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.
union rescue mission
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.
Dodger’s Andre Ethier to spread holiday cheer throughout Los Angeles
Dodger’s outfielder Andre Ethier will be coming to Union Rescue Mission on Saturday, November 22 to help serve Thanksgiving meals to the homeless.
Ethier will then visit the Union Rescue Mission this Saturday, November 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Los Angeles. The Mission, located at 545 S. San Pedro St., will be a hosting “Thanksgiving in Whoville” event. Ethier will help serve Thanksgiving meals, hand out 1,000 blankets and sign autographs. This is Ethier’s second visit this year to Union Rescue mission. The outfielder kicked out his community initiative to help the homeless at Union Rescue mission in June.
“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.
Fire goes around Hope Gardens homeless facility – LA Daily NewsT
Troy Anderson of the LA Daily News reports on the LA Fires and Hope Gardens.
As 125 homeless women and children fled Hope Gardens early Sunday while a towering wall of wind-fueled flames swept down Lopez Canyon, the blaze suddenly changed course and veered around the rustic facility – leaving a green oasis in the midst of charred landscape.
“The fire captain told me the fire was coming down the hill, burning hot and high, and out of nowhere, it suddenly turned and went around our facility,” Hope Gardens Chief Operating Officer Scott Johnson said. “They have no idea why. We call it the hand of God.”
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.”
Over 1,600 bottles of water given away each day
It’s been a hot summer on Skid Row! We pass out 1,600 bottles of water each day to our friends living on the streets.
“Homeless in America” – LA Times Series
LA Times has written a number of great articles on homelessness and skid row. Here are just a few of the articles:
- “Life on the Streets” – Steve Lopez reports from the streets of skid row.
- “Downtown dwellers vs. the homeless” – When a mental health service wanted to move into their Little Tokyo building, loft residents cried ‘not in our lobby.’
There are a number of great up-to-date articles on the issue of homelessness. Click Here to visit the web page.
“L.A. Council gives early OK to patient ‘dumping’ fine” – LA Times Article
This article written by Cara Mia Dimassa of the LA Times talks about the recent dumping of patient’s on skid row.
“Hospitals that leave homeless patients on Los Angeles streets without their consent would be fined $25,000 under an ordinance tentatively approved today by the City Council.”
“The ordinance would make it a misdemeanor offense for hospitals to transport a patient to a location other than his or her home without written consent. It is intended to end the practice of leaving vulnerable patients on skid row.”
“Costa Mesa hospital accused of long-distance patient dumping” – LA Times Article
May 6, 2008 Los Angeles Times latimes.com
Summary: A mentally ill man, discharged from College Hospital in Costa Mesa, is reportedly taken 42 miles to L.A.’s skid row.