Here is a quick video of a recent bell ringing ceremony. One of our donors made a generous gift to Union Rescue Mission. These gifts make it possible for us to provide love and care to our homeless friends in Los Angeles County.
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Homeless shelter to open – Burbank Leader
Veronica Rocha of the Burbank Leader writes about the Homeless shelter that will be operated by Union Rescue Mission.
A winter shelter for the homeless will open Monday for the second consecutive year at the Burbank National Guard Armory, to provide shelter for up to 150 people during the year’s coldest months.
The armory will host the shelter through March 15, said Andy Bales, director of the Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission, which runs the program.
“We really think it’s important to get them out of the cold and rain,” he said.
“Bed shortage forces L.A. County mental health staff to rely on police” – LA Times
Molly Hennessy-Fiske of the LA Times writes about the effect current laws have on the ability of Mental Health workers to effectively assist the mentally ill.
Alarmed by reports that Los Angeles County mental health staff — hobbled by a countywide shortage of beds for the mentally ill — are increasingly forwarding emergency calls to police, commissioners overseeing the department on Thursday asked that a plan to end the practice be presented by early next month.
Department of Mental Health workers have turned to law enforcement officials because hospitals are required by law to take emergency mental health patients transported by police. If a county mental health worker brings a person in for treatment, facilities are not compelled to accept them.
URM’s Andy Bales talks about the importance of utilizing Mental Health professionals in dealing with patients on skid row.
Advocates for the mentally ill and the homeless say that there are not enough hybrid teams to go around and that police who respond alone can aggravate emergencies.
“Folks who are trained to deal with people who are having mental health issues have the experience to calm things down,” said the Rev. Andrew Bales, chief executive ofUnion Rescue Mission on skid row. “Somebody who’s distressed is probably going to panic when they see the police. I’ve been in that situation where I’ve been trying to help someone and they became upset when the police arrived.”
“We are all in this together” – LA Daily News
Andy Bales, the CEO of Union Rescue Mission, wrote an article in the LA Daily News about the current financial difficulties and the effect it has on organizations like URM.
We here at the United Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles are facing extremely difficult times. More folks, especially families, are coming to us in need at this time. We’ve added another floor to house families devastated by the economic downturn, at a time when giving is way down.
We can’t cut back on programs or services because the rest of the world and our fellow human beings need us more than ever.
More middle-class professionals join homeless ranks – LA Daily News
Troy Anderson interviews Andy Bales and some friends of ours at Union Rescue Mission regarding the increase in middle-class professionals who are struggling with homelessness.
Colin never thought he’d wind up on Skid Row.
As a middle-class father and business owner, he had achieved the American dream. But that all came crashing down recently when his coffee-bean importing business went under and the home he was renting in El Segundo went into foreclosure.
With nowhere else to turn, the Westmont College graduate sought shelter for his family at the Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles.
Andy Bales, president of the Union Rescue Mission, said he’s also seeing professionals and other middle-class people coming into the mission who are experiencing homelessness for the first time, including former mission donors.
Economic Crunch Hits Downtown Non-profits – LA Downtown News.com
Richard Guzman writes about the drop in donations to organizations working on Skid Row.
Andy Bales has seen a lot of hard times during his years as CEO of the Union Rescue Mission. But now, the organization that for more than a century has helped those down on their luck is in need of desperate help of its own.
“We’re down about 25% over our normal donations, so we’re barely hanging in there,” Bales said. “I’ve never seen it this bad.”
Homeless man dies after being set ablaze in LA – AP
Raquel Maria Dillon of the Associated Press reports on the sad death of a homeless man in Los Angeles.
Andy Bales, chief executive of the Union Rescue Mission on downtown’s Skid Row, said the incident was “part of a long history of people attacking vulnerable homeless individuals in Los Angeles.”
“They think the person is less than human because they happen to be homeless. I don’t know how you could do that to another human being,” Bales said.
Non-Profits Fret About Their Benefactors – LA Business Journal
Howard Fine of the Los Angeles Business Journal writes about how the economic slowdown is effecting charities like Union Rescue Mission.
Union Rescue Mission on L.A.’s Skid Row provides food, clothing and shelter to more than 1,000 people a day. But thanks to this month’s Wall Street meltdown, some of those people may have to make do with less help.
“We were already off 17 percent in our donations before the latest Wall Street crisis hit two weeks ago and since then, the drop has been even more pronounced,” said Chief Executive Andy Bales. “Everyone is a bit panicked and concerned and holding on to their money. We’re looking at where we can cut, where we can make savings.”
“Historic Charity Group Backs LA Dodgers’ Loney for Clemente Award” – Christian Post
Aaron Leichman of the Christian Post wrote a great article on Union Rescue Mission’s effort to support LA Dodgers’ James Loney for the MLB Roberto Clemente Award.
Union Rescue Mission, which has dedicated itself to serving the poor and homeless since it was established in 1891, is rallying behind LA Dodgers nominee James Loney, who has been active with Christian nonprofit organization.
“I met James Loney during his rookie year, on Christian Day at Dodger Stadium, and he was very friendly and outgoing as he had his picture taken with those of us from KKLA Radio that day,” recalled the Rev. Andrew (Andy) J. Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission, in his corporate blog.
“He and his wonderful teammate, Andre Ethier, have taken an active interest in URM,” he continued. “Andre has even grilled hot dogs on the roof with us, and James Loney has a wonderful outreach with young people in Los Angeles through Loney’s Lounge.”
If James Loney wins the award he will donate $30,000 to Union Rescue Mission. Click here to go and vote for James Joney and help URM receive $30,000.