homelessness! http://twitpic.com/2wa1mh

Police cars & helicopter are searching for someone in big parking lot at corner. Feels like home!

@MichaelRochau Where do you live….Fort Apache, The Bronx? Lol!

I live in Pasadena by 4 liquor stores & bail bondsman. The helicopters lull me to sleep! :)

You wouldn’t believe the # of women, elderly & disabled people out on the streets, experiencing homelessness on LA’s Skid Row. Heartbreaking

Larry hasn’t stayed anywhere for two years. Sugar Bear & I got him a cot & he left his cart & went in URM 2 try again! http://twitpic.com/2wakmj

The fellow driving this white van, in his 60’s, Caucasian with a strong accent, asked us 4 a nickel rock of cocaine! http://twitpic.com/2waaf3

A big reason it’s calmer on LA’s Skid Row is LAPD Community Policing/Safer Cities. 6th Step 2 #endhomelessnes Best practices in policing!

7th step of HTTP://youarethemission.org is regionalizing solution by expanding Winter Shelters to year round! #endhomelessness

8th step- Provide Secure & permanent supportive housing 2 people devastated by long term homelessness http://twitpic.com/2wb3qw

9th Step to #endhomelessness Increase # of Life Transformation Programs similar to URM, LA Mission, & others!

10th and final Step 2 #endhomelessness Job training & a job, the best & lasting solution to Homelessness!

Honored 2 be waiting outside URM at 2 AM as mom w/ 3 little girls, ages 4,2, & infant arrived in cab, probably escaping abuse. Welcomed them

Children should never experience homelessness. It harms them physically, psychologically, educationally, shakes up trust in relationships.

Marking @endhomelessness World Homeless Day 10/10/10 by spending night on LA’s Skid Row &sharing experience & HTTP://youarethemission.org

Just gave my large diet coke to a kind thirsty man named Edward. He was curious about what we were up to and our HTTP://EDAR.org

I took a walk around the block and tried to take a picture of the rats, but they were too fast! I was not comforted when I saw two run into an EDAR much like the one I am staying in.

3 AM & I am finally worn out & maybe ready to sleep for a bit. Still worried about rats the size of cats here on Skid Row in LA.

RT @sonyakeith @abales The first time I was on skid row at night I watched a family of cats for 5 minutes until I realized they were rats

Relieved, my 1 night of homelessness has ended & I am safely home. Sad that isn’t the case for 75K Angelenos & Millions in US including kids

Have you considered how to mark World Homeless Day?

Overall, I was amazed at the difference 1 year and lots of hard work by many has made on the streets of Skid Row. I also think choosing the 9th rather than the 1st of the month was a good choice. Also, spending the night among friends made it so much safer and calmer than last year.

Still, after 1 hour and 20 minutes of sleep, even in calmer conditions, I know it would be a matter of only a few days and I would be desperately in trouble mentally, physically, spiritually and socially.

Blessings,

Shameless About the Gospel

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16-17

I love these particular scripture verses.  I just heard my friend, Enock De Assis, the Missions Pastor of Bel Air Presbyterian Church preach on them last Sunday.  He shared that at a critical time in his young life, when his mom ended her own life, he found faith in Jesus Christ as His Savior and that faith is what rescued him from a life of despair. I can’t share his whole message in a blog post, but wanted to reflect on the words nonetheless.

Union Rescue Mission, myself, and our staff often get questions on why we are a faith-based ministry, why we ask employees and Board members to sign a statement of faith.  At times the discussions are quite critical –we’ve even lost grants and funding support because we are a faith/Christ-based ministry.

Despite the questions and objections and even the loss of funding, we remain a Christ-based ministry, because as the passages above say, the Gospel is where our power comes from.  The Greek word is dunamis, like dynamite!

Lots of people do good things for many excellent reasons.  We at URM do good because of our faith in Jesus Christ.   We are compelled to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.  And yes, we believe, we do all that we do with the superhuman power given to us by Jesus Christ as we believe in and depend on Him.

Some say, “Well can’t you do good without sharing with your guests what you believe?”

We could, but then we would be remiss in not sharing the good news of why we do what we do and who we are. When personally asked this question, my answer is:

“What good is it, if I feed and provide houses for folks but don’t share my faith –the core beliefs that give me purpose and hope and not only keeps me going, but at times, miraculously deliver me, and as we have seen at URM, transform others?”  (I will get to those miracles in my next blog that will focus on “The Righteous shall live by faith!”)

When I first started working at a Rescue Mission 24 years ago, I walked unaware into a controversy.  A Mission with a Christ-based ministry had allowed friends to come onto their board of directors who did not share the same belief in Jesus Christ.  I was a young 27 year-old, brand new to the organization, and seated at the Board of Directors meeting.  I was probably expected to keep my mouth closed which is very difficult for me!

A motion was made and seconded to strike the words Jesus Christ from being mentioned at this Christ-based ministry. The Executive Director, a Chaplain, turned red in the face. I was in shock. I knew Romans 1:16-17 by heart from memorizing it in my youth.  Without hesitation I declared:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes!”

The meeting erupted for a moment.  Some around the table spoke to me in anger.  But the cool calm Chairman of the Board quickly called the meeting back to order.  There was a vote, and it was a draw, 6 to 6. 6 to continue as a Christ-based ministry, and 6 to discontinue speaking the name of Jesus Christ at this particular mission.  A rare tie at a Board of Directors meeting could cause an issue to be tabled for further discussion, or could go to the Chair for a deciding vote.  Our cool calm Chairman, courageously decided to cast a vote.  This man I will never forget voted to continue as a Christ-based ministry, which allowed us to keep preaching the Gospel of Christ, the dynamic power, to those who would volunteer to hear.

This testimony to my friend, the Board Chair, really displays that dynamic power in itself.  I shared this story at his funeral and his family members approached me after the funeral, upset, and proclaimed “that faith thing, that is not what Dad was all about. He was more involved in Union Organizing and you hardly mentioned that!”

So here it was, a man whose closest family didn’t even recognize his faith in Jesus Christ, at a critical moment in the life of a Christ-based ministry boldly cast the deciding vote to keep the ministry Christ-based! Where did that kind of courage come from?  It came from the same source that has kept URM alive and well for 119 incredible years of Christian ministry.  Why would we ever, for any reason, funding or not, withdraw ourselves from that dynamic source of power, the power that comes from our faith in Jesus Christ.