Union Rescue Mission, in partnership with Giving Children Hope and Lindale Assembly of God Church, delivers hurricane relief supplies to needy families in Houston, Texas.
Hurricane Ike hit Houston on September 13, 2008 causing major damage and leaving thousands of people in need of food and shelter. Lindale Assembly of God Church took up the challenge of providing food and shelter to hundreds of people each day after the storm hit the city. Under the leadership of their pastor and his wife, Randy and Jana Meeks, Lindale Assembly of God continues each week to help those people around them who seek their help, and the church plans to continue to help as long as the need exists.
The supplies delivered on April 30, 2009 to help with the hurricane relief efforts included: food, bottled water, toys, over-the-counter medicines, vaporizers, children’s vitamins, body lotions, soaps, disposable razors, and disposable diapers to name a few of the items.
Lindale Assembly of God Church in Houston, Texas.
Church gym where people slept following the hurricane.
Randy and his son Harrison Meeks before unloading supplies in Houston.
On the rooftop of the Union Rescue Mission, Wednesday April 8th, 2009, Los Angeles City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo announced that a settlement agreement has been secured with College Hospital for the dumping of as many as 150 psychiatric patients in and around skid row over a two-year period.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY ROCKARD J. DELGADILLO
L.A. City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo Secures Settlement with College Hospital Over Dumping of Psychiatric Patients on Skid Row
Groundbreaking Injunction Against Dumping of Psychiatric Patients
His office has secured a settlement agreement with the hospital that will establish a groundbreaking injunction prohibiting College Hospital’s Costa Mesa and Cerritos facilities from dumping psychiatric patients in and around skid row, new protocols for the discharge of homeless patients with mental disorders, and $1.6 million in civil penalties and charitable contributions.
College Hospital has agreed to pay $1,200,000 in charitable contributions to a number of organizations that care for the mentally ill and the homeless, including Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services, Men Chabad Residential Treatment Center, Lamp Community, the Midnight Mission, New Image Emergency Shelter, and the Union Rescue Mission.
“To think that medical institutions that are charged with caring for this extremely vulnerable population would then turn around and dump them in the streets is despicable. Today the City is saying think twice before you do it again.” ~Councilman Jose Huizar
The first annual Hearts and Souls for Homeless Families was held on Saturday April 4th at Soul Studios in Hollywood. World renown celebrity photographers Jack Guy, Bill Curry, Sheryl Nields, Jason Willheim, Scott Miller, Eric Raptosh, Gregg Segal, Jordan Nuttall, Lee Jeffries and Alfredo Falvo donated their work for a silent auction that raised much needed funds for the Union Rescue Mission.
Hollywood celebrities Sean Brosnan, Christian Gibson, Catherine Mary Stewart and Michele Scarabelli joined URM CEO Andy Bales in honoring Steve Lopez–Los Angeles Times columnist and author of The Soloist. Mr. Lopez was awarded as Union Rescue Mission’s first ever Hero for Hope Honoree for his long-standing support of URM. Through his influential journalism, Mr. Lopez played a vital role in the success of URM’s battle for Hope Gardens Family Center. His writing continues to significantly impact the community at large, raising awareness, compassion and change toward the homeless cause.
During the event Mr. Lopez shared inspirational words, encouraging the crowd on hand to care for the less fortunate.
LA Times writer Steve Lopez To Be Honored Soul Studios Opens Its Doors for Auction
LOS ANGELES CALIF. —– On Saturday, April 4, 2009, Soul Studios and the Union Rescue Mission will have its first ever fundraiser at Soul Studios featuring a silent auction of photographs by some of the top celebrity and fashion photographers in the industry. Iconic works by Jack Guy, Bill Curry, Sheryl Nields, Jason Willheim, Alfredo Favo, Gregg Segal, Jordan Nuttall, Scott Miller, Eric Raptosh and Lee Jeffries. The 30+ images, some of them stark and disturbing, some of hope and some of tragedy, are all part of the new Great Recession happening right in our own backyard.
Skid Row in Los Angeles is what many people call the epicenter of homelessness in our Nation. Los Angeles is now experiencing a “tsunami” of families, single dads with children, single women with children and two-parent families coming for shelter at the Union Rescue Mission. Many have never experienced homelessness before. The numbers are incredible – 47% more individuals and over 400% more families than Union Rescue Mission saw last year. 32% more meals served everyday and the number of food boxes given out to local residents is up 7 times.
Union Rescue Mission CEO, Andy Bales said “As I walk down the streets of Skid Row, it looks like a sea of broken hearts. Families priced out of housing, victims of foreclosure, breadwinners downsized out of jobs, women battered out of relationships. But, I think the most heartbreaking people I meet are parents agonizing for their children who bear a terrible burden of fear, illness and insecurity from homelessness. ” He continues “Skid Row is especially difficult and dangerous for women and children, and it breaks my heart to know that as I write this, the numbers of homeless families are growing.”
With the plight of the national economy resulting in decreased donations, Soul Studios owners Sandy and Chuck McKnight are determined to do something to help raise much needed funds. Along with their studio manager Shell Bilyew, the McKnight’s have pledged to make this an annual event.
During the course of the evening, LA Times columnist Steve Lopez will receive the first Hero for Hope award for his support to the Mission. Mr. Lopez was instrumental in helping the Mission secure Hope Gardens Family Center in Sylmar. A bronze bench with Mr. Lopez’s full-size likeness will be placed in the gardens at the Sylmar facility.
For more information contact: Kitty Davis-Walker @ (213) 673-4585 or (213) 507-5562.
About Union Rescue Mission
Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the poor and homeless. Established in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the United States and is the oldest in Los Angeles. It provides a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services, including food, shelter, clothing; medical and dental care; Christian recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling and job training to needy men, women, children and families. For more information, please visit our website www.unionrescuemission.org
For More Information Contact:
Kitty Davis-Walker, Union Rescue Mission
(213) 673-4585
kwalker@urm.org
WAL*MART & UNION RESCUE MISSION PARTNER FOR “BUS LOAD OF SMILES”
This Thursday Shoppers are Encouraged to Assist URM Achieve its Dream of Collecting 5,000 Toys by Filling Up The URM Holiday Bus
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (December 8, 2008)—Union Rescue Mission (URM), the oldest mission serving the homeless in Los Angeles has partnered with Wal*Mart on Crenshaw Boulevard in Los Angeles to hold its “Bus Load Of Smiles” Toy Drive outside of the store this Thursday, December 11, from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
For the past 17 years, Union Rescue Mission has opened a free Christmas Store where homeless and working poor parents can shop for presents to give to their children during the holiday season. This year URM has the dream of collecting 5,000 toys to serve 750 homeless and working poor families in the Los Angeles area. Last year, more than 500 families where invited to the store. Tough economic times have increased demand and URM’s goal this year is to serve 750 families and approximately 2200 children. Union Rescue Mission’s CEO, Andy Bales said “We are blessed that our friends at Wal*Mart have agreed to partner with us to make this holiday season a bit brighter for our friends who are experiencing extremely difficult times”.
The Union Rescue Mission’s holiday bus will be parked outside the Los Angeles Wal*Mart located at 4101 South Crenshaw Boulevard, Los Angeles California 90008 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, 2008.
Media visuals: Shoppers stuffing the Union Rescue Mission Holiday Bus with toy donations they purchased while shopping at Wal*Mart.
About Union Rescue Mission
Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the poor and homeless. Established in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the United States and is the oldest in Los Angeles. It provides a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services, including food, shelter, clothing; medical and dental care; Christian recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling, and job training to needy men, women, children and families. For more information and how you can help please visit www.urm.org
Join the Union Rescue Mission as we continue to serve our homeless Friends for the holidays.
(November 24, 2008)—On Wednesday, November 26, the Union Rescue Mission will serve up 2500 meals (served daily) to our friends who are homeless. Long time donors, Dr. Leonard and Mrs. Lydia Cruz of Trinity Nursing Home Management will be on hand to volunteer and serve holiday meals to our guests and the Skid Row community. The Cruz’s have also inspired their employees to give by organizing a Penny Box program where employees can donate their loose change. Mrs. Cruz said “we are an example of how others can help the Union Recue Mission in its humanitarian endeavors”
Union Rescue Mission’s, CEO, Andy Bales said “We can’t cut back on serving because the rest of the world and our fellow human beings need us more than ever right now. The Cruz’s are an example of those who realize how important it is for us to work together and that there are many ways we can all make a difference”
For more information contact: Kitty Davis-Walker @ (213) 673-4585 or Liz Mooradian.
Union Rescue Mission’s Daily Meal schedule:
Breakfast Served – 7:00 A.M. to 8:30 A.M.
Lunch Served – 12: Noon to 2:30 P.M.
Dinner Served – 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
Media visuals: Visit www.urm.org for pictures and how you can help.
About Union Rescue Mission
Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the poor and homeless. Established in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the United States and is the oldest in Los Angeles. It provides a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services, including food, shelter, clothing; medical and dental care; Christian recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling, and job training to needy men, women, children and families. For more information, please visit www.urm.org.
Dodger’s outfielder Andre Ethier will be coming to Union Rescue Mission on Saturday, November 22 to help serve Thanksgiving meals to the homeless.
Ethier will then visit the Union Rescue Mission this Saturday, November 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Los Angeles. The Mission, located at 545 S. San Pedro St., will be a hosting “Thanksgiving in Whoville” event. Ethier will help serve Thanksgiving meals, hand out 1,000 blankets and sign autographs. This is Ethier’s second visit this year to Union Rescue mission. The outfielder kicked out his community initiative to help the homeless at Union Rescue mission in June.
LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (November 12, 2008)——On Friday, November 14, 2008 The Union Rescue Mission will serve 2,500 meals to its friends who are homeless in honor of 11 year old Brenden Foster, whose dying wish is to feed the homeless.
Each guest will also leave with a sack lunch bearing a special message of love from Brenden.
Union Rescue Mission’s CEO, Andy Bales said “Brenden! We are inspired by you. I have been working to help my friends who are homeless for 23 years, and I will for 23 more. Much love to you!”
Union Rescue Mission’s Daily Meal schedule:
* Breakfast Served – 7:00 A.M. to 8:30 A.M.
* Lunch Served – 12:00 Noon to 2:30 P.M.
* Dinner Served – 6:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.
For more information about Brenden Foster visit our website www.urm.org or call Kitty Davis-Walker @ (213) 673-4585.
About Union Rescue Mission
Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the poor and homeless. Established in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the United States and is the oldest in Los Angeles.It provides a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services, including food, shelter, clothing; medical and dental care; Christian recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling and job training to needy men, women, children and families. For more information, please visit our website www.unionrescuemission.org
On November 22nd, Union Rescue Mission on San Pedro Street will be transformed into Whoville, a community right out of the hit animated film “Horton Hears A Who!”
