About Being a Guest at URM

  1. How does someone enter the programs at Union Rescue Mission?
  2. Do you ever turn anyone away?
  3. Is exposure to the Gospel mandatory or optional?
  4. Why are men and women separated at Union Rescue Mission?
  5. What are the operational details for Men’s and Women’s Guest Services?
  6. How are Union Rescue Mission’s services unique?

1. How does someone enter the programs at Union Rescue Mission?

If you would like information about entering a program for yourself or someone you know, please call URM at (213) 347-6300. Tell the operator whether you are looking for information on entering the Men’s, Women’s, or Family Programs. The operator will then direct you to the right person, depending on the time of day your call is received.

Another option in crisis situations is to simply come to URM, arriving through our San Julian entrance. Report to the contact office (Men’s or Women’s) and tell us what your needs are. As our guest, we will do everything we can to help — providing food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, recovery programs, and much more.

2. Do you ever turn anyone away?

Our goal is to accept everyone that comes through our doors and not have to turn away anyone who asks for help.  Thanks to our amazing staff, donors, and volunteers, we have never had to turn anyone away due to lack of resources or services.

However, if a guest is incompliant — displaying aggression or refusing to follow guidelines — we refer them elsewhere. When a guest is abusing rules and boundaries, they will be dismissed. In addition, if they are a danger to any of our other guests, staff, or volunteers, our security and the police are called to address the situation.

For the safety of all our guests — especially as the number of children here continues to rise — individuals with a known history of sexual offense will not receive services at Union Rescue Mission. Instead, they may be referred to more appropriate facilities.

3. Is exposure to the Gospel mandatory or optional?

The basis of our work and calling at URM is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ as the only means whereby one might be saved. Our preaching is mandatory, but any response to that preaching is strictly voluntary. No one is treated or cared for any differently based on their response.

In addition to preaching the Christian faith directly, the staff and volunteers of URM seek to exemplify the Christian life in all that we do. Even if guests are not interested in actively seeking the Gospel, they are surrounded by the Word in a loving manner — twenty-four hours daily.

Our Men’s Christian Life Discipleship Program (CLDP) is an intensive Christian recovery program. All participants are exposed deeply to both Protestant Christian worship and regular biblical study on a weekly basis. These expectations are clearly presented up front — prior to anyone entering the program.

4. Why are men and women separated at Union Rescue Mission?

Union Rescue Mission is a safe house. Many women and children become homeless because they are fleeing domestic violence in their home, and may fear pursuit by their abuser.

To protect all our guests here at URM, male and female guests in the building are kept separate at nearly all times.  Boys and girls up to age 17 stay with their mothers in the women’s and children’s dorms.

5. What are the operational details for Men’s and Women’s Guest Services?

Meals

Meals are served three times a day for URM guests and program participants. Meal times listed below do not include special events such as Thanksgiving.

  • Breakfast = 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
  • Lunch = 11:30 a.m.  to 2:30 p.m.
  • Dinner = 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Please note:  Lunch is the only meal open to the public. Women are served from 12:00 to 12:30 p.m., while men are served from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Contact Office

Upon arrival through the San Julian entrance of URM, men and women should first stop at the contact office window.

  • Hours for men: 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Closed from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 to 5:30 p.m.)
  • Hours for women: 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

During check-in, staff will assign a bed to each guest and discuss information about emergency services or entering a program. Vital information is entered into the URM database and a case manager is assigned to each guest who receives a bed. Each guest receives a copy of the Policy and Procedures for URM.

For men and women with personal belongings, storage is provided. Two bags are allowed in the safe and secure baggage area. The baggage area is opened at the same time as showers and hygiene. (Hours can be found below.)

Important Hours of Operation for Single Men and Women Using Emergency Services

Showers:

  • Men: (Every day) 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Handicapped facilities are open from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Women: (Every day) 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Wednesday only: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Clothing & Hygiene items

  • Men: (Every day) 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.; 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
  • Women & Children: (Every day) 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Clinics

  • Health Clinic: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.) 
  • Dental Clinic: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Closed 11:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.)          
  • Legal Aid Clinic: Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Closed 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.)
  • Mental Health Clinic: Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  (Closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.)

Please Note: The Legal Aid Clinic, and Mental Health Clinic, is open to guests by case manager referral only.

Daily worship services

  • Men’s Day Room: 6:00 p.m.          
  • Women’s Chapel: 7:00 p.m.

Haircuts — Men only

  • Monday — Friday, 7:00 a.m. — 10:30 a.m.

6. How are Union Rescue Mission’s services unique?

We provide a comprehensive range of programs and services under one roof, whereas many other service providers are able to concentrate on only one type of service. In addition to emergency shelter and food, URM provides recovery programs for men, women, and families — including Christian-based counseling, education, physical fitness, job training, and transitional housing.

Union Rescue Mission is:

  • The only emergency shelter for women and children in central Los Angeles that is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
  • The only Mission in L.A. to have been awarded the Certificate of Excellence by the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. This was awarded in recognition of outstanding commitment to providing quality care for those experiencing homelessness.
  • The only Mission in L.A. to offer services for fathers with children.

Union Rescue Mission networks and partners with other area service providers to provide aid to all those who seek help. In partnership with caring universities, Union Rescue Mission is home to these critically needed services for people experiencing homelessness: