Media & Press

CONTACT: Kitty Davis-Walker or Judith Alonso 
Mobile: (213) 507-5562 or Mobile: (323) 301-0647
kwalker@urm.org or Jalonso@urm.org

 

Union Rescue Mission

TAKE THE LEAP TO JUST HELP1…
OVER THE EDGE

 

Join Union Rescue Mission as we introduce our new CEO Mark Hood, who will go “Over The Edge” with the rest of the thrill seekers rappelling 25 stories down from the roof of the Hilton/Los Angeles in Universal City on Friday, September 27 & Saturday, September 28. All part of URM’s annual “Take the Leap” to Just Help 1 Campaign fundraising event. To do this, each participant must raise $1,000 or more by 6:00am on Sept 26, 2024!

Why do something so crazy? First, it’s a check off your Bucket List! Second, because it’s not actually crazy, it’s completely safe. And third — most importantly — because the current Crisis of Homelessness can only decrease with everyone working together. It’s a call to action, all hands-on deck and Over the Edge!!

Join the cause by going “Over the Edge” to Just Help 1 in support of decreasing homelessness in the city and county of Los Angeles!  What a thrilling way to raise money to help those devastated by homelessness. SIGN UP TODAY at JustHelp1.org

Union Rescue Mission’s CEO Mark Hood says, “We will go to any height to bring awareness to the homeless crisis so join us in the Over The Edge event to bring awareness and get the message out.  Each One of Us can Just Help 1 and that will make a difference”.

 

Media Photo Opportunities: 

Sept 27, 10am-6pm & Sept 28, 10am-2pm

CATCH YOUR BREATH, STEP UP TO THE EDGE, AND RAPPEL!!

 

About URM

Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving people experiencing homelessness. Established in 1891, URM is the largest privately funded rescue mission of its kind in the United States and the oldest in Los Angeles. URM provides comprehensive emergency and long-term recovery services to our guests to help them escape the dangerous streets of Skid Row and transition from homelessness to independent living.

About URM’s Hope Gardens Family Center

Nestled in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest, HGFC offers a peaceful setting and transitional living to moms, children, and permanent supportive housing for senior women. In addition to food and shelter, HGFC offers the real help women need to escape homelessness forever, long-term rehabilitation programs, job training, counseling, education advancement and securing employment.

 About URM’s Angeles House

Located in South Los Angeles, Angeles House offers transitional bridge housing for up to 86 local families experiencing homelessness. During their transitional stay, we offer food, shelter, clean living spaces, assistance with resources for jobs and housing, on-site child-care, school tutoring with School on Wheels, medical and dental clinics, and Christian/mental health counseling. While at Angeles House our guests will be provided with a safe, supportive environment assuring them that we are here to help each step of the way home.

The Board of Directors at Union Rescue Mission (URM) today announced that Mark Hood has joined the organization as Chief Executive Officer. Hood succeeds the Reverend Andy Bales who retired on December 31, 2023, after nearly two decades of service and leadership at URM. Jeff Hudson, a tenured member of the Board of Directors, has served as the Interim CEO since Bales’ departure. Richard Baker, who formerly oversaw all operations at the mission, has been promoted to President. The new leadership structure positions URM to broaden its impact on those experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.

“Mark brings a passion for helping the neediest and for bringing hope, transformation and recovery to all who seek it at Union Rescue Mission. The demand for URM’s services is at an all-time high, and the strain on our resources is significant. The appointment of Hood and the promotion of Baker are crucial steps in ensuring that the organization can meet the growing needs of our guests. Their collaboration will be instrumental in equipping URM for success in this new chapter. We’re also extremely grateful for Jeff Hudson’s service during this transition,” said Board Chairman David Wood.

 

Mark Hood, previously a senior leader at PPG Aerospace, brings a wealth of experience leading, building, and motivating teams and a passion for positive change to URM. Hood’s tenure at PPG was marked by his expertise in change and risk management, reengineering, and continuous organizational improvement. His functional experience, ranging from engineering to logistics to sales, is critical as URM expands its footprint across LA County. Hood’s key focus will be establishing partnerships, driving growth, and sharing stories of life transformation in the community it serves. Mark and his wife, Donna, have been married for 39 years and are natives of Alabama. They have five children and twelve grandchildren.

“Ever since I stepped foot on URM’s Hope Gardens campus years ago, I felt God calling me to this ministry. I’m humbled by the opportunity to work alongside this team of people committed to treating everyone with the compassion of Christ, and I’m looking forward to being a part of the life transformation that takes place here every day,” said Mark Hood.

 

Richard Baker previously served as Chief Operating Officer, leading the strategic operations for URM since 2022. He rapidly expanded his scope across all three URM locations and is deeply immersed in the day-to-day issues impacting guests and staff. He understands Skid Row and has extensive knowledge of the mission as well as deep ties and connections in Los Angeles. Before joining URM, Richard was a hospitality industry executive with decades of leadership experience.

Richard Baker shared, “URM’s work is unique and challenging, but its impact is so great. Everyday we get to touch the lives of those who live in the shadows of Skid Row and beyond. I’m thrilled to be a part of URM’s next chapter — growing our reach and changing more lives.

Hood’s appointment and Baker’s promotion conclude a national search process completed by the Search Committee in partnership with Bill Peterson at CarterBaldwin Executive Search.

 

About Union Rescue Mission: Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving those experiencing homelessness. Established in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind and the oldest in Los Angeles. It provides a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services, including food, shelter, and clothing; medical and dental care; Christian recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling, and job training for needy men, women, children, and families.