Menu
  • Ways to Give
      • Give Monthly
      • Give Now
    • Donate Crypto
    • Other Ways to Give
    • Gifts in Kind
    • Stock or Property
    • Make a gift in your Will
    • Employer Matching Gifts
    • Thrift Store
  • End Homelessness
    • Problems + Solutions
    • You Are The Mission
    • Stories from Skid Row
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Events
    • More Ways to Get Involved
    • Involve Your Church
    • Distribute Outreach Kits
    • Urban Experience
    • Thrift Store
  • How We Help
    • Levels of Service
    • Emergency Services
    • Gateway Project
    • Life-Transformation Ministry
    • Hope Gardens Family Center
    • Clinics
    • Learning Center
    • If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, we can help. To learn more about our emergency and recovery services, please call us at (213) 347-6300.
  • About
    • Who We Are
    • Statement of Faith
    • Our History
    • Our Team
    • Friends and Partners
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Financial Information
    • Media Center
    • Contact
    • Donor Relations
    • Staff Directory
    • Driving Directions
    • Careers
    • The Latest
    • In The News
    • Rev Andy’s Blog
    • Monthly Video Update
    • The Mission
    • https://urm.org/stories-from-skid-row-video/
    • Media & Press
    • Podcast
    • Follow Us
Top Home Give Today

In This Newsletter

  • PhilipHe’s now on a mission
  • This is the difference you're makingTogether, we can be a blessing!
  • Stories from Skid RowStories from Skid Row
  • How you help transform livesGive to provide Thanksgiving meals
  • Notes from AndyNotes From Andy

HE’S NOW ON A MISSION

After drugs destroyed his past, Philip went out and made some new friends that might surprise you.

Thanksgiving was meant to be enjoyed with family and friends.

So what happens when your addiction to drugs has burned all the bridges to the past and now you have nothing?

In Philip’s case, his “rock-bottom moment” prompted him to seek the help that he thought he would never need — before his life got any darker.

“It’s going to be okay. Don’t give up.”

“I had been smoking (crack) all day and I wanted some more dope, but nobody would give it to me,” he remembers. “That’s when I gave up, telling myself, ‘You know what? I’m tired. I can’t do this anymore. I’m done. I’m tired of living like this.”

Philip came to Union Rescue Mission hoping we could help him get sober — and stay sober — in ways other programs couldn’t.

Not only did he find long-term sobriety here, but he’s working to make a difference in his old neighborhood with others who used to be rivals in different gangs.

“As part of the Compton Initiative, we’ve been all together painting houses and cleaning up the old neighborhood,” he says. “One thing about old gang members: we’re loyal and we’re proud. Now we’re channeling that into something positive for the city of Compton, where I grew up.”

Philip has grown in other ways, too, since coming to URM.

After his father died, he’s rediscovered his faith with the help of our chaplains. “God has forgiven me. I need to learn to forgive myself.”

He’s also grown close to other men at the Mission whom he considers “my brothers” after all the advice they’ve given him.

Then there is his newest group of friends: the families who come to the Mission for something to eat. As a chef in URM’s kitchen, he loves feeding the children. What really lifts his spirits, though, is encouraging moms and dads, especially those who feel like they’ve failed their kids.

“I tell them it’s going to be okay. Don’t give up,” Philip says. “I want them to know help is here. Don’t be afraid to ask.”

Going into Thanksgiving, he’s an entirely new person.

“Overall, I’m just happy,” he says. “I’m thankful the Mission has helped me experience renewal.” He’s especially grateful for donors who give to see lives changed.

“I just want them to know it’s working,” he adds.

HELP TODAY

Your gift will make transformation possible for more precious souls this Thanksgiving. Will you give today?

Together, we can be a blessing!

This Thanksgiving, hundreds of people will come to Union Rescue Mission for a delicious meal of turkey and all the trimmings! The food and volunteers come together to make the day joyful and festive. It’s just an amazing day of serving neighbors on Skid Row with a meal and the love of God — all thanks to YOU!

Slide Thanks to the generosity of good people like you, we will cook up to 500 turkeys the day before our big holiday meal. That’s enough food to bless all of our neighbors this Thanksgiving. Slide The crowds of hungry people who gather at Union Rescue Mission for our Thanksgiving celebration get more than a meal: they get to hear the Gospel and experience the love of Christ, thanks to the kindness of people like you who make it possible. Slide When you volunteer, you make Thanksgiving extra special at Union Rescue Mission. After helping to prepare the meal, our volunteers greet and serve those coming off the streets, offering love and compassion to all.
Help Today
Give someone the opportunity to experience new life this holiday season, starting with a meal. Just $2.54.

THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION TIME LINE

  • SAT., NOV. 10, Thanksgiving Outreach Community invited to join us for our annual Thanksgiving meal Nov. 17.
  • FRI., NOV. 16, TURKEY FRY DAY Volunteers and staff work in shifts, frying up 500 turkeys.
  • SAT., NOV. 17, THANKSGIVING EVENT More than 3,000 meals will be served to our guests and community.
The Mission — October 2018 1

Stories from Skid Row

Angela and her four children were living on the streets for three weeks. Today, Angela and her children have found peace in “God’s land.”

Watch Angela’s video to see how your gift transformed her life.

WATCH MORE STORIES
The Mission — October 2018 2

GIVE TO PROVIDE THANKSGIVING MEALS

This Thanksgiving, every gift of $2.54 provides a meal. PLUS it gives hope that can start someone down the path to new life.

If you have blessed this past year, be a blessing to someone coming off Skid Row and give a generous gift today.

You’ll not only help provide a meal, you might help someone break an addiction, heal from trauma, or find the support they’ve needed to get off the streets for good. Thank you for your support!

HELP TODAY

A meal can be the very start of hope for a hurting person! Please give more meals for $2.54 each today.

NOTES FROM ANDY

This Thanksgiving, celebrate more than just a meal

This year, Nov. 22 isn’t just another Thursday.

It’s Thanksgiving!

This is a time for people coming off Skid Row to lay aside their differences and come together and rejoice in the goodness of God, and the blessings that result from Him first loving us.

This is the time to come together and rejoice in the goodness of God.

I know that many people who step foot inside the Mission on this day will thank God for the good food that’s been prepared especially for them.

But this Thanksgiving, I’d like them to look beyond the meal. To celebrate families coming together, new relationships being forged, and even old enemies becoming new friends.

After all, if Philip (featured in this month’s newsletter) can witness peace between rival gang members from his old neighborhood in Compton, surely there’s hope for those who have been estranged from parents, children, and former spouses.

This Thanksgiving, love and unity are making our holiday meal that much sweeter. Thank you for loving our less-fortunate neighbors the way Jesus loves them.

May Christ’s love fill your heart with gladness.

Blessings,

The Mission – May 2017 5
  • End Homelessness
  • Donate
  • Volunteer

Join Our Community


Sign up to receive heartwarming stories, updates, and more delivered to your inbox.


Union Rescue Mission

We embrace people with the compassion of Christ.

82%
Union Rescue Mission is a 501 (c)(3). 82% of all gifts are put back into life-changing programs. Donor Privacy Policy
Make a Gift
  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Careers
  • Privacy Policy
© 2023 Union Rescue Mission
  • Give Today
  •  Home
  •  Ways to Give
    • Give Online
    • Gifts in Kind
    • Gift Catalog
    • Stock or Property
    • Planned Giving
    • Employer Matching Gifts
    • Thrift Store
  •  End Homelessness
    • Problems + Solutions
    • You Are The Mission
    • Stories from Skid Row
  •  Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Fundraise for URM
    • Involve Your Church
    • Distribute Outreach Kits
    • Urban Experience
    • Thrift Store
    • Events
  •  How We Help
    • Levels of Service
    • Emergency Services
    • Gateway Project
    • Life-Transformation
    • Hope Gardens Family Center
    • Clinics
    • Learning Center
  •  About
    • Statement of Faith
    • Our History
    • Our Team
    • Friends and Partners
    • FAQs
    • Financial Information
    • Media Center
    • Careers
  •  Contact
    • Donor Relations
    • Driving Directions
    • Staff Directory
  •  News
    • The Latest
    • In The News
    • Rev Andy’s Blog
    • Monthly Video Update
    • The Mission
    • Media & Press
    • Podcast

How often would you like to make this gift?