Stories From Skid Row: Recent Episodes
Union Rescue Mission
"Stories From Skid Row" gives listeners an opportunity to hear first-hand testimonies from those who are experiencing homelessness, as well as staff and friends of Union Rescue Mission.
These episodes provide a glimpse into the issues surrounding homelessness and the work being done to combat this serious problem in Los Angeles.
Genesis was on a bumpy road until she got to Hope Gardens. From childhood neglect to domestic violence she has endured a lot. Now at Hope Gardens, Genesis and her children have never felt so loved and supported. Listen more about her courageous journey here.
Catie Bouchard & Ellyn Molzer share information about their Organization "Pen and Napkin", and their upcoming events.
Rev. Andy Bales of Union Rescue Mission discusses child immigration, homelessness and more on 99.5 KKLA's Frank Sontag Show on June 20th, 2018.
Angela shares her motive for agreeing to host Hearts for Hope and some of her background.
Alex, Manager of Volunteer Services, talks about the annual Christmas Store at Union Rescue Mission. The Christmas Store offers the chance for folks to come choose gifts for their children for free. Hear more about this amazing program on this episode of Amazing Stories from Skid Row.
In celebration of Union Rescue Mission's 125th year, we'll be sharing a lot of old memories.
This episode celebrates our Victory Service Club, which served our servicemen from 1942 to the early 1970s. Over 1.9 million servicemen were ministered to through this program.
Dr. Ira Diamond is one of Union Rescue Mission's top shoe donors. He talks about how feet are profoundly affected by homelessness.
In the 80s, Michael was addicted to crack and wanted to reunite with his family. A friend brought him to Union Rescue Mission for something to eat and joined the program to get his life back. He stayed for two months, then ended up back on drugs. When he came back more than 10 years later, he embraced the program and graduated. He got a job at Universal Studios and driving limos. In 2007, he lost everything again. Hear how Michael got his life back again.
Union Rescue Mission's Chef Delilah talks about her whirlwind media tour and her fantastic story of how she learned to cook and how she ended up cooking for over 2,000 people a day on Skid Row.
Part 3 of 3 - Ryan's mom abandoned him with her boyfriend when he was 12. After being raised by his grandfather, Ryan started selling drugs. He had a wife and daughter and delighted in providing for them, but it all started to fall apart. Hear the conclusion of Ryan's incredible story.
Part 2 of 3 - Ryan's mom abandoned him with her boyfriend when he was 12. After being raised by his grandfather, Ryan started selling drugs. He had a wife and daughter and delighted in providing for them, but it all started to fall apart. Hear how Ryan came to Union Rescue Mission to save his life and his family.
Part 1 of 3 - Ryan's mom abandoned him with her boyfriend when he was 12. After being raised by his grandfather, Ryan started selling drugs. He had a wife and daughter and delighted in providing for them, but it all started to fall apart. Hear how Ryan came to Union Rescue Mission to save his life and his family.
When Lily was one of 160 people that was laid off from her theater job, she lost everything. She came out to Los Angeles to try to break into the entertainment business and ended up on Skid Row. After coming to Union Rescue Mission, she went to Hope Gardens and is now Aunty to the 90 kids there.
Darlene was living with her mom when she suddenly passed away. A week later she found out she was pregnant at 19. When Darlene was kicked out by her sister, she had nowhere to go. She got used to rejection and getting kicked out of friends' homes when she was accepted to Hope Gardens. Hear how she's been able to get her life back and provide a loving home for her daughter in this episode of Amazing Stories from Skid Row.
Bobbi entered foster care at 7 due to her mother's drug use. She became pregnant at 18. With no family, she became homeless and gave her son to his grandmother while she got herself back onto her feet. She turned to drugs to numb the pain, but went to Hope Gardens Family Center to get sober and live the life her son deserves.
Join us for the second part of Claudia's journey. In this segment, she shares about the joy of getting back custody of her son as well as growing closer to God.
Brother Brown's childhood instilled in him a passion to help others. In 1990, he was featured in Union Rescue Mission's newsletter for leading his parish and coworkers to donate clothing, food, Easter baskets, toys for the Christmas Store, and more to those in need. Listen to his amazing life journey.
Claudia experienced abuse at the hands of her mother before entering the foster system at 6. As an adult, she made poor choices that led to her losing custody of her kids. She turned to drugs to take away the pain and, eventually, she ended up on the streets. After coming to Hope Gardens Family Center, Claudia was able to overcome the pain and addiction to start her life anew.
Hope Gardens Family Center guest and recent graduate Margaret tells the story of how she came to Hope Gardens. In 2013 she lost her job and became homeless. After living in her car with her two children for a month, she went to a shelter.
Jada is one of our guests at Union Rescue Mission's Hope Gardens Family Center. She discusses her long journey with addiction stemming from abuse, her struggle to keep her family together, and her relationship with God.
Sharron came to Skid Row with her 3 year old son who has autism to find Union Rescue Mission. Hear how she found the strength to find her way home.
Christine had a job, was a mother, and was going to school when she was introduced to methamphetamine in the early 90s. After losing her children, Christine gave in to her addiction and became homeless. She decided she needed to change her life. Hear how her life transformed through the programs at Union Rescue Mission.
Mara recently graduated from our program at Hope Gardens Family Center. Mara walked with her kids from the train station to Union Rescue Mission to get help. A year later, she has overcome her addictions and her life is transformed.
Jeremy is a former sailor who just completed Union Rescue Mission's year-long CLDP program.
Tiffany is a guest of Union Rescue Mission's Hope Gardens Family Center and graduate of the program. Tiffani shares her perspective on the program and what this transformation means for her future.
Myra is a resident of Hope Gardens Family Center and is a recent program graduate. Myra and her son experienced homelessness periodically for many years before finding herself at Hope Gardens Family Center. Listen to her remarkable story.
Mark is a CLDP Graduate and is now attending school with a 4.0. He shares his story and hopes for the future. Part 2 of 2.
Mark is a CLDP Graduate and is now attending school with a 4.0. He shares his story and hopes for the future. Part 1 of 2.
Enrique has been a vital part of the Mission since he graduated from our CLDP Program. Hear his story on what his past was like and what the future holds!
Kristy has been a vital part of what the Mission is doing at our Hope Gardens Family Center. Listen to hear her heart on what makes her want to get up and serve those who need it the most!
Dalone, an apprentice at Union Rescue Mission, revisits his past with Reverend Andy Bales - and talks to us how he ended up spiraling into alcohol addiction.
Glynn Coleman has been busy at the Mission to help our guests get out of a cycle of homelessness - by getting them job opportunities!
Chaplain Jonathan Russell speaks with the Reverand Andy Bales about his experience at Union Rescue Mission!
Jenny Kerhsner, director of our brand new Maggie and Andre Ethier Learning Center shares with us how important this new addition to the Mission is to the men and women here at the Mission!
Hector grew up in East Los Angeles, surrounded by gangs, violence, and alcohol. His addiction to alcohol derailed his entire life, and eventually found his way to Union Rescue Mission...
Melinda hit rock bottom and had her children taken away due to her drug addiction. She decided to get clean and found her way to Hope Gardens, and that's where her journey to recovery began!
On this week's podcast, Reverend Andy Bales chats with Frank Sontag, host of the Frank Sontag Show on KKLA!
A few years ago, Ruben lost his job and he fell deep into meth addiction. He ended up on the streets with his girlfriend, and their drug addiction got worse and worse. One day, they realized they needed to do something about their lives and they both entered rehab programs - and that's when Ruben came to Union Rescue Mission.
George was at the top of the world, he was a rising photographer in the LA area and strayed from the faith. Due to a series of events, he ended up at the Mission where he would find his true calling!
Sista Mary, founder of "Worthy of Love", throws birthdays parties for the children at the Mission every month!
Ever since she was in high school she has been performing as a mascot - and now she does it for our kids!
Plainly speaking, without Scott Johnson the Mission would not operate at all. He oversees the kitchen, custodial, maintenance, gift-in-kind, and transportation services at Union Rescue Mission. Listen to his story on what its like to work at the Mission!
Marley has been serving people on Skid Row her entire life, and her passion to help people experiencing homelessness led her to work at URM full-time as our Volunteer Service Coordinator!
Darren, chef extraordinaire at Union Rescue Mission, is a man of faith first and cook second! His heart for the folks who come through the Mission is readily apparent from the way he interacts with them - always with love and respect!
Jessica Sutherland, one of the mentors from our Mondays at the Mission teen lifeskills program, gives her story of homelessness and why that pushed her to help those in similar situations!
Norris was a professional Greyhound driver for 10 years - until his problem with drugs and alcohol derailed his marriage. Now one of the major drivers of the Mission, he recounts his story on how he got a second chance at URM!
Drinking from an early age, Steve was sent on a destructive spiral after the death of his grandfather. After his passing, Steve lost a lot of who he was - but he was slowly able to rebuild his life here at the Mission!
Peter is one of the Youth Coordinators at the Mission! Not only is he a wonderful father of his two beautiful daughters, but he also fills that role for many of the children who come through the Mission. Listen to his story of redemption and transformation!
James Han entered the Mission needing and wanting hope. Hope for something different, and he found it in relationship - with God, with his Chaplain, and especially his family. Hear his triumphant story of reconciliation and restoration!
Brandie has been a case manager for the past few years and prior to coming to Union Rescue Mission she felt like she wasn't growing - professionally and spiritually. She came to the Mission where she realized her goal to not just put people into housing as quickly as possible, but to set them up to succeed in the long run!
Union Rescue Mission is able to do its life-saving work because of all of our faithful donors - and Christine is one of our point people who builds and maintains those relationships! In this episode, she shares her story on why she decided to work for the Mission!
Next Step Ministries has been involved with the work here at Union Rescue Mission for the past few years - and they are passionate about creating long-term partnerships with every mission field they are involved in. Ashley has been their representative here at the Mission and she shares her testimony and her experiences on Skid Row!
A mainstay in the Mission's kitchen, Ruthie has been faithfully serving URM for the past few years. After losing her family - save her newborn - in a fire, she turned to a life of drugs and the streets. As she entered our doors, she saw our tagline "The Way Home", and she knew this was a place where she would rebuild her life.
Chef Darren Evans is known to be a man of prayer. At every moment, he praises the Lord for the little things in life as well as the big things - and when he was offered the position at URM to be a cook he couldn't believe that he could minister and cook at the same time!
After years of planning, the URM Thrift Store is finally open in Covina! Listen to Troy and Jeri, who among others have both worked tirelessly to get this store up and running.
URM Thrift Store
280 E. Arrow Highway
Covina, CA
Angel's first experience with Union Rescue Mission was when he dropped off some money for his father who had been in our program. He never came in, but would view the building from the outside.
While he was working as a Bail Bondsman, he was also living a double life selling drugs. In 2013 he would finally enter into the doors of the Mission, not knowing what God would have in store for him...
James Ward and his family struggled with homelessness for years before landing at Union Rescue Mission in downtown Los Angeles, where he met Jessica Sutherland in 2012, and asked her for mentorship.
Through this partnership, James kept his grades up and was admitted to Howard University, where he just completed his freshman year as a physics major!
Aaron Valencia, custom car builder, founded Lost Angels Children's Project in response to the rise of child poverty in Los Angles. No stranger to homelessness himself, he wanted to help in his own special way - by rebuilding a 1931 Ford Roadster and raffling it off on August 30th, 2014!
All proceeds will be donated to support homeless children at Union Rescue Mission and Grace Resource Center!
Sherrell and her children came to the Mission after a series of unfortunate and stressful events. With her son James being 17 years old, URM was the only place in Los Angeles where they could've come without breaking up the family.
Christopher Kai started our teen lifeskills class "Mondays at the Mission" over 3 years ago! Every Monday he and a group of dedicated volunteers offer up their time to inspire our kids to dream big dreams!
Part 2 of URM CEO Andy Bales' interview with Jeff Lilley, the president of Seattle's Union Gospel Mission.
On this week's podcast URM CEO Andy Bales gets a chance to interview Jeff Lilley, the president of Seattle's Union Gospel Mission. Check out part 2 next week!
Here's Part 2 of Emmethia's story!
Emmethia grew up in foster care - abused, beaten, and broken hearted. She tried running away, sleeping on the streets, until they finally moved her into a family that truly loved her. She tells her story on how she came to LA to help her daughter reach her dreams of entering into the entertainment industry.
Emmethia grew up in foster care - abused, beaten, and broken hearted. She tried running away, sleeping on the streets, until they finally moved her into a family that truly loved her. She tells her story on how she came to LA to help her daughter reach her dreams of entering into the entertainment industry.
Part 2 of our interview with John Ashmen, the President of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions!
John Ashmen, the President of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, shares how he came to faith through the ministry of his parents and how that propelled him into a lifelong passion for ministry himself! Tune in next week for Part 2 of our interview!
URM's Chairman of the Board David Dow has been involved as a board member since 1999! Earlier in his life, while he was working for CBS News, David saw much misery and poverty as he traveled throughout Middle and South America. These experiences greatly shaped his desire to help the broken people of Skid Row.
Elder Dennis Bullock of West Angeles Church of God in Christ gives us his testimony of his earlier life of addiction and how God pulled him out of his downward spiral of destruction!
Betty Porto, Owner and Vice President of Porto's Bakery, swings by to chat with URM CEO Andy Bales to talk about the partnership the bakery has with the Mission!
Mike McIntyre joined the Mission as an IT employee just to get by during seminary. When he was asked to serve as a chaplain he promptly refused. But God had other plans...
Frank Sontag, radio host at 99.5 KKLA, delivered his testimony to all of our March 2014 Men's program graduates. His very personal story was filled with brokenness which led to his reconcilation with the Lord.
Alejandro, one of our youngest graduates at the Mission, tells us his story on how he came from Mexico to the Streets of Skid Row.
Jeri Little, Director of Social Enterprise at the Mission, shares his story on how he went from businessman in Orange County to be an unpaid missionary in the country of Romania.
Hear his story about how his obedience to the Lord led him to work on the streets of skid row.
Since 1993, School on Wheels has helped homeless children throughout Southern California by providing education and other academic activities!
On Skid Row, they pick up the children from Union Rescue Mission and the other missions to work one-on-one with their volunteers to ensure academic stability!
Greg Brown, a hospitality care center case manager at the Mission, helps the guests who come off the streets by preparing them to enter into our CLDP program.
He shares about the loss of his mother, which led him down a path of disastrous decisions before God lifted him back up...
Alex Cornejo, the Volunteer Manager of Union Rescue Mission, shares his story on how he himself came through our program to get clean from his old life! That was almost a decade ago and now he pours out his life to help others on Skid Row.
Enrique bounced from drug recovery program to drug recovery program until God grabbed a hold of his life! hear his story on how he turned his life around and became a coordinator in our Men's Christian Life Discipleship Program!
Kristolyn Lloyd, who stars in "The Bold and the Beautiful", shares how her missions work in asia led to her role as "Dayzee Leigh", a woman experiencing homelessness on Skid Row.
After his mother died when he was 16, Jeremiah turned his back on god and left his family behind to join the Crips.
Hear how he left his life of crime and how he became URM's Church Relations Manager!
UCLA Nursing has been operating at Union Rescue Mission for over 30 years! Hear how they have been mending hurting people on Skid Row from Dr. Mary Marfisee.
Alan's road to recovery started at Alcoholics Anonymous and concluded at Union Rescue Mission. Hear his story on how he became vital to the Mission's mail system!
Chaplain Marvin Enriquez left his position as a minister of a local church to love on and encourage the hurting men that walk through Union Rescue Mission.
Scott Minerd, the CIO of Guggenheim Partners, is a beloved friend of the Mission and is also scheduled to be the featured speaker at the 41st annual Mayor's Prayer's Breakfast! Listen to hear about his passion to see Christ change people's lives in Los Angeles.
When Kenneth was in high school, he struggled with homelessness and had the odds stacked up against him. Now he's a junior at Loyola Marymount University and is on his way to make a difference in this world!
Julius Dowell is the Supervisor of Hospitality and Guest Services at Union Rescue Mission and he himself came through our doors looking for Hope.
Levi came from Alabama to Skid Row to die, but he found new life and earned a GED at URM!
LAPD Sergeant Deon Joseph looks tough in his uniform. But look closer and you'll see he has a heart for people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.
URM CEO Andy Bales interviews Roddy Rose his story on how God delivered him out of drugs and alcohol.
Toyota Executive Will Nicklas tells his story on how he got involved at Union Rescue Mission and how he helped launch a mentoring program for the men in our Discipleship Program.
Zee comes on the show to talk about his journey battling cancer and update us on his job situation.
URM's CEO Andy Bales chats with Laker's point guard Jordan Farmar about his journey through the NBA and his annual "Hoop Farm" basketball camp where many of the Mission's children get to participate!
Pops went from being one of the deadliest drug dealers on the streets to handing out supplies and wisdom to men looking for a new life off the streets. See how your generous support can help more precious people just like him overcome homelessness in Los Angeles.
Hear Brian's story of struggle and triumph as he overcame homelessness in Los Angeles. And see how your support makes it possible for people like Brian to have hope for a better future.