A Message from the Campaign Co-Chairmen

Over the past two decades, an alarming trend has emerged: women and children are increasingly finding themselves homeless and living on the streets of Los Angeles. When we heard the statistics of homeless women and children, our hearts sank. During a visit to Union Rescue Mission we were shocked and saddened to see the grim reality of families calling the filthy streets home. We deeply felt that the need for a bold solution was both obvious and urgent. The hard concrete world of downtown’s “Skid Row” is no place for children to spend their formative years.

We would like to share with you an endeavor with which we are most proud to be associated, Union Rescue Mission’s Hope Gardens Family Center. We chose to work on Hope Gardens Family Center because of the Mission’s long track record of success in stabilizing and returning broken families to society. We knew Union Rescue Mission with its 119 year history was the best equipped organization to make this happen on a larger scale.

On 77 acres adjacent to the Angeles National Forest, Hope Gardens Family Center is a transitional living and permanent supportive housing facility where up to 175 women and children will find sanctuary from the dangerous streets of Skid Row. Through the Mission’s comprehensive program, families progress from homelessness to independent living.

The Campaign for Hope Gardens is a multi-year effort to fund the purchase, renovation, and programs of Hope Gardens Family Center, and embrace those families who have no place else to turn – and give them hope for a brighter future.

Presently, Hope Gardens can fill only one-half of its capacity until funding is secured to complete renovations and staff programs. Our goal of 100% capacity by 2010 is an ambitious one, but one we know can be achieved. We are confident that our community will rise to this challenge with the same resolve and determination today that was present in 1891, when Union Rescue Mission began – to meet the critical needs of society’s most desperate people.

Hope Gardens is the answer to these needs, and we want to personally give back to help those in our community who so urgently need a second chance ‑‑ a Pathway to a New Life.

We invite you to share in the momentum of bringing this project, which was only a dream in 2002, to a powerful reality in 2010. A visit to Hope Gardens Family Center will demonstrate how far we have come and how far we have yet to go. Please consider investing in this vital goal – bringing transformation in the lives of hurting and desperate women and children.

Sincerely,

Co-Chairman Stan Gerlach	Co-Chairman Kevin Dretzka