This month started out very bleak, with our Hope Gardens Family Center facing closure. Raising the $2.8 million that was necessary seemed like a daunting, near impossible task. But at Union Rescue Mission and Hope Gardens Family Center, we see God perform miracles every day! Thanks to everyone’s amazing support and generosity, we were able to raise enough to keep these precious moms and children at Hope Gardens, safely away from Skid Row!
Please take a moment to watch this quick video to hear a little more about what has been happening in June, and how you and others like you have been making a difference.
To hear more from Rev. Andy, please check out his blog here.
There was no shortage of fun this weekend thanks to the help of several special groups!
On Thursday night, we kicked off the 1st of 6 “Nights of Star Wars” on the roof. URM families enjoyed popcorn, brownies and cookies thanks to Calvary Church Pacific Palisades. People brought blankets and chairs to camp out on the roof while enjoying the show! Kids and adults alike enjoyed this great time to just hang out with one another and forget about life’s other concerns for the night. Everyone is looking forward to night # 2 this Thursday!
Then, on Saturday,our guest women enjoyed a day of pampering! The ladies enjoyed shoulder massages, facials, pedicures, gifts and snacks. It felt like a local salon for a few hours including lots of talking and laughter! This event was a much needed diversion from typical life on Skid Row. We are so grateful to Sister Self for taking the time to come treat our ladies!
Later that night, Mt. Sinai praise dancers (ages 3-11) ministered to our guests. An amazing 13 children and 10 adults came to Christ! Our wonderful youth minister Chris Mason shared hope and encouragement and Michael on the 4th floor ministered in song as only he can! Not only were we thrilled to have the praise dancers share their gifts with us, but we are celebrating precious souls coming to the Lord Jesus!
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!”
Thanks to our generous donors, we have surpassed our goal and raised $2,959,048.34 to save Hope Gardens Family Center! Additional gifts will still be matched until June 30th and go towards sustaining the residents and property and provide placement for more women and children.
We are so grateful to everyone who has helped spread the word to save Hope Gardens - special thanks to all our Facebook Fans and Twitter followers, too!
Read more about the exciting news in Andy’s own words from today’s L.A. Times article.
The internet has been buzzing and we’ve had a lot of requests asking what, exactly, is Hope Gardens? So we wanted to give you a little more insight into what Hope Gardens is, and what it means to many mothers, children, and senior ladies.
Hope Gardens opened in 2007 on 77 acres adjacent to the Angeles National Forest. Hope Gardens Family Center is a transitional living and permanent supportive housing facility where about 120 women and children find sanctuary from the dangerous streets of Skid Row. Through the Mission’s comprehensive program, families progress from homelessness to independent living.
Senior ladies enjoy the comforts of Hope Garden’s “Sequoia Lodge”. This beautiful and safe environment is a far cry from the dangers they encountered on the streets of Skid Row. Children are able to play in safety - riding their bikes, enjoying the playground, or playing a pick-up game of basketball. Mothers can rest assured that their children are in a safe and loving environment, worlds away from the drug dealers and criminals on the streets. Classes are also offered to help moms learn life skills, such as financial skills, coping skills, and parenting classes. Many women are able to take their GED’s, continue their education, and pursue dreams and careers they never thought possible!
All in all, Hope Gardens is a place of peace and safety, where women and children can find refuge to pick up the pieces of their lives and start over. We hope you will take the time to watch the videos below to meet some of the amazing women who were able to turn their lives around while staying at Hope Gardens Family Center.
Kasha was able to re-start her life at Hope Gardens and become the woman and mother she had always strived to be.
Shannon was able to find solace at Hope Gardens while her family was going through a difficult time.
As of June 24th, we have raised an astounding $2,661,412.51 towards our goal of $2.8 million to save Hope Gardens Family Center. We need just $138,587.49 by June 30th to reach the goal!
All gifts sent in by June 30th will be matched, up to $500,000, thanks to a very generous donor! Please consider doing one or all of the following to help us keep Hope Gardens open for the mothers, children, and senior ladies that call Hope Gardens home.
Here is how you can help:
1) Donate. Every gift we receive by June 30th will be matched up to $500,000.
2) Text “URM” at 85944 to donate $10. Please reply “yes” when prompted.
3) Invite your friends to become our Facebook fan. We will receive $1 for every new fan up to $25,000.
4) Spread the news. Share our story on your blog, re-post our blog, or re-tweet our Twitter messages.
If everyone does just one thing, it will make the difference. Thank you for stepping up to meet the need.
I thought I knew how bad Skid Row was. It took a sleepless night on the sidewalk to experience the terrifying reality.
When I recently had the chance to spend a single night outside in front of Union Rescue Mission, I thought I knew how bad it would be. But I didn’t. It was the most terrifying night of my life.
I had planned to spend the night sleeping in an EDAR, a kind of folding tent on wheels. But the smell of trash and human waste, the constant yelling, fighting, and drug use, and the squeaking of giant rats the size of cats – which I saw crawling over people all night – kept me awake.
The sidewalk in front of URM was crowded with dozens of people: an old man sleeping in a wheelchair, a frightened middle-aged man and woman huddled in a dark corner, an elderly man suffering from Alzheimer’s wandering lost, a wheelchair-bound prostitute plying her trade in the pay toilet across the street.
Then there were the drug-crazed predators; the man who attacked a woman across the street, another man who attacked a woman in a nearby alley, the thug who assaulted everyone who crossed his path, and who even threatened me. Risking my own life, I broke up at least five or six fights that night.
That’s how it was all night long. There was never any let up in the noise, fear, screaming, fighting, drug use, prostitution, and rats. It was just relentless.
I spent just one night on those streets. That night scarred me. If I had to spend one more night out there, I’m not sure I would have recovered. But what happens to the hearts and souls of the thousands of precious people who have spent weeks, months, or years on Skid Row? Men and women who’ve given up on life and hit bottom here?
That’s a thought I can’t tolerate. No one – not one single human being – should ever be left on the street and forced to live in terror.
Today I’m more grateful than ever for all our generous donors. We’re able to serve almost 5,000 precious souls a day. Every night more than 1,000 men and women sleep in a safe bed. And best of all, more than 600 people have decided to give life another try and escape these streets for good.
Last month in The Mission, we featured the story of Sgt. Deon Joseph, who has policed the streets of Skid Row since 1999. Over the past 11 years, he has witnessed dozens of men and women leave the streets of Skid Row and transform their lives at Union Rescue Mission. But what happens to those we tragically don’t reach? Sgt. Joseph tells this heartbreaking story.
Mimi was a crack addict and a prostitute who hung around Skid Row. I first met her one day when she was standing in the street and I almost ran into her with my patrol car. She cussed me out and told me off, then I told her a joke, and that was it – we became friends.
One day, she asked if she could pray for me. I asked her why. She said I had a good soul and she needed to pray for me. So she prayed for me, right there.
After that, I started regularly checking up on her. I knew her pimp was abusing her. So I’d make sure she was OK and encourage her to get off the streets. When Mimi was sober, she was a very intelligent woman – but she couldn’t leave. Mimi wasn’t the streets, the streets just got into her.
But Mimi was a hero. Even though she lived in a crime-ridden area, she hated seeing people get beat up, brutalized, kidnapped, and such. One day, I got a radio call that someone was being robbed and kidnapped. My partner and I investigated. There were about 35-40 people who knew what was happening, but they were too scared to say anything.
Then I saw this skinny shell of a woman waving from an alley, calling my name, “Joseph! Joseph!” It was Mimi. I asked her, “What is going on ?” She pointed to a tent and said, “That’s where the kidnapping is happening. You need to go get them because they’re going to hurt that man.” I opened the tent, and sure enough, two drug dealers had kidnapped a guy, so we arrested them.
A few months later, a detective told me, “We just had a murder down on the East Side.” He filled me in on the circumstances.
“I know just the person you need to talk to,” I said. “She’s kind of messed up, but she can help us. Her name is Mimi.” The detective sighed and showed me the folder. Inside were photos of Mimi, laying on a sidewalk – murdered.
There are many wonderful people on Skid Row. Mimi’s just one of the reasons we can’t give up on anyone here.
Of Human Dignity
Solving the problem of homelessness in Los Angeles.
By Sheriff Lee Baca
Currently, 2,000 people experiencing homelessness are incarcerated in the LA County Jail. Jails are not the solution to the problem of homelessness.
Homelessness is not a private matter, it’s a public matter. The County, the City, the faith community, non-governmental organizations like Union Rescue Mission, and compassionate volunteers and donors all have a role to play. Human dignity requires all of us who have the means to help those who do not … one person at a time.
The job is large and complex. Bold solutions are needed to solve this tragic problem. That’s why I enthusiastically support the Union Rescue Mission and their You Are the Mission campaign to end homelessness in Los Angeles. You Are the Mission brings all these partners and their resources together to solve this every complex issue.
I believe You Are the Mission is a true solution to the problem of homelessness in Los Angeles.
Exciting Update on Union Rescue Mission’s Hope Gardens Family Center!
As of June 23, 2010 we have raised $2,661,412.51 of the $2.8 million needed to keep Hope Gardens open. Thanks to the efforts of each and every one of our faithful friends and supporters, there is only $138,587.49 needed in order to reach our goal!
Please continue to share this need. Every gift makes a difference.
As of June 20th, we have raised $$2,661,412.51 towards our $2.8 million goal to keep Hope Gardens open. Time is of the essence and we need everyone’s help to keep women and children from returning to the mean streets of Skid Row.
Here is how you can help:
1) Donate. Every gift we receive by June 30th will be matched up to $500,000.
2) Text “URM” at 85944 to donate $10. Please reply “yes” when prompted.
3) Invite your friends to become our Facebook fan. We will receive $1 for every new fan up to $25,000.
4) Spread the news. Share our story on your blog, re-post our blog, or re-tweet our Twitter messages.
If everyone does just one thing, it will make the difference. Thank you for stepping up to meet the need.
Blessings,
Andy Bales, CEO
Share this with your network
A one-time donation of $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill or deducted from your prepaid balance. Standard messaging rates and additional fees may apply. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider. Service is available on most carriers. Donations are collected by the Mobile Giving Foundation and subject to the terms found at www.hmgf.org/t. You can unsubscribe at any time by texting STOP to 85944.
It breaks my heart every day to see so many hurting people living on the streets of Skid Row. But I just can’t help but fall in love with them! To reach out and build trust, we provide emergency services, such as meals, shelter, and health care, in hope that they will give life a second try and consider joining one of our Life Transformation Programs.
Please take a moment to meet Joe, who has been living on the streets for almost 40 years. Each and every day we have the opportunity to meet people just like him coming in for a meal, a shower, or maybe just a chance to relax in our courtyard. It is thanks to the support of generous people like you that we can reach out to our neighbors on Skid Row, encouraging them with kindness and God’s love to rebuild their lives.
