The Mission Newsletter – January 2012
Kimberly’s Full-Circle Life
My mom did her best, but as an alcoholic trying to raise eight kids, it was hard. However, we all graduated from high school, and none of my siblings ever turned to drugs or alcohol — except me.
I was 17 when I learned my new boyfriend was a drug dealer. I started selling crack cocaine for him, then I started to smoke it as well. And just as I started using, my mom passed away, my nephew died of cancer, and my boyfriend got shot and died right in front of me. I blamed myself because I believed that somehow my drug use caused their deaths. To cope, I just used more drugs.
By the time I was 37 I had six daughters, I was sick with lupus, tired, hopelessly addicted, and I knew if I continued on the same path, I’d die.
I went to Union Rescue Mission for help. I literally fell to my knees, crying for God to deliver and save me. And He did.
Today I’ve been sober for eight years and I have a great job working at a nonprofit organization that helps addicted and underprivileged people in Los Angeles. I also have my own home, my three oldest daughters are in college, and life has never been better.
But I want to do more. Union Rescue Mission gave me the chance to live a new life; and now I want to give other women that same chance. So today I’m getting ready to go back to Union Rescue Mission — to volunteer my time to help and encourage other women like me. I want to show them that if I can do it, they can, too.
I’m so grateful God gave me the strength to get my life back — and for giving me the chance to help other women get their lives back, as well.
It’s Union Rescue Mission’s 120th Birthday!
We are celebrating 120 years of NEW BEGINNINGS that compassionate friends like you have made possible — because YOU are the Mission. To help us celebrate, please follow these 3 easy steps to create your personal fundraising page to support Union Rescue Mission even more.
1. Go to urm.org/120
2. Create your own personal fundraising page
3. Share your page via email, Facebook, and other social networks.
Invite friends and family to donate at least $10 each. 12 Friends x $10 = $120
We will use your birthday gift to help feed, shelter, and restore precious souls experiencing homelessness. Thank you!
The Miracles of New Life
I first met Kimberly shortly after she arrived at Union Rescue Mission with her beautiful young daughters.
Kimberly’s life was in shambles. I can’t imagine the nightmare she lived through or what she felt when she hit rock bottom and came to Skid Row seeking help. But she not only succeeded in building a brand new life, she’s now coming back to Union Rescue Mission to help others succeed as well.
Everything we do at Union Rescue Mission is designed to turn lives around like Kimberly’s. But it’s never easy. First, they must be strong enough to fight through the pain that life change demands. It also takes quality staff here at the Mission who give them the tools they need to succeed. Of course, it takes a miracle of God, as well. But finally, it also takes caring people like you. Your ongoing support makes it all possible. If any of these ingredients are missing, change doesn’t happen.
Stories like Kimberly’s are miracles. So at the beginning of this New Year, thank you for participating in the miracles of new life we see every day at Union Rescue Mission.
Blessings,
Rev. Andy Bales, CEO, Union Rescue Mission