The Mission Newsletter – December 2011

Secrets and Highs

When I came to Union Rescue Mission a year ago, I had no self-respect and no dignity. I had lost everything that mattered to me. I was a broken man — with a lifelong secret.

I was just 6 years old when a teenage girl sexually molested me. When I told my parents, they didn’t believe me. The whole experience left me so traumatized, I started to stutter. And I’ve never been able to stop.

All through school, I got into fights because of my speech impediment. But when I turned 18, I discovered crystal meth — and I felt a rush of power and liberation I’d never experienced before. I didn’t care how I talked or what anyone thought of me anymore. From that first line, I was hooked.

Over the next 18 years, I got married, had three kids and held all kinds of jobs — and I lost every one of them due to my addiction.

My wife threatened to leave me many times, but I was always able to manipulate her into staying. I disappointed her time and again.

I wanted to change. I wanted to be the husband and father she believed I could be. I even went to rehab. Twice. But nothing worked. As long as I held on to my secret, I could not control my addiction.

By July 2010, I was no longer working, my wife and kids had finally left me, and I was losing my mind. One day I woke up on Skid Row, where someone literally took me by the hand and led me to Union Rescue Mission. That day I gave my life to God. In the Mission, I went into counseling, and for the first time, I started talking about my molestation, shame, and years of stuttering. I cried like never before. In time, I forgave the girl who did that to me and forgave everyone who never believed me. And I forgave myself.

Today, I have been sober for more than a year. God has given me back my dignity, self-respect, and even my wife and family. I no longer live in shame — even my stuttering has decreased.

As I head into 2012, I am a new creation in Christ. And my New Year’s wish? I’m going to college to learn how to help at-risk youths deal with their struggles and addictions. But mostly, I just want to stay clean and be the best husband and dad I can be — for the first time in my life

Watch a powerful testimony of Jose’s life Transformation here.

Help End 2011 Strong

Many of our Skid Row neighbors have little hope that their lives will be different in the coming year. In our present economy, how can they hope for something better to come?

Yet throughout our Mission in downtown Los Angeles, and among our families at Hope Gardens — hurting men, women, and children are gaining the skills, courage, and strength they need to hope again. That’s what your gifts mean — hope, as a strong foundation to start their lives over again. Thank you!

Your gift will provide shelter, warm clothes, hot meals — and hope for the New Year.

So I urge you, please send the most generous gift you can today. Thank you!

Click here to help us finish 2011 strong!

Since California’s economy tanked in 2008, the number of people seeking help at Union Rescue Mission has swelled to epic proportions, while our income has fallen to frightening levels. And economic experts predict 2012 will only be worse.

For three-and-a-half years, we tried to meet the needs of everyone experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles and it almost took us under. It’s painful to admit we can’t help everyone. But, we simply don’t have the resources.

That’s why, as we head into 2012, we are determined to focus only on what we do best — helping people who truly want to change their lives through the power of Jesus Christ, by helping folks who want to heal past wounds, get sober, find jobs, and re-enter society healthy and whole.

We won’t save everyone. But we know that hundreds of folks who come through our doors every year will live exceedingly better lives than when they first arrived. I believe that when we do our best, and our guests do their best, God performs a miracle. I expect to see a lot of miracles in 2012.

Blessings,

Rev. Andy Bales, CEO, Union Rescue Mission

URM Receives Walmart 12 Days of Giving Grant

Yesterday, December 19th, Union Rescue Mission was announced as one of the winners of the “12 Days of Giving” Facebook Campaign sponsored by the Walmart Foundation.

“This incredible gift of love from Walmart comes right on time during a season of great need,” said Reverend Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission. “What a difference you’ve made in the lives of our precious families.”

URM would like to thank any one who nominated us for this grant as well as the Walmart Foundation for making a difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness.

“Best Ever” URM Christmas Store

Last Thursday and Friday, URM held it’s 20th annual Christmas Store, which was possibly the “Best Christmas Store Yet”, said Andy Bales.

Parents and kids alike were given the opportunity to come in and shop for each-other.  Our wonderful volunteers took the shoppers through the booths to help them find the perfect gift for their loved ones.

Santa was able to take some time out of his busy schedule and make an appearance.  The kids were absolutely thrilled to get a chance to meet Santa and get a picture with him.

This wonderful event would not have been possible without the help of our wonderful volunteers and all of the individuals, businesses, and churches who have put on toy drives to collect gifts for our guests.  You are deeply appreciated.  Your generosity went a long way and put huge smiles on the faces of many.

As we close in on Christmas Day, we hope that each and everyone of you has a wonderful Christmas remembering the things in life that are truly and deeply important.

A very Merry Christmas to you and yours from URM.

God bless!

For more pictures please Visit the Album Here.

Victory In The Midst Of Challenge

Dear Friends,

Earlier this month we began what will be a year long celebration of Union Rescue Mission’s 120th birthday!  You’ll hear more about our plans in the coming months but as 2011 comes to end, I thought you would appreciate this quote from our history library:

“At a time when bread was only a nickel a loaf, thousands of men, women and children went without. Union Rescue Mission was there for them. In 1910 we served 5,693 meals and helped 875 men find jobs”.

Some might read this and be discouraged.  After all, bread costs a lot more than a nickel and men, women and children are still going without.  But for me, this passage from our history is encouraging reminder of God’s affirmation of our work and His love for people experiencing homelessness.  He has faithfully sustained this ministry for 120 years through wonderful people like you.  I’m humbled and blessed to work alongside you.

Our work here is far from complete.  According to the latest counts, the number of precious people living on Skid Row has doubled since last year.   By years end, URM will have served over 1 million meals.  Thankfully, we have 120 years of victory in the midst of challenge under our belt. We will continue to embrace people experiencing homelessness with the compassion of Christ – giving hope and healing for a changed life – helping them find their way home.

Union Rescue Mission needs to raise $3.5 million by the end of the year to meet the needs of the men, women and children we currently serve; move forward with the expansion of our Women’s Life Transformation Program; and implement a robust Job Training, Job Development and Job Placement Program!

As you consider your final year-end contribution to Union Rescue Mission, I have some exciting news to share with you.  One of our faithful, generous friends has offered to match every gift we receive between now and December 31st up to $200,000.  This means any amount you share will go twice as far. Thank you in advance for giving generously.

May God bless you!

Rev. Andy Bales

Help Portrait Visits URM – Pictures Worth A Million Words

Many of us take for granted the fact that we can pull out a camera and capture significant moments, experiences, and beauty with loved ones around us.  Many guests and program participants at Union Rescue Mission do not have that luxury, and in their case, a picture really is worth a million words.

This past weekend, Help Portrait, with over 300 locations around the world, blessed individuals with the gift of a picture.  There were five Help Portrait locations in LA.  URM was blessed to be one of them.  Over 40 volunteers photographed over 80 people and distributed the photos to the subjects.  These photos tell stories of redemption, reconciliation, gratitude, and love.

Please take a moment to view the pictures and read the powerful captions written by the subjects.

A big Thank you goes out to Help Portrait LA for partnering with URM for a 2nd year and blessing the men, women, and children of URM who are experiencing homelessness this Christmas season.

Hollywood United Methodist Church – Decorating for Christmas

This past week, Hope Gardens Family Center was blessed by friends from Hollywood United Methodist Church.  The lively group filled Hope Gardens with Christmas cheer as they helped decorate with two trees and all the trimmings.  The children of Hope Gardens were given the opportunity to make ornaments and share Christmas goodies while listening to live music.  It was a fun filled day and a blessing to Hope Gardens.  Thanks Hollywood United Methodist Church!

Volunteers Needed for Christmas Store

We are busy preparing for our 20th Annual Chistmas Store, and we need your help! There are opportunities to volunteer at this years Christmas Store on December 15th and 16th – from Gift Wrappers to Personal Shoppers to Kids Store Crafts, there is something for everyone.

Christmas Store allows families in need to shop for their children for free – we have a Main Store for parents to shop for their kids, while kids get to spend time in the Kids Store shopping for mom and dad, taking a picture with Santa, making crafts and more!

If you are interested in volunteering, please click the link(s) below that corresponds with the time(s) you are available. You will need to enter all your individual information in order to be registered; if you are coming as part of a group, please make sure each individual registers through these links. If you have any questions, please email volunteer@urm.org

Thursday, December 15th from 8am-12:30pm —urm.org/christmasstorethursday8am

Thursday, December 15th from 12pm-5pm — urm.org/christmasstorethursday12pm

Friday, December 16th from 8am-12:30pm — urm.org/christmasstorefriday8am

Friday, December 16th from 12pm-6pm — urm.org/christmasstorefriday12pm