End-of-Month Update: April 2025

Hi, I’m Mark Hood, CEO of Union Rescue Mission, with your End-of-the-Month Update for April.
This month was filled with powerful moments—heartfelt celebrations, meaningful milestones, and inspiring guest stories. Here are a few highlights:
This month on the Just Help 1 Radio Show and Podcast, we welcomed an incredible lineup of guests, including:
  • Betty Porto, owner of Porto’s Bakery and longtime URM supporter, shared her family’s journey from fleeing Communist Cuba to building the beloved Porto’s empire.
  • We also welcomed Rev. Andy Bales, our former President and CEO, blessed our new leadership and reflected on his years of tireless service to people experiencing homelessness.
  • And Mary Davis, founder of Worthy of Love, joined us to share touching stories of children and adults at URM celebrating their birthdays—many for the very first time.
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Don’t miss the show—Thursdays at 6 PM on KABC 790 AM or anytime at KABC.com.
On Saturday, April 5, we witnessed something powerful—15 new graduates of our year-long Emmaus Men’s Recovery Program, walking tall in a procession to mark their resilience, hard work and transformation.
These courageous men overcame addiction, homelessness, and broken pasts to step into new lives built on faith, purpose, and discipline. Your support made their transformation possible.
Easter Week at Union Rescue Mission was filled with celebration, hope, and the promise of new life.
  • At our downtown LA Mission, kids created palm leaves, learned about Holy Week, and explored the meaning of the Last Supper— the significance of the bread and wine and why Jesus said “Do this in remembrance of me” in Luke 22:17–20.
  • At Hope Gardens, Christian Assembly Church hosted a joyful Easter celebration with games, an egg hunt, Bingo for our seniors, and a heartfelt message. We are so grateful for their partnership and heart for ministry.
  • Special thanks to Sandra Solis and the T.A.P. Into The Possibilities team for assembling 300 Easter baskets for children across all sites. Your generosity helped make Easter unforgettable for so many families.
April is Volunteer Appreciation Month, and we’re so incredibly grateful for the volunteers who give so generously of their time and heart. We truly couldn’t do this work without you.
We hope and pray that you feel how important you are to our organization and that you truly understand the great impact you are making on so many lives. Our guests and staff see you, pray for you, and appreciate you.
And speaking of volunteers, right now, we need your help in our Learning Centers! We need volunteer tutors in the following areas:
  • Computer Literacy to help guests learn computer basics like opening apps and sending emails.
  • English reading and language to help adults 18
  • Homework help for students in grades K-8
  • GED & HiSET prep for math, science, language arts and social studies.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer tutor, please visit urm.org/volunteer
Now I’d like to share an important update on the Just Help 1 Concert. We’ve made the difficult decision to cancel the Just Help 1 Concert. This was not made lightly, but in keeping with our commitment to transparency, accountability, and faithful stewardship of every donation entrusted to us.
We know it is only through ongoing, clear communication that we earn your trust, confidence, and continued support. With this in mind, we invite you to join us for the upcoming Just Help 1 5K Run/Walk to Fight Homelessness on June 21 at Griffith Park. Register or donate today.
86% of every dollar raised goes directly to provide shelter, meals, and support to families rebuilding their lives.
Thank you for continuing to walk alongside us in this mission. Your partnership brings lasting change and Christ’s love to those who need it most.
As Hebrews 10:24 reminds us:
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”
May God bless and keep you.

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