With so much summertime fun the kids were sad to see our Crossroads partners leave…and so were their parents!

Thank you, Crossroads, for blessing our children and bringing light to their lives!

At 3:30, I arrived to set-up, only to be alerted that a gentleman was having a violent seizure in our guest area. I rushed in to assist and joined my long time friend, former All-American Football player, Gene — formerly homeless, now new employee. Gene and I worked together to place the man on his side, put his head on a pillow, and peal his arms back so that he could not hurt himself. We held on tight for more than 10 minutes waiting for the LA Fire Medics to arrive.

When the Fire Medics arrived, they assumed I was simply Security because I had dressed in blue jeans and a black URM golf shirt. Their Captain said, “What really happened here?” I explained that this man was having seizures for over 10 minutes, and that the last one was longer than 5 minutes. The Captain became very rude and said, “Seizures don’t last that long!” I repeated what happened and informed him that I was the CEO of URM and that this is exactly what happened. He said one more rude thing and as he was leaving I learned from our Security team and staff that this is his approach each time he makes a call here. I made a call to his Chief to request that this gentlemen get some customer service training.

Around 4:30, I headed to the roof and greeted the families and children. I tried to wear out the youngsters until the food arrived…that did not work, they wore me out thanks to my little friends, Tyron and Tyrell, two of the cutest, kindest, but most energetic guys you could ever meet.

My Facebook friend, Karen a professional photographer and avid chef at home, showed up promptly at 5:00 with her family, friends, and a large dinner bag for each person from our 5th floor family wing, men’s transitional wing, and staff — 119 bags in all! Karen had seen the movie “The Soloist” and felt compelled to feed a superb meal to people struggling with homelessness. I tried connecting her to organizations in her hometown of Burbank for opportunities to feed people, but no one could make it possible. So, I told Karen that either she could come to URM and serve the meal to our families, or I would meet her and we’d feed people right on the streets of Burbank. She got a chuckle out of that, but decided to bring a feast of pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, tossed salad, and chocolate cake, all made from scratch, and provide our families with a wonderful meal and experience. I wish you could have seen the little ones dragging their dinner bags filled with treats to a shady corner on the roof as we enjoyed a beautiful sunshine and loved filled California afternoon!

I sat with a young man, as he ate seconds of cake and tried to hide it from his young expectant wife. He was a delightful young guy working hard to overcome homelessness while expecting their first precious child.

At 6:10 P.M. one of our case managers arrived to let me know that a young mom and 6 children under the age of 5 needed a lift to the bus station along with all of their belongings to catch a 6:15 P.M. bus. We quickly loaded up in my van and raced to the bus station. I sent the young mom in to get her tickets while I entertained her precious little ones. Her two year old beauty hugged me and stared into my eyes and I wished that I could take them all home, but they were heading home to family in Colorado. The mom returned from inside the station empty handed. They had missed the first bus, and she needed $100.00 more for the new ticket. The family also needed food for the trip so I went to the ATM and acquired $160.00 and handed it to the very thankful mom. I asked the children to behave and stick close to mom during the trip. They all yelled, “Thank you, Andy!” as I prayerfully left them at the bus station and headed for home at the end of a “typical Saturday” at Union Rescue Mission.

Excerpt from program:

The Christian Life Discipleship Program helps program participants in discovering their true self as created in the image of God.  Consequently, healing takes place when men are re-parented and begin the process of learning new life skills.  As participants come to know God, they realize that He will meet all of their needs, and they can have a greater sense of security as a result of believing and trusting in God.  A relationship with God fosters an interpersonal bond of mutuality, giving a sense of belonging, nurturing growth, love respect and care for self as well as others.  The ultimate goal of the Christian Life Discipleship Program is to assist men in growing in the “Image of God.”

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.”  Colossians 3:10

Many inspiring individuals have found refuge at Union Rescue Mission, including 17 year-old, Kenneth Chancey. Currently staying on the Mission’s 5th floor, this high-achieving and diligent young man is determined to change his circumstances.  He’s got his eyes locked on the road to a brighter future, starting with Harvard University.

Taken from the CNN.com story – Click here for the full story

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) — Kenneth Chancey, 17, walks down the littered streets of Skid Row, one of the roughest areas of Los Angeles. Drug deals are made around him. A man screams at his girlfriend. The stench of the place is overwhelming.

Chancey keeps his head down and tries to tune it out. “It’s kind of horrible,” he says, as he escorts his 14-year-old sister, Stephanie, through it all.

But Chancey is on another journey too, one that not many of his friends know about. An honors student and star football player, he hopes to go from being homeless to becoming a Harvard grad.

Check out the Kenneth Story from Skid Row

It’s graduation time at Union Rescue Mission.  On Sunday, June 28th, 2009 at 3pm we are recognizing the hard work and dedication of our program men to a transformed life.  Our men have successfully completed their year long commitment to URM’s Christian Life Discipleship Program.  We are so proud of you, Graduates!

At Sunday’s graduation ceremony, Union Rescue Mission is excited to welcome key note speaker, Dr. Keith Phillips.  Dr. Phillips is President of World Impact where he supervises inner-city ministries in 11 cities and 4 camps.  He is a dynamic Christian leader and speaker who has appeared on a variety of well-known Christian television and radio programs, and he is a Conference Speaker with Promise Keepers. Dr. Phillips is also the author of They Dare to Love the Ghetto, The Making of a Disciple, No Quick Fix, and Out of Ashes.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA, a Master of Divinity degree from Fuller Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Seminary, Dr. Phillips is a distinguished figure in the ministry field.  He serves on the Board of the Christian Community Development Association and is a nationally-recognized authority on inner-city ministries.

Union Rescue Mission is honored to have Dr. Phillips speak words of truth and encouragement to our faithful graduates, family, and friends.

This week, my wife needed her car, and I took the train to work, forgetting that I also needed to run out to Hope Gardens for a tour. I quickly had to scramble to catch a ride with our van driver, and when I ran down to the parking lot, I saw Da’Da running toward me shouting, “Andy, Andy! I am moving to Hope Gardens!” He excitedly jumped up into my arms and gave me a hug and repeated, “I am moving to Hope Gardens!” I realized that I was about to ride in the van with Da’Da and his mom as they took the life changing trip from Union Rescue Mission on Skid Row in Los Angeles, to the beautiful wide open and forested spaces of Hope Gardens. What an opportunity for me to spend time with this joyous mom and hopeful little guy as they made a 22 mile journey that will quite likely make all of the difference in the world for this little guy and his mom’s future. Hope Gardens represents a chance to find a ladder out of poverty and to never spend another day homeless. Da’Da kept asking, “How long until we get there?” I gave him my phone so he could play Brick Breaker and relax a bit before we arrived.

When we arrived he leaped from the van, I introduced him as a special fellow to the staff and children, and watched as he took it all in…the green grass, the big oak trees, the koi pond, the coast redwoods and walking path, and an apartment of his own to share with his mom. He asked me if he’d still get to see me, and I assured him that I would be spending time with him at Hope Gardens just like I did at the Mission in downtown Los Angeles. Though I would miss eating dinner with him at the Mission, I told him I would even come out and see him on some Saturdays. In fact, I am going to Hope Gardens tonight, to be treated to a dinner put on by all of the moms and children of Hope Gardens to thank others and me for being Father figures to their precious children. I will be eating dinner with Da’Da tonight. Please keep Da’Da and the children and moms of Hope Gardens Family Center in your prayers.

Richard Felipe was a man with an excitement for life. The king of adventure, generosity, and relationship, he never wasted an opportunity to love. Richard faithfully sponsored a Ugandan boy for years through World Vision. When a missions opportunity to Uganda came along through his church, Richard jumped on board. Not only did he serve the people of Uganda with his church group, Richard went above and beyond the traditional call of duty to his World Vision child. Richard separated from his group for a time. He hiked for three hours to reach the isolated village where his child lived in order to minister to the villagers and meet the child he’d only known through letters. Richard’s heart for God and relationships is an example to us all.
Click here to read Richard’s World Vision story of faithfulness.

Richard in Uganda.

He asked that donations be made in his memory to Union Rescue Mission in lieu of flowers.

Richard’s viewing will be on Monday, June 15th from 5:00 to 9:00pm at Gates Kingsley & Gates Moeller Murphy Funeral Home. (1925 Arizona Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403)

Richard’s memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, June 16th at Trinity Baptist Church in Santa Monica. (1015 California Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90403)

Richard will be buried in Emporia, Kansas. 

Richard dancing the Irish Jig at St. Patrick’s Day potluck.

Richard playing a baby shower game.

Richard singing “Sweet Caroline”.

With summertime approaching, Union Rescue Mission has seen an increase in volunteers ready and willing to serve. Many youth groups have chosen to serve closer to home, volunteering at URM instead of going to Mexico for missions trips. Since March, we have seen a steady stream of youth groups participating in Urban Experience, our overnight volunteer program. Groups spend the night on the URM rooftop during their volunteer stay.

Also, due the job market, we have seen many more professional volunteers willing to give more of their time. Many of these volunteers are currently unemployed, but have decided to do something and give back by volunteering their services at URM until they secure a new job.

Here are some volunteer events coming up this summer:

* June 22-26: Crossroads Community will be holding a Vacation Bible School for the children of URM.

* July 21st: Bel Air City Sound Concert on the Roof – All URM residents will be invited to enjoy a barbeque dinner and an evening concert on the rooftop.

* August 2-7: Indian Hills Camp will be hosting at Day Camp for the children of URM.

If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of our guests, contact the volunteer office at (213) 347-6300 x1148 or via email volunteer@urm.org

Heroes for Hope are growing in Los Angeles! On June 10th, 2009, Union Rescue Mission held its first annual Heroes for Hope Luncheon at the beautiful and historic St. Vibiana’s Catheral in downtown Los Angeles.

Hearts were touched from testimony by URM Program Alumnus, Irvin Atwater, and a special award presentation for URM’s first designated Hero for Hope, Brenden Foster. URM has named its dining room after the brave 11 year old boy whose dying wish was to feed men, women, and children who are homeless.

Andy Bales with Wendy Foster (Brendens mom) after plaque dedication.

This plaque, dedicated to Brenden Foster, now hangs in the URM Dining Room.

Union Rescue Mission offers a special thank you to all sponsors and table captains for their faithful support.

Major Sponsors: Tegner Miller Insurance Brokerage, Merrill Lynch, Grizzard Communications, CNA Insurance

Supporting Sponsors: Ken and Karen Miller, CIBA Insurance, Encompass Insurance, Lawrence Wholesale

Click here to become a Hero for Hope.

Click here for more information about Heroes for Hope.

Tune into CNN to see a URM special featuring a remarkable young man staying on our 5th floor. Mr. Kenneth Chancey is 17 years old and just finishing his junior year in high school. Already ivy league colleges have their eye on him!

The story is scheduled to air at 3:00am on Wednesday, June 10th and could run all day. Updates will be posted if air-time scheduling changes occur.

“[Homelessness] may be slowing me down, but it’s not going to stop me!”
~Kenneth Chancey