On Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13 a Holiday Sample Sale is being offered by BCBG Maxazria. More importantly the event also benefits Union Rescue Mission! Bring 5 or more canned goods benefitting URM of Los Angeles and a 10% discount on purchases is yours!
BCBG Maxazria Group is located at 2761 Fruitland Avenue in Vernon, CA. Doors open at 8:00 AM and close at 1:00 PM. Join with us in doing business with a supporter of Union Rescue Mission while helping those facing misfortune at the same time!
For more detailed information surrounding this great event, please contact Alexandra Monsibaez directly at (323)673-4882 or amonsibaez@urm.org
Saturday, October 22nd saw a powerful presentation by Full Harvest International Church featuring Bishop Clarence E. McClendon and Union Rescue Mission in its “Global Harvest Outreach” that touched the bodies, minds, and souls of hundreds of eager listeners assembled at the Mission’s San Julian lot.
During a time when food, clothing, gifts, and even haircuts were freely given to those in attendance, Bishop McClendon brought a message of the Lord’s power and love that touched the very hearts of his listeners. The Rev. Andy Bales, CEO of Union Rescue Mission brought a message from Job 19 and knowing our Redeemer lives. There were two presentations that day with a total attendance of over 800 people. The ministry reaching out to the whole person resulted in 200 people making a decision for the Lord.
Without the help and assistance of a virtual army of supporters, workers, and assistants the entire project could never have occurred. Thanks to everyone who helped; no contribution was too small or neglected.
Urban LA Boot Camp is a 5-week outdoor fitness program designed to help you achieve positive changes in your fitness, health, and spirit.
Starting November 26th, you have the incredible opportunity to be part of this 5-week course while simultaneously helping fight homelessness in LA. If you donate $100 to URM, your LA Boot Camp course (valued at $225) will be waived!
There are a total of 100 spaces, with 4 different classes and times offered (25 spaces per class section). When you and your friends SIGN UP, you will not only be improving your health, fitness, and spirit; you will also be providing food, shelter, and fundamental services to those experiencing homelessness!
Last year we were honored to have Help Portrait host an event at Union Rescue Mission, allowing many of our guests to receive beautiful photos of themselves in time for the holidays. Help Portrait is a global movement of photographers using their time, gear, and expertise to give back to those in need. We were even more excited when they asked to not only host the event again this year on December 10th, but to also hold a “pre-event” last weekend so that they could film a promotional video that will be used this year
They also took a new genre of photos that will be released (with the subjects permission) to share with the public. These photos are said to be the future of Help Portrait and include a powerful caption written by the subject.
The event went from 3-6pm on Sunday, and over 40 people were able to receive free, framed portraits of themselves. Please click the link below to see more photos from Sunday’s event. Check back for more information on the December 10th event!
On Sunday, October 23rd, students from SCI-Arc hosted a Harvest Party for all the kids at URM! SCI-Arc is an independent architecture school located close to downtown; generous undergrad and graduate students took time out of their extremely busy Mid-Terms week to sponsor and host this fun event.
Kids played games such as musical chairs, received goodie bags, and had pizza for lunch before closing out the afternoon with a piñata!
We are very grateful to all the students from SCI-Arc who made this fun day possible for the kids at Union Rescue Mission!
Last night was a night full of excitement for history-lovers on the URM rooftop as the reel for the vintage film Of Scrap and Steel began to run. After gourmet box dinners had been served by the URM kitchen staff, brilliant historians walked attendees through the amazing history of Los Angeles and the vital role that Union Rescue Mission has played.
Though this film was made in 1948, the story it tells is an enduring tale of men and women in search of hope, and an opportunity to get back on their feet. Over the past 120 years, URM has been such a place for these individuals. Of Scrap and Steel is not only a rich, historical gem, but is also a powerful reminder of the timeless redemption and salvation found through Christ.
A huge thank you to Los Angeles Visionaries Society (LAVA) and to URM Historian, Liz Mooradian for coordinating this wonderful event.
It was a cold night on the URM rooftop this last Tuesday night, but that only made the screening of the movie Snowmen even more appropriate. Mothers and children from Hope Gardens and URM, staff, and members of the cast (including Bobby Colemen) all nuzzled together under the heat lamps to stay warm and enjoy the movie.
Snowmen is a movie about three boys who make a surprising discovery in the snow, casting them into a spot-light of small-town fame. The journey of fame takes these friends through a series of events leading them to the conclusion that though fame comes and goes, true friendship lasts a life-time.
Click HereTo watch the trailer and read more about the cast and the movie
To view more pictures of this event and it’s participants please visit our photo album here
Tucked away deep in the archives of Union Rescue Mission, Of Scrap and Steel, was waiting to be be discovered, becoming more and more fragile with each passing day. Recently, URM Historian, Liz Mooradian, pulled this 1948 short film to the surface. Had Liz not transferred the deteriorating 16mm print into video, this fascinating piece of Los Angeles history would have been lost.
Today, October 18,2011, Liz Mooradian and CEO, Rev.Andy Bales discussed, with excitement, this wonderful discovery on KPCC 89.3. “We were out of our minds when we saw it, that it was in tact and that we could see people walking around the mission,” said Liz. The KPCC radio segment was a beautiful glimpse into the rich history of URM.
A historical gem like this is meant to be shared. That is why this Thursday October 20th, 2011, the Los Angeles Visionaries Association, In SRO Land, and Union Rescue Mission would like to invite you to join us for a FREE rooftop screening of Of Scrap and Steel. What better place to enjoy this enthralling film than the beautiful re-designed URM rooftop nestled in the city lights of Los Angeles.
For all the info you need regarding parking, address, program schedule, and to register, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
Kevin and his daughters spent the past five Thanksgivings with nowhere to call home. This year, your generosity made sure they won’t have to again.
“Being a dad is the most beautiful thing in the world,” says Kevin, the father of two beautiful daughters, Miranda, 15, and Tahila, 12. “But right now it’s hard. I never dreamed we’d be in this situation.”
Kevin and his daughters have experienced homelessness for five years, after Kevin lost his job in Seattle. “Me and the girls were doing pretty good. But after I lost my job, we lost our apartment and everything else. I lost it all,” he says.
They moved to Oakland for awhile to take care of Kevin’s father, who was battling cancer. After his father died in 2008, Kevin and his girls moved to Los Angeles. “I have family here,” he says. “I thought I had a chance to get back on my feet.”
But the challenges of finding a permanent job and housing continued. Running out of options, in August 2008 Kevin and his daughters moved to Union Rescue Mission — the only mission in Los Angeles that offers shelter to single dads with kids.
“We’ve been homeless five years,” Kevin says. “Five years we have been trying to get back what we lost.” Now, just in time for Thanksgiving, circumstances are looking up. Kevin moved his family into their own apartment and is assured that a new job is right around the corner.
“I’m looking forward to getting my own place again. That’s all I want, to get on my own again,” he says. “But I’m grateful to Union Rescue Mission for opening up this place for families like mine. This has been a stepping stone to get back everything we lost. And I’ve taken full advantage of it.”
Kevin is already planning to host Thanksgiving dinner for all his family scattered throughout Los Angeles, the first time they will all be able to celebrate together in years.
“I’ll probably shed a tear,” he says. “Before we even sit down, we’re going to bless the food and everyone will say what they’re thankful for.
“But really, since we came to Union Rescue Mission, I’ve learned that every day is a blessed day of thanksgiving. No matter how hard things got, I still have my kids. I thank God every day for my daughters, and now for the new apartment we’re moving in to. God has blessed me with more than I could have ever hoped for.”
Gratitude Born of Hardship
Some people say you can’t be truly thankful until you’ve experienced suffering. Real gratitude is born out of hardship. It’s a truth I understand well. As a Type 1 diabetic, I’ve battled health problems most of my adult life. But the past year has been particularly hard. Last Thanksgiving, my kidneys failed. I tried battling back with a strict diet all year, but I just learned they are now operating at 15%, meaning I’m facing dialysis now — and hopefully a kidney transplant.
I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m not discouraged. In fact, my poor health only makes me more grateful for the privilege of doing God’s work at Union Rescue Mission. A preacher recently said to the guys here, “When you think you’re about ready to get snuffed out, that’s when Jesus shows up and does something powerful.” That was a great message for guys who’ve hit rock bottom — and it was a good message for me. I may be weak, right now, but with Jesus I have great power.
Saturday, October 15, 2011, from 3pm-6pm, we would like to invite you to the Hope Gardens Open House on the beautiful 77 acre campus in Sylmar, California.This fun-filled event will give you the opportunity to tour the beautiful campus, meet the incredible staff, enjoy some great food, and engage with the precious women and children of Hope Gardens.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Latonja Lindsey at (213) 347-6341 or email llindsey@urm.org.
Please RSVP by October 12th
Far from the dangerous streets of Skid Row, nestled in the foothills of Sylmar, California, lies Hope Gardens Family Center, a transitional housing and permanent supportive housing campus for mothers, children, and senior women experiencing homelessness.
Back in August, 2006, after a long hard fight to acquire this property, Hope Gardens opened its doors to women and children in need. With approximately 85 children, 42 mothers, and 21 senior women, Hope Gardens is a peaceful place of refuge for these beautiful people, a stop on the way home.
We look forward to seeing you at the Open House to help us celebrate the blessing of Hope Gardens and its guests.
Saturday, October 15, 2011, from 3pm-6pm, we would like to invite you to join us on this beautiful 77 acre campus for our Hope Gardens Open House.This event will give you the opportunity to tour the beautiful campus, meet the incredible staff, enjoy some great food, and engage with the precious women and children of Hope Gardens.
