Stories From Skid Row

Pauly shares his story...

Myra shares her story...

Rufus shares his story...

Gina shares her story...

Michael shares his story...

Fred shares his story...

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.