We would like to send a special thanks to Oasis Christian Center for hosting a food drive, with the donations going to URM! They were able to collect more than 2,500 cans of food.
In particular, we appreciate the hard work of Pastor Phillip & Holly Wagner, Pastor Alex Jones Moreno, and the whole Oasis team for being out in the rain collecting food!
Today marked the end of our Glendale Winter Shelter, and on March15th, the remaining shelters will be closing as well. Unfortunately, the money that funds the armories will run out then, which means that the 670 people who have been staying at the Winter Shelters will have no place to go.
We would like to ask you to please be an advocate for those who are experiencing homelessness, and consider contacting government officials to keep the Winter Shelters open year round. The number of people walking through our doors has continued to increase; we don’t ever want to see the day when we have to turn someone away. Keeping the Winter Shelters open would ensure that we would not have to.
February has been a busy month for us at URM. We hope you will take a moment to watch this video for exciting highlights on the events and challenges, including photos of our Hearts for Hope Fashion Show honoring Paris Hilton.
When you support us and share our message with others, you are helping to provide a better life for those who may otherwise be living on the streets of LA. We cannot do what we do without you.
Rev. Andy will no longer be speaking with Frank Pastore on his show this Wednesday, February 24th. The appearance is in the process of being rescheduled, so please stay tuned for updates!
Each year, we are part of a program that allows us to open extra shelters during the winter months. This year, we are running Winter Shelters in Downtown LA, Glendale, Culver City, and West LA. Not only do these shelters provide a warm bed for someone who might otherwise be sleeping out in the cold and rain, but they are crucial in helping guests become aware of Union Rescue Mission and all the services we provide!
Please take a moment to hear from Sandra, the Glendale Winter Shelter Program Manager, on how great an impact the Winter Shelters are having on hundreds of people, some of them experiencing homelessness for the first time. Sadly, these shelters are only open from December through March of each year, which leaves many people asking “Where can I go?” in less than a month. We would love to see the Winter Shelters open year round, but are unable to do this on our own.
There are two ways you can help make a difference; first, you can advocate for the Winter Shelters by contacting the Governors office and local city officials to ask that National Guard Armories be opened year round, and that the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority be more substantially funded. This way, the shelters in place can remain open wirh sufficient case management and support services to assist people experiencing homelessness in finding more permanent solutions. Secondly, you can donate to help support the costs of keeping these shelters running.
Please take a moment and hear from Sandra about our Winter Shelters
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (February 8, 2010) — The Four Seasons Hotel in Westlake Village was teaming with celebrities as the Hearts for Hope fundraisingcelebrity fashion show got underway on Saturday February 6th presented by award winning designer, Tory Burch. The star studded event was spearheaded by Alice Starr and a committee of people who have a profound heart for helping those experiencing homelessness.
The event honored two of the most recognized women that have had a personal impact on helping people experiencing homelessness, Socialite Paris Hilton and the courageously bold Leigh Anne Tuohy, the true life mother of adopted son Michael Oher, depicted in the movie “The Blind Side”. Union Rescue Mission CEO, Andy Bales, was all smiles as he presented Paris Hilton with the coveted “Heart for Service” Award. A teary eyed Paris humbly accepted her award and replied “I have received lots of Awards but this one means so much more to me because it’s about being a humanitarian, something I am getting into doing more of this year”. She expressed much admiration for the work of Union Rescue Mission and thanked the crowed of over 400 for coming out on a rainy Saturday afternoon to support the Mission.
All proceeds benefit the Union Rescue Mission’s Hope Gardens Family Center, a transitional and permanent supportive housing facility serving women and children.
Attendees included:
Heart for Service Award recipients- Paris Hilton & Leigh Anne Tuohy
Heart for Service Award Presenter- Union Rescue Mission CEO, Andy Bales
Some Celebrity Committee members included; Jackie & Anson Williams, Roma Downey, Kathleen Quinlan and Rick Springfield
Event Hosts – Kevin Dretzka and Stanley Gerlach Jr.
What do you look forward to on Valentine’s Day? Do you have any plans this year? We asked some of our guests what they think about Valentine’s Day, and here’s what they said!
"This year, I'm giving my daughters a prayer and chocolate covered strawberries to show them I love them. But the true gift of giving is a gift from God." - Zane
"My favorite Valentine's Day memories are buying red roses and chocolates for my wife." - Eric
"My fiance better be taking me out, buying me a box of chocolates and a stuffed animal!" - Sharon
"I get a party at shool and we get to make Valentines to give to people." - Donovan
"This is the first Valentine's Day I'm actually celebrating in a really long time. I'm sending a chocolate rose, perfume and a CD to a girl I've been talking to and really like!" - Roderick
This week, we have had the pleasure of having the 8th grade class from Foothills Christian Church volunteer. The volunteering is part of a 7- year tradition the school has set up; each year, the 8th grade class completes a unit on Homelessness in America. At the end of the unit, they are able to come down to Union Rescue Mission to experience serving and see first hand many of the issues they have been learning about.
We are very grateful for all the students and their hard work this week – not only have they been a tremendous help with kitchen work and laundry, but they have brought smiles and laughter to many of the guests!
