Facey never had much hope for her future. Hope is in short supply when all you’ve ever known is sexual, physical, and emotional violence. Facey’s mother was an alcoholic. In and out of foster care, Facey was molested, often witnessed domestic violence, and was even physically assaulted. Then, at 18, three strangers sexually assaulted her and tried to traffic her. Fortunately, she escaped.“Everyone was always fascinated with the way I looked,” Facey says. “But whenever I looked in a mirror, I didn’t see anything fascinating. All I saw was gross and ugly.”Then it got worse. “I got married and had two kids,” Facey recalls. “For three years . . .
Facey's new future
Thanks to you Facey has real hope
I was a stay-at-home mother. But my husband got more and more abusive. He constantly tore me down and threatened me with guns. By 22, my self-esteem was gone. I felt worthless. When I found out he had an affair, I finally left”
Facey struggled with addiction, low-paying jobs, homelessness, jumping from house to house, and jail. Then she discovered she was pregnant with her third child. She knew her life had to change. She quit drugs and sought help at a Christian women’s shelter before moving to Hope Gardens.“I came here because I knew I needed more stability for me and my kids,” she says. “I needed a lot of emotional and spiritual support, and I found that here.
I thank God for giving me so much grace and allowing me to be His daughter. I found a community of women here who showed me who I really am in Christ. My life is so completely different.”Last Christmas was Facey’s first at Hope Gardens. “It was amazing. It wasn’t about gifts; it was about being surrounded by people who love and care about you. There was just so much love. To me, that’s what Christmas is all about.”Today, Facey has hope for her future for the first time in her life.“I feel like 2022 is going to be my year,” she says.“I’m looking forward to my own apartment for me and my kids, and I’m excited about having more responsibility. I feel like my purpose in life is to help at-risk teenagers. So I’m now looking for a job working with youth in the community. Thanks to Hope Gardens and all the donors, everything is coming together for me. Next year, I’m going to run with it
Match ends Dec 31st
YOUR GIFT WILL BE MATCHED - 2X
Offering true hope and healing to all the families we serve at Union Rescue Mission and Hope Gardens, THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT!
Right now, generous friends of Union Rescue Mission have offered to match every gift we receive before December 31, up to $500,000! The gift you send will be doubled—automatically—to provide twiceas much help for hurting men, women, and children at Union Rescue Mission as they rebuild their lives in 2022. That means TWICE the safe shelter, warm clothing, hot meals, and even hope—but hurry! You must send your gift before December 31! So I urge you, please send the most generous gift you can today.
Thank you
You Deserve a Big Thank-You!
We want to thank you for all that was accomplished and the lives that were changed in 2021—including the number of meals served, number of people served, and number of graduates. Your support of Union Rescue Mission and Hope Gardens has made an extraordinary difference in the lives of men, women, and children devastated by hunger and homelessness. On their behalf, thank you for your compassion and generosity. Here’s just some of thedifference you made in 2021:
361,350 meals served
120,450 men, women, and children served
58 graduates from our life-transformation programs
Meet just a few of the people who have a real future in 2022 because of YOU!
What Does Hope Mean to you?
Ryan:I came to Union Rescue Mission when I was homeless, addicted, and alone. When I came to URM, thanks to the chaplains, counselors, and God’s love, I began to heal. I graduated from the Life Transformation program, and today I have hope for my future, and that future includes returning to my hometown. I’ve already got a great job lined up!
Diane: I came to Hope Gardens with my two sons, Justice and Jaxen. Since then, we’ve been thriving! Being at Hope Gardens has dramatically affected my walk with God. I can focus on Him better and connect with others. The staff are supportive, and you can always count on them for wise counsel. I love it here.
Casey: I had a self-destructive past, and I wanted to die. The pain is still raw. Coming to URM was the spiritual path I needed. This is a place of redemption. I found a new purpose in my life here: to reconcile with others and to do the right thing. Donors like you are saving someone’s life! You are saving my life! Thank you! I do not know your name, but I will not forget your kindness
Yulianna: I’ve been at Union Rescue Mission for a few weeks. Last summer, my kids and I were living on the streets in my car. It was so hot, and the mosquitoes were horrible; it was a really rough time. But we’re safe now. They’re helping me provide diapers, shoes, and more for my kids. Donors like you are the reason why we are here! I’m so grateful for you, thank you! I now dream of getting my own house.
STORIES FROM SKID ROW
To learn more about Roseann’s story and how your gifts have helped her find her way home, visit urm.org/stories.
NOTES FROM ANDY
Our Journey of Hope
The signs of Christmas are all around us now. Behind all those twinkling lights and holiday music, however, is a more sobering reality. Since the moratorium on evictions was lifted, thousands of families are now devastated by homelessness. Many are coming to Union Rescue Mission seeking help, and it will get worse. We’re on the verge of a tsunami, as hundreds of thousands more families, right here in California, are on the brink of homelessness. Yet I have hope as together, we journey through Advent, awaiting our coming Lord and Savior, who walked with us and among us, bearing our struggles and pain. You and I know that men, women, and children facing homelessness have not been abandoned. The God of the universe knows them and loves them, and He is sending people like you and me to care for them. Every day, I see hope reborn in the precious people we serve as they take their first steps into new life in Christ—because that’s what your support has given them. This coming new year will bring some overwhelming challenges, but I thank God for people like you, who stand ready to face these challenges with us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!