In The News

Tonight is Kimberley’s second night at the Culver City winter shelter. Kimberly is 43 and moved to Venice beach less than two weeks ago. She is looking for work, wanting to find a restaurant job. Having work experience in Vegas casinos for the past fifteen years, she is confident in her ability to find a job. In the mean time, she has no place to live.

Having heard about the winter shelter from a man she met on the beach, Kimberly came eager for a hot shower and bed. “This place is a blessing, I’m warm, I’m clean, what more could I ask for?”

Check back tomorrow for another look into the guests of Culver City Winter Shelter.

Jamie has been coming to the winter shelter for 2 months, ever since he last was released from prison. He explained his past as one full of drugs, crime, and having experienced homelessness. In and out of prison his entire life, he has spent over 20 years imprisoned for various crimes. But now,  he is ready to start over.

Since being released, Jamie spends his days on Venice beach playing his guitar and performing on the boardwalk. At 5:30 he catches the second bus to the Culver City winter shelter. “This place is my stepping stone. It is my transition, to get my life back on the line.” He is hoping the shelter will be staying open longer, long enough for him to save up his own money.

Check back tomorrow for another look into the guests of Culver City Winter Shelter.

Azubike Odunze is a hired intake assistant at the Culver City winter shelter, having been employed since the first of December 2010. He helps new guests fill out their intake packets and is available to talk to any guest. Listening to the stories of guests is his favorite part of the job, because he is able to show that he cares to those who most need it. He also helps set up the shelter daily, handling bedding and storage at the armory. After a night of working, he says he goes home uplifted by the guests, saying everyone is “surprisingly upbeat.”

Check back tomorrow for another look into the guests of Culver City Winter Shelter.

Michael is an employed security guard at the Culver City winter shelter, working every day since December 2010. “God put me here for a reason, to help the homeless,” said Hendrikson. He said God placed this job on his heart and he answered to the call. While working security, he has provided 10 guests with job interviews and new job opportunities. His security job involves watching over the guests and checking them at the door for any prohibited items. However, Michael sees his job as an opportunity to encourage the nightly guests and serve them in any way he can.

Check back tomorrow for another look into the guests of Culver City Winter Shelter.

Matt came to California nine months ago from Arizona. He now lives on the streets in Venice, California. Matt, known as “Ghost” to the guests, has been coming to the Culver City winter shelter since the beginning of January and plans to continue coming every night till March.

Check back tomorrow for another look into the guests of Culver City Winter Shelter.

Every winter, the Winter Shelter Program opens four additional shelters run through Union Rescue Mission.

Culver City is one of these four, providing a warm and safe place to those experiencing homelessness in Venice, CA.

This week is a look into the Culver City Winter Shelter, bringing stories of those employed and staying as guests in the shelter. For many, this shelter has become home in the past few months and has served as a transition to a better life. The shelter will be closing March 15, and for many guests of Culver City winter shelter this will be too soon.

A few volunteers and staff members start setting up the armory and preparing for guests to arrive at 4:00pm. Beds are assembled, chairs are set up, bedding is brought out, and televisions are put into place.A truck from URM brings the food prepared and ready to be served.

Jacqunette Goods is the Culver City winter shelter Program Coordinator and oversees the afternoon set up and nightly guest check in table. The guests arrive in two buses starting at 5:00pm and are checked-in and walk through security before going to claim their beds for the night.

Check back tomorrow for a look into the guests of Culver City Winter Shelter with stories of those finding their way home through the provision of the winter shelters.

Caring Ministries visited Union Rescue Mission this past weekend with their “Celebrating Youth” talent showcase. On Saturday, February 12, visitors and URM guests watched the showcase performance including national finalists as well as a few URM youth acts.

Morris Bland, DeMonja Hayes, and Philip and Isaac Hephzibah entertained with an outstanding break dance routine to the song “Pump Up”.

This little performer shared his gospel gift with the audience.

The event was hosted by celebrity figures Alphonso McAuley, comedian movie actor; Harry J. Lennix, a movie and television actor for twenty years; and Camille Winbush, TV series star. After the event, guests received autographs and Whole Foods gift bags.

Caring Ministries mission is to provide a stage to all youth and talents despite any financial hardship. Thank you for visiting Union Rescue Mission and letting us be a part of such a great show!

Thanks to the generosity and hard work of our faithful supporters, please join us in celebrating Rev. Andy Bales as the Fundraising Success Magazine’s 2011 Fundraising Professional of the Year!

The honor was given in part due to the great efforts and miraculous results of our Save Hope Gardens campaign, which helped raise over $3.8 million dollars in just 37 days! Because of generous supporters and Rev. Andy’s persistent message pleading everyone to help us rescue precious women and children from returning to the streets of Skid Row, the campaign raised $1million more than the original goal.