You Are The Mission

Gateway Program

A few weeks ago on this blog I explored the options of having people experiencing homelessness pay part of their own way when they come into a Mission or agency for assistance.

I am going to reprint the former blog, share the comments, and after that, I am going to share how you all helped us arrive at what I believe and hope is an excellent path! Thank you!

There has been some controversy over guests paying a fee for services, both nearby on Skid Row and in New York City.  The controversy arose when a local group in LA bought a building, and after a few months began offering a cot and a place to sleep for $125.00 per month.  Some advocates for people experiencing homelessness cried out about the fee, but also in regards to the fact that only the cot and case management was offered, and that there were no shower services or regular food program to go along with the cot.

In New York City a bigger storm arose over the City of New York carrying out a Client Contribution Program, a pilot program to charge guests with an adequate income a gradually growing fee to both sustain the shelter program and to develop responsible choices among the guests.  I have posted the link below:

http://www.villagevoice.com/2007-08-21/news/bloomberg-charges-the-homeless-rent/

“Dusting off an idea dating back to the Giuliani era, the Bloomberg administration has quietly started charging rent to homeless people who stay in emergency city shelters, the Voice has learned.

With no fanfare, Bloomberg officials in June began charging residents of at least four Brooklyn shelters up to 30 percent of their income, records obtained by the Voice show. People who don’t pay could be kicked out of the shelter, the documents show.

Eric Deutsch, a spokesman for the Department of Homeless Services, tells the Voice that the so-called Client Contribution Program is a “very small” pilot program for people with a significant amount of income in the shelter. “We’re trying a variety of new strategies to help families and individuals move towards permanency and into their own homes,” he said.

According to Deutsch, the first month at the shelter is free, with fees rising from 10 percent in the second month to 30 percent in the fourth month. Deutsch said the money goes into a pool that “clients” can draw from when they leave the shelter. But shelter residents say a number of people have already refused to pay the rent fee because they can’t afford it, and because the city hasn’t offered any additional rights or benefits in return.”

At the Rescue Mission I ran from 1986 to 1990 in Des Moines, Iowa, we had a similar practice.  The Door of Faith Mission was established by George Holloway, a man who had a 3rd grade education, spent 37 years on the road without a home, going from shelter to shelter, until he had his life transformed right here at Union Rescue Mission, I believe.  He returned to Des Moines, Iowa, with a philosophy of running mission’s differently:

  • He made it welcoming for the entire day, instead of making people line up at night to come in for a meal and a bed
  • He fed the men well so they could feel good, go out and work, and get help avoiding the temptations of drugs and alcohol
  • He required sobriety from those who lived at the Mission because it is difficult to stay sober when surrounded by the site and smell of alcohol
  • He required the men to work and pay their own way, because people feel better about themselves when they work, and pay their own way. It affirms their dignity, teaches responsibility, prepares them for paying rent when they move, and it provided 1/3 of the needed income for operating the shelter.  The rest of the income came from churches and individuals. The first 3 days were free of charge or paid by the County, subsequently the next 30 day fee was $6.00 per day, then $7.00 per day, and finally $8.00 per day to prepare the men to pay rent.

In effect, I learned everything I know about properly running a Rescue Mission not from my more than 15 years in colleges, universities and seminaries, but almost entirely from a man with a 3rd grade education.

I came to Union Rescue Mission with this philosophy intact, but I have not implemented all of the components of this philosophy as of yet.  I was reminded of George Holloway’s teachings the other day, when a front line staff mention that some guests residing free at Union Rescue Mission have an income of $1,000 and some an income of $2,000 and that it is difficult to watch someone stay free, eat free, and irresponsibly fritter away huge sums of money in the first few days only to be completely broke the rest of the month, while our worker has suffered 2 pay decreases and responsibly struggles to make ends meet.

I’d like to start a dialogue and get your thoughts on this dilemma.  What do you think?  Should Mission guests pay a fee to learn responsibility, prepare for paying rent, and help sustain the Mission’s operating costs during such a challenging time?  Thanks for weighing in!

 

 

 

19 Responses to “Resources, Responsibilities and Rescue Missions”

  1. Myles Rose says:

April 29, 2010 at 6:09 pm

When this is shared via the facebook button the link does not direct to this page, something breaks. Perhaps it is just a timing issue?

  1. Robin Vestal says:

April 29, 2010 at 6:18 pm

It’s tricky; If you decide to charge rent you might have a system where a portion is set aside to help people save to get into housing.
Obviously you don’t want to charge someone who has no source of income but everyone should contribute to their own well being so I dont’ think it’s completely unreasonable for the working homeless.

  1. Andy Bales says:

April 29, 2010 at 6:25 pm

Thank you, Myles. I have forwarded your alert! I appreciate the help. Robin, thank you for sharing your perspective. I also believe a savings plan is important. I really appreciate you weighing in!

  1. Tweets that mention Resources, Responsibilities and Rescue Mission’s | Union Rescue Mission — Topsy.com says:

April 29, 2010 at 6:27 pm

[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rev. Andy Bales, Dave Mahanes and Union Rescue Mission, Myles Rose. Myles Rose said: RT @abales: RT @urm Resources, Responsibilities and Rescue Mission’s http://bit.ly/cOPgDk […]

  1. Kristin says:

April 29, 2010 at 6:49 pm

I appreciate the opportunity to weigh in on the question of whether or not to charge a fee for mission guests. I am in full disagreement with the idea that mission guests pay a fee for their stay. That defeats the purpose of the many hardworking families and adults who stay at the mission in hopes of saving enough money to one day leave and live independently. What about the homeless who do not have jobs? They will have to continue to sleep on the cold cement because they don’t have the means to stay in a shelter that was originally built to support them? I have been donating to the mission for years and will no longer support the mission both financially and with hard goods if the mission decides to switch over to the philosophy of “paying rent.”

  1. Andy Bales says:

April 29, 2010 at 7:07 pm

Thank you, Kristin. I really appreciate you speaking up! Thanks for taking the time and for sharing your passionate response!

  1. Kristin says:

April 29, 2010 at 9:44 pm

You’re so welcome Andy. I truly appreciate what you are doing for our community. You are making such a difference in so many peoples lives.

  1. Roddy Rose says:

April 30, 2010 at 10:25 am

Speaking as someone who has benefited the from the Rescue Mission, I believe that there must be some accountability on the part of those who have an income of 1000. As an apprentice in the internet cafe I see the same faces day after day and month after month. It becomes grievous seeing people get a check on the first of the month, then they are broke after a week or so. Some of the men were at one time in the program but left on their own, only to come back busted and disgusted. Right in front of them is an opportunity to get help(including managing their money. The whole point is that unless one surrenders they will continue on the same cycle and get the same results which unfortunately will be negative results..
I know because that used to be me until I surrendered.
TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

  1. Andy Bales says:

April 30, 2010 at 10:34 am

Thank you, Rod and all. This dialogue is very helpful. Wow!

  1. Michael Bond says:

April 30, 2010 at 9:09 pm

When I heard about the organization charging $125/month, I was told the price included only a cot with a dirty blanket at night and no bathroom facilities of any kind. People were being told to go across the street to the Midnight if they felt the urge at night. What I was told sounded like a total ripoff of relatively defenseless people; it also sounded illegal to me. Of course, if the URM charged people, facilities would be provided and I assume meals as well, so the URM charging doesn’t bother me. Instead, it seems more like a tactical decision: will it help or hurt in the struggle to get people off the streets permanently? And it sounds like it may deserve a trial to see whether it works.

  1. Andy Bales says:

May 1, 2010 at 8:33 am

Thank you for sharing Michael. This input is all very helpful. I hope more people weigh in with diverse views. Blessings

  1. Mary Setterholm says:

May 2, 2010 at 1:31 pm

Hi Rev Andy. Perhaps the naming of the program is critical as it should reflect a covenant perspective rather than ‘taking from’? ‘Free rent’ should not be interpreted as a program of entitlement if, for a season, the service of ‘free rent’ saved a life. That said, at some point, dignity is not realized if one side does all the work: the binary system of elitism/impoverished would seem to be re-inscribed or replicated in an act of well meaning charity. it seems the plan of savings and money management, similar to debtors anonymous might work well.
been there, on the underside, so i speak from continued recovery. blessings!

  1. Andy Bales says:

May 2, 2010 at 3:02 pm

Mary, your thoughts are powerful and right on. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. Bless you!

  1. steven varga says:

May 4, 2010 at 3:51 pm

i appreciate everything the mission has ever done for me thank you

  1. Terrence says:

May 4, 2010 at 4:37 pm

I feel that guests who can afford to contribute for their Services should do so. It will help them gain self-respect and In turn earn the respect of others.

  1. Jerry Thacker says:

May 7, 2010 at 8:32 pm

Hello Reverend Randy Bales:

First of all, I would like to thank the Union Rescue Mission for letting me welcome Jesus Christ into my life and saving it more than once! The Union Rescue Mission has always been available when I needed help the most! Thank you!

Many homeless people want to work, but the self-image they carry within themselves does not allow them to have the confidence that is required in getting a job these days. If the mission could show proof that they actually found a job and walked the person in need to the job site for his or her first day and then the person said that they would rather not work, then there is a possibility that I could see your point. Three days to get a job? Some people need three days to let their feet heal?

I am just writing you this letter to ad my voice on this matter. I already know how qualified the Union Rescue Mission’s staff (all great people) are. I even know that you have already considered the options that I mentioned, but I need pratice in helping others.

Thank you,

Jerry Thacker
yarnwinters@yahoo.com
Pacific Standard Time

  1. Benjamin says:

May 11, 2010 at 9:57 am

30 percent to the Mission, 30 percent to their savings account and 40 percent in there pocket. Most important, they’re getting three meals, showers, beds, medical, dental and counseling for that 30 percent.

  1. Akiliah Manuel Mills says:

May 11, 2010 at 1:28 pm

I lean towards the percentage system Benjamin suggested. A “Program Fee” implies that case management, housing advocacy and life skills training will be offered. These are great services but require staff. I am curious if the mission will hire ample staff, particularly for the men to ensure case management for guests can be accomplished and effective? If so, I see no hindrance. If not, I think it should be called “rent”.

  1. Brenda Mitchell says:

May 24, 2010 at 11:11 am

I propose that those individuals who do have income contribute (at a small percentage of their income, even if it is 10%) to the mission, as a matter of assisting to keep the resources of the mission available for all who desperately need its services. The small contributions from the many would be a way of acting in solidarity with those who could not contribute and could also work in concert with a savings plan to be fully accessed at the time of an individual’s departure. Those who are experiencing homelessness are often the most “in touch” and compassionate with others in the same difficult circumstances, and often wish to assist, in my experience.

First, let me say a huge “Thank You!” to all who read this blog and had the courage and took the time to weigh in! You really helped us.  Everyone’s opinions helped shape a new policy for us, especially former guests’ opinions.  We met with Myles, General Jeff, and Don Garza as well, and that was an amazing and enlightening meeting. We also spoke to our guests here.

 

I have to admit that one of the comments above that really spoke to my heart was Mary’s, “Hi Rev Andy. Perhaps the naming of the program is critical as it should reflect a covenant perspective rather than ‘taking from’?”

This, as well as the meeting with General Jeff, Don Garza, Myles Rose, and my past experience at the Door of Faith in Des Moines, Iowa, and our staffs and guests’ collective wisdom and experience,  helped us develop a new program, all voluntary rather than mandated, called Gateway Transitional Program.

 

Initially limited to 25 men and 25 women, our Gateway Transitional Program is designed to bridge the gap between our Emergency Guest Program and our 12-18 month Life Transformation Programs.  Features and benefits include:

  • A 6-month covenant relationship with a commitment to sobriety.
  • Attendance of classes in money management, job interviewing and job preparation, conflict resolution, assertiveness and time management.
  • Group activities and motivational rallies specifically for Gateway Program participants.
  • A dedicated bed in our men’s or women’s dorm complete with a footlocker for valuables.
  • Hours/curfew will be tailored to the specific needs of each participant, and their bunk area will be considered their space and they will be allowed to rest or study as they can. 
  • Participants will contribute $210 per month to Union Rescue Mission. $60.00 of this contribution will be placed in their own personal savings account. The remaining $150 fee will be used to offset the cost of the Gateway Transitional Program. 

 

Our guests are excited about this new opportunity to move out of the cycle of homelessness, and we are launching this month!  Thanks for taking time to consider, for weighing in, and for truly helping us shape a program that really is a mutual covenant to help our guests and our Mission.  Bless you!  Andy B.

Saved By Grace

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June 25, 2010 |  2:40 pm

Officials at Union Rescue Mission said Friday that they had raised sufficient funds to keep open Hope Gardens, a transitional housing center for women and children in the foothills of the San Fernando Valley.

“I’m feeling great relief,” said Andy Bales, chief executive of Union Rescue Mission. “We’re planning a celebration next month at Hope Gardens.”

Like many nonprofits, Union Rescue Mission has been hard-hit by the recession. Demand for the organization’s services, which include a downtown shelter, has increased 45% in the last two years, Bales said. But by late May, donations were down 21% from last year.

Unless the organization could raise $2.8 million by June 30, the end of the fiscal year, officials feared they would have to close Hope Gardens, which offers homeless women and children a tranquil atmosphere in which to rebuild their lives.

On May 24, Bales issued an emergency appeal for donations through his blog, Twitter, Facebook, text messages and snail mail.

He said key support came from individuals such as Scott Minerd, a managing partner at Guggenheim Partners, who provided $1 million in matching contributions.

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures and he’s really stepped up,” Bales said. “But it’s not just been the big gifts. It’s been other people stepping forward with what they can that has helped get the matching funds.”

The target was reached Friday morning with a $250,000 gift from the Louis & Gladyce Foster Family Foundation, he said.

Bales sent out a celebratory Tweet: “Thanks 2 you http://urm.org has received $2.9 Million towards $2.8 Million goal 2 Save Hope Gardens!”

The next step is to develop a plan to ensure the center remains financially viable, Bales said. All employees have already accepted two 5% pay cuts, and eight people were laid off, Bales said. The organization is also appealing for long-term support from Los Angeles County, which pays for security, counseling and other services at the site.

— Alexandra Zavis

This was the news story last week as you, our donors put us over the top in our fundraising efforts to save Hope Gardens Family Center and keep precious moms and children from returning to the mean streets of Skid Row.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!!

 31 days ago I feared for the worst as I drove home late one night after a Board of Directors meeting at Union Rescue Mission downtown.  I contemplated the fate of not finishing well, retiring in disappointment and disgrace, believing that I might be viewed as a fellow who tried hard, but failed.  It was not a new feeling to me.  6 years after I handed off the reins of Good Samaritan Urban Ministries in Des Moines, Iowa to a capable new leader and committed Board of Directors, this coalition of 120 churches that I had helped form from ground up and nourished for 10 years  closed the ministry and sold the property that we had not only renovated for over 140 previously homeless families, but also battled gangs and crime to provide a peaceful helpful setting for those families.  When I left, I underestimated the continued need for building relationships and the heavy weight of debt that eventually did the ministry in.  That decision that was made to close haunts me to this day, and during our battle to win Hope Gardens, opponents of Hope Gardens brought it up and stuck it in my face and it felt like a knife in the back.

So here I was again.  Our services at URM were up 45% over the last 2 years, and giving had fallen off by over 21%. We were looking at a $4.4 Million shortfall for the budget year that ends June 30th, and there was talk of selling this beautiful place that we had fought so hard for in a 21 month, $1.9 Million dollar legal battle, including 34 neighborhood meetings (beatings), that culminated in a remarkable 6 hour Planning and Zoning Hearing victory!

The worst part of all, I knew that if we closed Hope Gardens, before I could retire in disgrace I would have to have to be the one to tell the moms and children now living in peace and safety, that they would have to find other housing or return to URM surrounded by Skid Row and some of the meanest streets in our country. I was not sure my heart could take it, but I knew that I would have to carry it out.

We reached out to the County Board of Supervisors for help and shared that without their help, not only would we be unable to move 24 more single moms and their children to Hope Gardens, but we would indeed have to vacate the 34 families now residing at Hope Gardens.  We are still waiting and hoping for continued support.

I wrote a plea letter that I promised would be a once in a lifetime request, and based on my health, I truly meant that.  We sent the letter to our donors, posted it on my blog and shared our need through texts, emails, twitter and Facebook.

A kind donor and KKLA Radio Hosts Frank Pastore and Reba Toney provided a powerful radio thon that helped us passionately get out the word and we raised close to $70,000.

I drove to Santa Monica on May 24th a tired, broken, fearful yet hopeful man and met with our friend Scott Minerd.  He had called and asked me what we needed to save Hope Gardens, and I shocked him by saying that we needed $2.8 Million by June 30th to have any hope of saving Hope Gardens.  He told me a sweet story of how he wanted to bring his friends dog for a walk around Hope Gardens, but the dog had died of cancer. Tears welled up in his eyes as he told me that his friend had gone to the pound to find another dog, but the dog he picked out was mean, and he left the dog at the pound. Later that day the pound called his friend and said that the mean dog would be disposed of in a few hours since he was not adopted. Before he finished I knew what this huge hearted man was going to tell me.  Scott was now owner of that once hurt and aggressive dog, and he had named her grace, because she was saved by grace!

I asked Scott, no I begged Scott to allow us to honor him as our 2010 Hero 4 Hope. He was not keen on the idea, but said he would consider being the Hero 4 Hope if it would help.  Before I left, this giant of a man with an even  bigger heart told me that he would provide a gift of $250,000 that would be a challenge gift asking for others to match. He gave me a hug, and assured me that we had to do everything possible because, “we cannot let Hope Gardens close!”  I began to feel hopeful that a miracle was coming!

When we honored Scott as the Hero 4 Hope, we surprised him by having a partner of his who had flown in from Chicago say a few words. Scott was surprised, but he had a bigger surprise for me. He said, “I had a dream last night. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and in the dream I matched up to $500,000 of whatever was given at this event today!” I was amazed, but Scott was not done.  “Beyond that, I dreamed I would match any single gift of $250,000!”  I really began to have hope!  When that gift was matched by wonderful friends of the Mission, Scott said, “I did not tell you the rest of the dream. I dreamed the 1st $250,000 was matched and I offered a second match of $250,000.”  Not only did my faith grow at that moment, but I knew that indeed we were experiencing a miracle of love and that there was great hope for the moms and kids at Hope Gardens Family Center.

Like Scott, thousands have responded in their own special way.  A formerly homeless friend named Don who now has a home and has completely rebuilt his life became a monthly donor; a colorful builder of amps and guitars for premiere artists around the country, Myles, reached out to his network of friends, and you all gave what you could. Pastor Steve Faubion of Calvary Church Pacific Palisades presented us with a check for $25,000 from the church and shared that when the mission was hurting, they were hurting.  In addition the children at Calvary Christian school raised over $5000 when they were told they could wear jeans to school for a $10 donation! Early last week we were getting close when Pauley Perette, star of the top show on TV, NCIS, and a volunteer at Hope Gardens contacted me and said she wanted to help save Hope Gardens!  She joined twitter, something she had opposed for a long time, and with the help of a friend she posted a Youtube video asking her friends to join her in saving the most beautiful place on earth, a place where previously homeless moms and kids live a life of peace and hope.  We gained a huge amount of momentum from Pauley. It was remarkable.  Friday morning, June 25th, just 31 days after launching what seemed like an impossible attempt to raise $2.8 Million, a check for $250,000 came in from the Louis and Gladyce Foster Foundation, 1 week after the Foster family lost their wonderful matriarch, Gladyce at the age of 90.  She and her husband had given the cornerstone gift for our URM downtown building, the largest Mission in the US. Amidst their sorrow, they took the time and shared what they had putting us over the top, to $2.9 plus and counting!

Instead of having the dreadful task of relocating families, we are planning a celebration in the near future to praise God and thank each and every one of you who took part in this miracle!

I am trying, but I can not possibly put into words how thankful I am for this miracle that has transpired through you and friends like Scott who had faith, and more than that, had love for precious moms and kids. I broke into tears as I shared my joy with the Chairman of our Board of Directors that I don’t have to finish my career of ministry as a failure, and much more than that, hopeful moms like Angel, one of my Facebook friends, and her children do not have to leave the peace, safety and hope of Hope Gardens Family Center. Here’s what she wrote to me last night on Facebook:

 

“Thank you guys and thank our Heavenly Father – i will be giving prayers of thanks until the day i have to leave hope gardens! God bless and keep you all that created, support, and run these programs for us and our kids!”

Great News Worth Passing On!

What great news!

Thanks to a generous friend of Union Rescue Mission we are closer than ever to raising the $500,000 we need to fully fund our budget in the final days of what has been the most challenging year in our history. Each gift we receive between now and midnight on December 31st will be matched up to $200K! Please make your year end donation today and share this opportunity (Click the buttons below to post to facebook or Twitter) to double the impact of a year end gift with others.

Blessings on you,

You Are the Mission

Union Rescue Mission’s initiative to end homelessness in Los Angeles.youarethemission1

We cannot live up to our name, the City of Angels, while leading the Nation with the highest population of homeless individuals and families living on the streets of our Community.  Los Angeles County has 3% of the nation’s total population, but 10% of its homeless population.  It’s time for the people of Los Angeles to rise up and take positive action to bring an end to the epidemic of homelessness in our community.  It is time to replace homelessness with hopefulness.  Hope for a better life off the streets and help from those individuals and organizations who can pull together to make this a reality.

We need a coordinated set of strategies to address this problem.  One size does not fit all – no single strategy will work for everyone who is experiencing homelessness.  Homelessness is a complex issue with a variety of underlying causes that require different solutions.  When you get to know the people who are living on the streets you’ll find that they are usually struggling with some deep, emotional pain: the result of abuse, neglect, or trauma of some kind.  This unresolved pain leads to a withdrawal from community and healthy relationships, if in fact, they ever existed. The pain often leads to addiction as a coping mechanism which causes the individual to spiral downward.  The earlier the pattern starts, the more likely that there will also be a lack of life, educational, or vocational skills.  Finally, serious mental or physical health issues can compound the problem, making recovery very difficult.  Most of the men and women who are struggling with homelessness experience some combination of these elements.

The longer one remains in a state of homelessness, the more damage is done and the higher the barriers or obstacles to overcome.  Finding solutions then comes down to a question on an individual level of the severity of the barriers or obstacles to overcome, the resources that can be brought to bear to address the challenges, the motivation level of the individual to accept help and work through his/her issues, and the level of support given by the community.

With your help, we are launching an initiative to reduce the population of people on the streets of Skid Row by 90% in 3 years, cut the number of people who are homeless in LA County by 50% in 7 years, and in 10 years end Los Angeles’ reign as the Homeless Capitol of the United States.  We are calling this “You Are the Mission” because it’s a challenge for all of us.  You are the Mission to end homelessness in Los Angeles!

The following is not a comprehensive solution, but outlines a 10-step framework to help us reach these goals.

1. Heart Change. We need to change the way we talk and think about people who are homeless.  We need to stop saying the homeless, addicts, transients.  These are precious people, made in the image of God, who are currently experiencing homelessness.  People should never be defined or labeled exclusively by their current condition.  They are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, and daughters.  We don’t see the potential and possibilities within people when we label them.  When we look the other way and choose to ignore them, we de-humanize them and diminish their value.  We need to look into our own hearts, change our thinking, learn to say “but by God’s grace, there go I” and ask “What can I do?” to make a difference.

Action Steps:

  • Take time to get to know individuals experiencing homelessness.  Hear their stories, understand their struggles, and put a human face on this issue.
  • Train yourself to think and speak differently about people who are homeless.
  • Engage others in this discussion.  Language shapes our thinking and when we change our language, we begin to see things from a different perspective.

2. We need to not make excuses for inaction based on myths.  Some in the faith community respond to poverty and homelessness by quoting Jesus, “The poor you will always have with you”.  They use this to justify inaction, and develop an attitude of complacency.  This ignores the rest of His words and the context.  “The poor you will always have with you so be kind to them.”  He is quoting Deuteronomy 15 – “There should be no poor in the land if you are obedient.  However, since there is disobedience, both personally and corporately, there will always be poor in the land, so have an open hand to your brother and sister.  Lift your brother and sister out of poverty.”  Jesus’ words are not an excuse for inaction, but a Call to Action!

Action Steps:

  • Have a holy discontent in regards to precious human beings living on our streets and take action!
  • Volunteer, learn how to address this human tragedy with wisdom and compassion, take to the streets with acts of kindness, give to agencies making a difference and providing effective solutions to homelessness, speak up and advocate for those who have no voice or power!

3. No one should be evicted to the streets.  Families with significant barriers and challenges should be referred to a structured, transitional housing program like URM’s Hope Gardens Family Center in order to gain the skills they need to maintain housing.  Families falling on hard times with low barriers should be connected immediately to Rapid Rehousing programs like those currently being offered by LA Family Housing, PATH, URM’s Project Restart, and others.  We are encouraged that the federal government is makings timulus funds available to provide case management and temporary financial assistance to rapidly re-house families that have fallen into homelessness in this difficult eceonomy.  Every effort should be made to keep families from experiencing the devastation of homelessness.  Individuals should be referred to other agencies even when there are difficult circumstances – never put out on the streets with no other options.  URM has made it a practice to provide a van ride when referring even a difficult client to another agency.  We do not accept the premise held by some that homelessness is a legitimate lifestyle choice that should be accepted and protected.  Homelessness is bad for individuals, families, and communities.  The longer one remains homeless, the more damage one suffers and chronic homelessness becomes an early death sentence.

Action Steps:

  • Advocate for more structured, transitional housing programs.
  • Encourage faith communities to connect people experiencing homelessness with available resources and consider establishing a structured transitional housing program.
  • No one solution is best for all.  Become educated about the causes and appropriate solutions for various groups of people experiencing homelessness.

4. Solutions to homelessness should be regionalized.  Each city, suburb, and region of southern California should provide services to serve their own neighbors who are experiencing homelessness.  We must end the policies of corralling, containment, and dumping of people who are struggling and experiencing homelessness on Skid Row in Los Angeles.  Union Rescue Mission and the partners who stand with us are willing to consult, collaborate, and if needed, develop regional satellites to provide regional solutions to homelessness.

Action Steps:

  • Begin a movement to meet the need.  Envourage your neighborhood or city council to address the need in your own community.  This is everyone’s challenge and opportunity – not just a downtown problem.
  • Encourage your community to open a winter or year round shelter.
  • Encourage your city or faith community to provide affordable housing for low-income families and individuals.

5.  Connect families with a mentoring team.  Union Rescue Mission is partnering with Imagine LA, working with churches, faith communities, and other agencies on a plan to connect families experiencing homelessness with a mentoring team who will walk with the family as they transition out of homelessness.  We will also ask faith communities to reach out to a family in their own vicinity who is on the edge of homelessness, and work together to prevent this family from ever experiencing the devastation of homelessness.  There are 8,000 homeless families in LA County, and 8,000 faith communities in LA County.

Action Steps:

  • Connect with your faith community and encourage them to embrace this idea.
  • Arrange a meeting for your faith community with Union Rescue Mission and Imagine LA.
  • Raise your awareness level of neighbors/families in need and help connect them with your faith community.
  • Faith communities need to reach out with marriage counseling, financial counseling, parenting classes, and fatherhood initiatives to strengthen families, prevent family disintegration, and address the root causes of homelessness.

6. Adopt best practices in community policing.  Communities throughout greater Los Angeles need to adopt best practices in community policing in response to their homeless populations.  There are homeless individuals and families in every community, and each municipality should take responsibility to address the issue intelligently, effectively, and compassionately.  Helping individuals access services, advocating for more local services when they are lacking, maintaining reasonable community standards, dealing effectively with the drugs and crime that often accompany homelessness, and investing in the training of police officers and other community officials are all important components of a comprehensive approach to reducing homelessness.  We salute the efforts of the Los Angeles Police Department and its Safer Cities Initiative.  The LAPD – Central Division has been instrumental in helping to reduce the number of people living on the streets of Skid Row, connecting individuals with vital services and bringing about a 39% reduction in violent crime, a 43% reduction in property crime, and a 71% reduction in street deaths over the last 4 years.  In addition, Los Angeles is one of the few major cities where violent crimes against the homeless are in decline.  We applaud the efforts of Captain Blake Chow, Sgt. Deon Joseph, and the LAPD- Central Division.

Action Steps:

  • Volunteer to walk along or ride with LAPD as they do community policing.
  • Join URM in outreach on the street before LAPD carries out a maximum enforcement.
  • Mentor an individual participating in our Just In Reach program who is returning to their community from incarceration.

7. Advocate for year-round shelters.  As a safety net, we applaud Los Angeles Housing Services Authority (LAHSA) for its thoughtful Winter Shelter Program.  We ask that the City and County fund it sufficiently and that it can be expanded to a year round opportunity so that anyone who becomes homeless can have a roof over their head and a place to sleep in safety.

Action Steps:

  • Speak to the Governor and ask for National Guard Armories to be opened year round.
  • Speak to City and County officials to more substantially fund LAHSA so that the shelters can not only be open year round, but also have sufficient case management and support services to assist people experiencing homelessness into more permanent solutions.

8. Support services for chronically homeless individuals.  We applaud LA County’s Project 500, which focused on providing permanent, supportive housing with comprehensive services for the most chronic, high-barrier, homeless individuals on Skid Row.  We also appreciate and support the continued county-wide efforts to identify individuals throughout the region who would benefit from an expansion of this project.  Both of these initiatives are necessary.  However, we also ask that an additional investment is made to fund a Project 500 focused on Skid Row, which contains the greatest concentration of chronically homeless and devastated individuals in the United States.  Permanent, supportive housing is the best solution for many people who have been devastated by long-term homelessness.  We applaud partners like Beth Sandor from Common Ground for focusing on this initiative and we are proud to support their efforts.  We especially applaud the great service provided by SRO Housing in providing permanent, supportive housing along with strong management and services to address underlying issues.

Action Steps:

  • Speak to County Supervisors and City Council members to encourage more permanent supportive housing both in and outside of Skid Row along with supportive services.
  • Join us as we take to the streets with outreach and connect people to services and housing.
  • Mobilize your business, community, or faith community to take to the streets with acts of kindness and engagement.

9.  Understand significant barriers that must be overcome.  Many who become trapped in homelessness have significant barriers to overcome before they can return to a productive life on their own.  The longer one remains homeless, the greater these barriers become.  Devastating emotional impacts, addiction issues, criminal pasts, and insufficient job or life skills are all conditions that hold people back and keep them trapped in homelessness and poverty.  These barriers are not insurmountable or permanent, but usually require a structured, long-term recovery process that is available at agencies like Union Rescue Mission, the Los Angeles Mission, Midnight Mission, Salvation Army, the Weingart Center and others.  These agencies have helped thousands of individuals and families address and overcome their obstacles and return to the community as productive citizens.  The positive impact of these long-term programs should not be overlooked with the current focus on Permanent Supportive Housing or Rapid Re-Housing as solutions for homelessness.  These Housing 1st initiatives are the best solution for certain segments for the homeless population, but will not address the needs of the entire population.

Action Steps:

  • Support effective life transformation programs: they offer a great return on investment, altering the future for individuals, families, and generations to come.
  • Attend graduation events: see for yourself how lives can be transformed and encourage these folks who have had the courage to give life another try.
  • Come alongside and mentor one of these graduates.  The greatest contributor to ongoing success is the relationship established between a mentor and an individual as he transitions from program to community.

10. Help with employment-related opportunities.  One of the most important follow-up opportunities to a life transformation program is a Job Opportunity.  We plan to invest more in employment training, job skill development, and connection to career opportunities.  Our partner Chrysalis, who has done this most effectively, serves as a model to others and deserves recognition and support.

Action Steps:

  • Share your skills to teach employment readiness and job skill classes.
  • Encourage employers to hire people who have successfully graduated from these programs.
  • Support Chrysalis and others who are doing this vital work.

Please join with us in this important cause!  Our website http://urm.org will continue to be updated with information and resources to help you make a difference.

Get involved personally.  Invite your family, friends, faith community and workplace to join you in this cause and let’s work towards the day when there are no more homeless people on the streets of LA.