Our theme for October is “What We Do”. This week, the focus is on “Rescue”, which is often the second step in the process of giving hope and healing to those who have been devastated by the effects of homelessness.
We hope that you will listen to the story of Mo and her baby to better understand our Emergency Services, and the role they play in helping people find their way home.
Click here to find out more of “What We Do”.
Blessings,
A new study by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles shows that providing housing for the vast homeless population in Los Angeles may actually save taxpayers’ money. A survey showed that those living on the street may incur more expenses than those incurred by public housing, through more frequent trips to the hospital, mental health clinics, and jail, which are paid for with tax dollars.
Of course, providing public housing isn’t a perfect solution; as with any complex situation, there is no easy fix. The researchers noted that “chronically homeless residents feared that public housing would be taken from them” and it “took time for them to overcome their suspicions. Even so, as they became more comfortable, “their qualify of life improved, with many getting off drugs and alcohol and finding permanent jobs”.
Another major factor to consider is mental illness. “Putting those folks…into housing is nothing but warehousing them without treatment,” says Tony Bell, spokesman for county Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. That being said, the government would need to address “the particular needs of the homeless before their problems become debilitating”.
The United Way hopes to educate the public about their findings, and hopefully, to use them to bring about positive change regarding the issues of homelessness in Los Angeles.
To read the entire article, Click Here.
To learn more about what we offer, click here:
http://urm.org/services/emergency-services.html
To become involved in our outreach services through volunteering, click here:
Last Saturday, September 26th, the Biddy Mason Foundation brought together people from all across the city to celebrate Rev. Dr. Cecil “Chip” Murray’s 80th birthday and assist many people living on Skid Row.
Volunteers gathered in the morning for service projects at Union Rescue Mission and the surrounding area. At 1:00pm, festivities began in the San Julian Park. The afternoon was kicked off with a party for local children complete with face-painting, cotton candy, and snow cones! Over 500 people were able to enjoy hotdogs and hamburgers, meet with a job recruiter, and watch amazing performances by J’n’J Soulful Steps and The Spiritual Hi-Tones. The party was complete with cake and the singing of “Happy Birthday” led by Mayor Villaraigosa. Volunteers also handed out water to Skid Row residents, which was much-appreciated on a hot summer afternoon!
Union Rescue Mission was delighted to be able to be a part of the celebration. Rev. Andy Bales commented, “What an honor it was to be invited to celebrate the One who sent legendary Rev. Dr. Chip Murray to Los Angeles. We were proud to assist Rev. Murray and 1st AME Church as they brought love and hope to the people on Skid Row for his 80th Birthday Celebration.”
Rev. Murray joined the faculty of USC’s School of Religion after retiring from pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church (FAME). Throughout his 27-years as FAME’s pastor, Rev. Murray transformed a small congregation of 300 into an 18,000 person church, with multi-million dollar community and economic development programs that have brought jobs, housing, and corporate investment to many neighborhoods in South Los Angeles. He is known throughout the community for his passion to have African American Church leaders of the Civil Rights generation pass on their years of experience, spiritual authority, and political pragmatism to the next generation. In 2005, he was appointed by Mayor Villaraigosa to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Commission (LAHSA) which coordinates and manages over $70 million annually in Federal, State, County and City funds for programs which provide shelter, housing and services to those experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.
Union Rescue Mission would like to send a warm thank-you to everyone who participated in the celebration; it is always a blessing to join with others to bring hope to those who need it the most.
Associated Press brings to light questions regarding April’s $1.6 million patient dumping settlement. Union Rescue Mission and other shelters affected by the surprise patient drop-offs were awarded a small portion of the settlement, while the bulk share went to an organization unrelated to the case.
By SHAYA TAYEFE MOHAJER (AP)
LOS ANGELES — The city attorney stood on the roof of a homeless shelter high above the human misery of Skid Row in April and announced a $1.6 million settlement from a hospital accused of dumping about 150 mentally ill patients on the streets.
Rocky Delgadillo trumpeted the penalty, castigated those who took advantage of society’s most vulnerable and praised the Union Rescue Mission‘s chief executive as an inspiration for the investigation that led to the settlement.
What seemed like a big payday for the shelter and other nonprofits that have fought homelessness, mental illness and drug abuse on Skid Row for years, however, turned out to be no such bonanza. Instead, the lion’s share went to an organization in Pasadena — a suburb a dozen miles away — to provide grief counseling to school children.
Three months later, the shelters say they can’t figure out why Delgadillo, who finished his term of office last month and is considering a run for state attorney general, let $900,000 go outside the community they serve.
The Mission and three other Skid Row providers received $50,000 apiece, and another group got $100,000. Another $400,000 in fines went to the city and county.
Along with a handful of other shelters, the Union Rescue Mission was essential to discovering the practice of dumping patients — some still in hospital gowns — on Skid Row.
MEDIA ALERT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 TONS OF SNOW WILL COVER DOWNTOWN LA JULY 15TH
SUBWAY RESTAURANTS & SANTA Join Forces with LA Sparks Mascot Sparky
To Create “Christmas In July”
AT THE UNION RESCUE MISSION
LOS ANGELES CALIF. (July 13, 2009) —– On Wednesday July 15, 2009, over 20 tons of snow will blanket the Downtown Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission. Santa will transform URM (545 South San Pedro Street) into a winter wonderland so that more than 200 homeless youngsters –who range in age from 3 to 17, can enjoy a special early Christmas celebration.
“Christmas In July” is sponsored by SUBWAY restaurants and will feature mountains of snow, colorful elves, Sparky and dozens of gaming booths along with treats like cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn and more. Each child will receive a toy from Santa Clause and will also be treated to a delicious lunch catered by SUBWAY.
Festivities will get underway at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 in the San Julian parking lot located just behind the Union Rescue Mission, 545 South San Pedro Street, in Los Angeles. (on San Julian Street between 5th & 6th Streets)
Union Rescue Mission’s CEO, Andy Bales said “I can’t think of a better way to lift the spirits of children who are homeless than giving them an extra Christmas. Santa, snow, toys and lots of snacks and food go a long way in helping children forget, even for a little while that they are living in a shelter and not their own home. Foreclosures have forced so many families into shelters, it just breaks my heart. I’m thankful to Subway for providing this happy time for our kids”
Schedule of Events:
• Children playing in the Snow…………………………………………….11:00 a.m.
• Santa Clause arrives at URM…………………………………………….11:15 a.m.
• SUBWAY Caters Lunch to the Children…………………………………12:noon
For more information contact: Kitty Davis-Walker @ (213) 673-4585 or (213) 507-5562.
About Union Rescue Mission
Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the poor and homeless. Established in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the United States and is the oldest in Los Angeles. It provides a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services, including food, shelter, clothing; medical and dental care; Christian recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling and job training to needy men, women, children and families. For more information, please visit our website urm.org
Union Rescue Mission was recognized as a 2009 top GiftLegacy/GiftLaw charity. With hundreds of thousands of donors getting their gift planning information online, Crescendo Interactive decided to award GiftLegacy sites with substantial numbers of eNewsletter and website contacts. URM was awarded as a bronze-level charity.
Awarded sites had great eContact or page-view rates for three reasons. First, they had a significant eNewsletter distribution that brought donors and advisors to their website to be educated and motivated in philanthropy. Second, they have an easy one or two-click access from their Hope Page to the Planned Giving Home Page. Finally, each charity has a short “easy to type” web address printed on all their royalty-free GiftLegacy eLiterature (print newsletters, brochures, ads and postcards).
See URM’s Planned Giving site at www.urmgift.org and sign up for GiftLegacy eNewsletters and/or GiftLaw eNewsletters for professionals (i.e. attorneys, CPA’s).
Skid Row: Union Rescue Mission
with CEO Andy Bales
Foreclosure Home Articles referenced Union Rescue Mission, stating that the flood of foreclosed homes is primarily leading families to seek emergency shelter.
The flood of homes to foreclosure has left hundreds of families in California homeless and in despair. Most of these homeless families were forced to seek emergency refuge over the winter. In fact, the number of families of foreclosed homes who were seeking emergency refuge in Los Angeles County has increased twice as much as last year.
Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority executive director Rebecca Isaacs pointed out that families bore the brunt of the economic crisis. She cited several factors that trigger homelessness, including increase in rent, eviction, unemployment, domestic violence, foreclosures and health tragedy.
On the other hand, Los Angeles County reported a 4 percent increase in the total number of individuals who sought shelter this winter. The Union Rescue Mission reported a 14 percent rise in individuals and 631 percent increase in families at its four affiliated winter shelters.
Reverend Andy Bales, chief executive officer of the mission, noted that foreclosures are affecting more families than individuals. He added that individuals who recently lost their jobs were more likely to stay with a family member or friend.
LOS ANGELES CALIF. —– On Saturday, April 4, 2009, Soul Studios and the Union Rescue Mission will have its first ever fundraiser at Soul Studios featuring a silent auction of photographs by some of the top celebrity and fashion photographers in the industry. Iconic works by Jack Guy, Bill Curry, Sheryl Nields, Jason Willheim, Alfredo Favo, Gregg Segal, Jordan Nuttall, Scott Miller, Eric Raptosh and Lee Jeffries. The 30+ images, some of them stark and disturbing, some of hope and some of tragedy, are all part of the new Great Recession happening right in our own backyard.
Skid Row in Los Angeles is what many people call the epicenter of homelessness in our Nation. Los Angeles is now experiencing a “tsunami” of families, single dads with children, single women with children and two-parent families coming for shelter at the Union Rescue Mission. Many have never experienced homelessness before. The numbers are incredible – 47% more individuals and over 400% more families than Union Rescue Mission saw last year. 32% more meals served everyday and the number of food boxes given out to local residents is up 7 times.
Union Rescue Mission CEO, Andy Bales said “As I walk down the streets of Skid Row, it looks like a sea of broken hearts. Families priced out of housing, victims of foreclosure, breadwinners downsized out of jobs, women battered out of relationships. But, I think the most heartbreaking people I meet are parents agonizing for their children who bear a terrible burden of fear, illness and insecurity from homelessness. ” He continues “Skid Row is especially difficult and dangerous for women and children, and it breaks my heart to know that as I write this, the numbers of homeless families are growing.”
With the plight of the national economy resulting in decreased donations, Soul Studios owners Sandy and Chuck McKnight are determined to do something to help raise much needed funds. Along with their studio manager Shell Bilyew, the McKnight’s have pledged to make this an annual event.
During the course of the evening, LA Times columnist Steve Lopez will receive the first Hero for Hope award for his support to the Mission. Mr. Lopez was instrumental in helping the Mission secure Hope Gardens Family Center in Sylmar. A bronze bench with Mr. Lopez’s full-size likeness will be placed in the gardens at the Sylmar facility.
Other sponsors for the evening include executive chef Claud Beltran, Digital Fusion, Samy’s Camera, Variety, L.A. Confidential, Surfas, designer Cristina Hasbun, Miller Sherwood Printing, Museum Mounts and My Garden.
For more information contact: Kitty Davis-Walker @ (213) 673-4585 or (213) 507-5562.
About Union Rescue Mission
Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the poor and homeless. Established in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the United States and is the oldest in Los Angeles. It provides a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services, including food, shelter, clothing; medical and dental care; Christian recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling and job training to needy men, women, children and families. For more information, please visit our website www.unionrescuemission.org