Andy’s Updates

Critical Year End Goal: $1 Million Needed by December 31

Dear URM partner,

I reached out to you with an absolute desperate plea in September; if we did not reach our budgeted revenue for July, August & September, we would have to cut back & no longer have Emergency cots on our 1st floor for up to 250 precious souls. We would also have to limit the number of families we could serve. I shared that our hearts wouldn’t let us do that, & your overwhelming unbelievably generous response allowed us to continue welcoming every single woman and family who has come to our door!!

Thank you!!

Instead of a desperate plea, I want to tell you all the good that we will accomplish together this month & next if we make our budgeted revenue for December, $1 Million by December 31st!!

We will be able to;

  • Put up and keep up a heated tent like structure to room for 200 women guests in our back parking lot, complete with 8 restrooms and 8 showers.
  • Add a wing for families on our 5th floor so we will be able to continue to welcome all families who come to our door.
  • Add 15 units of permanent supportive housing at URM’s Hope Gardens for families
  • Continue moving ahead with plans to break ground next spring & build a satellite emergency shelter for 81 families in Compton.

All of this while still continuing to shelter & serve over 850 women and children and 550 men 24/7/365.

This is a big mountain to climb and a lot to ask of you, our partners, but we cannot step back from this FEMA like/Red Cross like disaster.

Let’s continue together to be The Mission that steps up when others step back & steps up to the need even when it seems impossible.

Your co-worker,

Andy B

 

Hope Gardens 4

[Critical] Time is running out to save the lives of women, children, and families

[Critical] Time is running out to save the lives of women, children, and families

I am currently faced with an untenable situation.

 

If Union Rescue Mission does not raise the remaining $350,000 needed by September 30th, just over one week from today, I will have to balance our budget by closing our emergency shelter on the first floor and send 350 single women and men back onto the mean streets of Skid Row. We will also have to cap the number of families with children on our 4th floor and be forced to no longer be the one place in Los Angeles that never turns away a woman or a family with children. Last, but certainly not least, 10 of our URM team members will have to be let go. 

 

Like the rest of our team – I’ve prayed, worked hard to raise funds, and pulled out all the stops to close this gap – but getting there seems impossible. 

 Lives of Women and Children at RISK 3

I’ve tried to wrap my head around sending more than 350 precious souls back onto the streets of Skid  Row and telling 10 team members they will lose their jobs AND I JUST WON’T DO IT!! My heart won’t let me – it is not how God has made me.

 

So, I really need your help. If 2000 of you give or pledge $175.00 or 20,000 give $17.50 before September 30th – we will be able to cover the budget shortfall and we will not have to close our first floor emergency operation. 

 

If we are not able to raise the required funds, whatever amount we are short at 11:00 pm on September 30th, I will pledge to pay this fiscal year, and my Home will go up for sale the next day so that I can pay the pledge – that is how committed I am to the people we serve here at Union Rescue Mission.

 

I cannot remain who I am and make any other decision, come what may.

 The Mission – May 2017 2

 

Please consider what you would do to help – and make a gift at URM.org before September 30th. Thank you for your faithful support of both me and the mission.

Hope Gardens 4