Union Rescue Mission, Los Angeles 
The information on this page was last updated 10/20/2023. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Union Rescue Mission (URM) is one of the largest missions of its kind in America - bringing help and hope to men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in Downtown Los Angeles. We provide a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services to our guests, including: food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, recovery (life transformation) programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling, and job training to men, women, children, and families. We embrace people experiencing homelessness with the compassion of Christ, giving hope and healing for a changed life, helping them to find their way home.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Union Rescue Mission
545 S. San Pedro Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Website: www.urm.com
Phone: (213) 347-6300
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 951709293
CEO/President: Rev. Andy Bales, MAT
Chairman: David Wood
Board size: 13
Founder: Lyman Stewart
Ruling year: 1935
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 06/30
Member of ECFA: Yes
Member of ECFA since: 1982
Purpose
Located in the heart of Skid Row, Union Rescue Mission is a refuge of help and hope. A safe haven where men, women, and children can get the guidance and support they need to live a life transformed.
Mission statement
We embrace men, women, and children experiencing homelessness with the compassion of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to give them hope and healing for a changed life - and help them find their way home.
Statement of faith
We believe in one God, Creator and Lord of the Universe, the co-eternal Trinity; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
We believe that Jesus Christ, God's Son, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived a sinless life, died a substitutionary atoning death on the cross, rose bodily from the dead and ascended to heaven where, as truly God and truly man, He is the only mediator between God and man.
We believe that the Bible is God's authoritative and inspired Word. It is without error in all its teachings, including creation, history, its own origins, and salvation. Christians must submit to its divine authority, both individually and corporately, in all matters of belief and conduct, which is demonstrated by true righteous living.
We believe that all people are lost sinners and cannot see the Kingdom of God except through the new birth. Justification is by grace through faith in Christ alone. Those who reject Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior in the present life shall be raised from the dead for eternal suffering and separation from God. Those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior will be present with him for eternity in heaven.
We believe in one holy, universal, and apostolic Church. Its calling is to worship and witness concerning its Head, Jesus Christ, preaching the Gospel among all people groups and demonstrating its commitment by compassionate service to the needs of human beings and promoting righteousness and justice.
We believe in the necessity of the work of the Holy Spirit for the individual's new birth and growth to maturity; and also for the Church's constant renewal in truth, wisdom, faith, holiness, love, power, and mission.
We believe that Jesus Christ will personally and visibly return in glory to raise the dead and bring salvation and judgment to completion. God will fully manifest His kingdom when He establishes a new heaven and new earth, in which He will be glorified forever and exclude all evil, suffering, and death.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
A
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Rescue Missions/Homeless Shelters
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 250 of 1104 | 32 of 140 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 320 of 1105 | 35 of 140 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 218 of 1105 | 22 of 140 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 592 of 1104 | 76 of 140 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 11% | 8% | 8% | 8% | 9% | 14% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 10% | 7% | 8% | 9% | 9% | 14% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 93% | 98% | 93% | 101% | 97% | 94% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 11% | 8% | 9% | 11% | 13% | 14% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 7% | 2% | 7% | -1% | 3% | 6% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 79% | 86% | 85% | 82% | 80% | 78% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 90% | 87% | 86% | 76% | 71% | 94% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 71% | 75% | 73% | 62% | 57% | 73% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 10% | 13% | 14% | 24% | 29% | 6% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 7% | 8% | 9% | 16% | 24% | 4% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 9% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 7% | 8% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.52 | 0.50 | 0.53 | 0.47 | 0.56 | 0.59 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.80 | 2.86 | 2.35 | 2.63 | 2.22 | 3.26 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.69 | 1.43 | 1.25 | 1.24 | 1.24 | 1.93 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 13.05 | 8.03 | 12.95 | 11.82 | 11.97 | 7.41 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.08 | 0.13 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 6.30 | 7.32 | 8.89 | 8.87 | 8.85 | 5.38 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 8% | 6% | 6% | 7% | 5% | 8% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 0% | 2% | 2% | 4% | 1% | 4% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 157% | 187% | 178% | 197% | 170% | 155% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Cash | $15,611,967 | $15,023,000 | $11,609,000 | $4,358,000 | $2,358,000 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $11,310,136 | $12,321,000 | $12,385,000 | $11,295,000 | $6,552,000 |
| Short-term investments | $477,648 | $3,122,000 | $1,122,000 | $8,675,000 | $4,126,000 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $27,399,751 | $30,466,000 | $25,116,000 | $24,328,000 | $13,036,000 |
| Long-term investments | $98,160 | $87,000 | $0 | $0 | $1,306,000 |
| Fixed assets | $23,385,173 | $21,998,000 | $22,518,000 | $28,482,000 | $27,351,000 |
| Other long-term assets | $27,580,342 | $19,049,000 | $18,524,000 | $1,224,000 | $844,000 |
| Total long-term assets | $51,063,675 | $41,134,000 | $41,042,000 | $29,706,000 | $29,501,000 |
| Total assets | $78,463,426 | $71,600,000 | $66,158,000 | $54,034,000 | $42,537,000 |
| Liabilities | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $3,308,255 | $2,263,000 | $2,124,000 | $2,033,000 | $1,759,000 |
| Other current liabilities | $105,567 | $89,000 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current liabilities | $3,413,822 | $2,352,000 | $2,124,000 | $2,033,000 | $1,759,000 |
| Debt | $1,500,503 | $1,500,000 | $2,592,000 | $458,000 | $1,684,000 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $148,705 | $113,000 | $117,000 | $130,000 | $169,000 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $1,649,208 | $1,613,000 | $2,709,000 | $588,000 | $1,853,000 |
| Total liabilities | $5,063,030 | $3,965,000 | $4,833,000 | $2,621,000 | $3,612,000 |
| Net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Without donor restrictions | $48,435,150 | $38,762,000 | $32,295,000 | $30,869,000 | $30,673,000 |
| With donor restrictions | $24,965,246 | $28,873,000 | $29,030,000 | $20,544,000 | $8,252,000 |
| Net assets | $73,400,396 | $67,635,000 | $61,325,000 | $51,413,000 | $38,925,000 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Total contributions | $44,319,940 | $41,226,000 | $41,463,000 | $41,216,000 | $25,253,000 |
| Program service revenue | $193,045 | $191,000 | $316,000 | $407,000 | $332,000 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $206,323 | $241,000 | ($739,000) | $103,000 | $708,000 |
| Other revenue | $402,806 | $2,517,000 | ($27,000) | $823,000 | $542,000 |
| Total other revenue | $802,174 | $2,949,000 | ($450,000) | $1,333,000 | $1,582,000 |
| Total revenue | $45,122,114 | $44,175,000 | $41,013,000 | $42,549,000 | $26,835,000 |
| Expenses | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Program services | $33,769,000 | $32,331,000 | $25,481,000 | $24,309,000 | $19,588,000 |
| Management and general | $2,201,132 | $2,172,000 | $2,095,000 | $2,122,000 | $1,947,000 |
| Fundraising | $3,328,525 | $3,454,000 | $3,524,000 | $3,788,000 | $3,638,000 |
| Total expenses | $39,298,657 | $37,957,000 | $31,100,000 | $30,219,000 | $25,173,000 |
| Change in net assets | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $5,823,457 | $6,218,000 | $9,913,000 | $12,330,000 | $1,662,000 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $5,823,457 | $6,218,000 | $9,913,000 | $12,330,000 | $1,662,000 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| Andrew Bales | Chief Executive Officer | $343,685 |
| Richard Newcomb | VP Development & Social Enterprise | $235,827 |
| Christopher Sue | Chief Financial Officer | $210,590 |
| Daniel Roleder | VP of Men's Ministries | $178,530 |
| Yeilen Willis | VP, Human Resource Service | $174,491 |
| Timothy Peters | Dir of Philanthropy | $161,348 |
| Latonja Lindsey | VP Emergency Services | $160,337 |
| Kathy Davis | VP Public Relations | $132,692 |
| Rosie Perez | Procurement Manager | $110,436 |
Compensation data as of: 6/30/2022
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 10/20/2023. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Union Rescue Mission (URM) is one of the largest missions of its kind in America - bringing help and hope to men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in Downtown Los Angeles. URM was founded in 1891 by Lyman Stewart, president and founder of Union Oil Company. George A. Hilton served as the first superintendent of the Mission, originally known as the Pacific Gospel Union. During those early days, URM took to the streets in gospel wagons to offer food, clothing, and salvation to the less fortunate. Over the years, URM has continued and expanded its efforts to feed both the body and the soul, helping individuals and families break the cycle of poverty and achieve self-sufficiency.
1893 - URM serves over 500 people a day from temporary sites where tents were rigged for nightly revivals.
1907 - URM purchases its first permanent home at 145 North Main Street - a haven of hope where the poor find three meals a day, clothing, and shelter, as well as employment assistance and free medical aid.
1926 - After city officials purchase the North Main Street property to build the Los Angeles City Hall, URM purchases a building at 226 South Main Street - fondly referred to as "The Mission on Main Street."
1934 - During the Depression, the Mission supplies 42 percent of all free meals provided by private charities in Los Angeles.
1942 - URM establishes the Victory Service Club - a spiritual haven and gathering place for nearly two million servicemen during the war years.
1980 - Responding to the tragic appearance of women and children among the homeless, URM establishes the Bethel Haven Women and Family Shelter.
1994 - Demonstrating vision and commitment, URM opens its $29 million, 225,000-square-foot facility at 545 South San Pedro Street specifically designed to meet the needs of today's homeless population, especially women and children. The building can shelter a thousand people per night and includes a computer-based learning center, library, children's play and study areas, gymnasium.
1995 - The Bank of America Learning Center opens on the 4th floor, offering basic literacy instruction, high school diplomas, and computer training.
1998 - In response to the growing number of women and children experiencing homelessness, the Family Shelter opens on URM's 4th floor, providing 84 more emergency beds, bringing the total number of beds for women and children to 194.
2003 - February 25th: Opening of The Thomas D. Grimes Men's Transitional Residence on the 5th floor.
2005 - Late October: Escrow closes on the 71-acre landscaped property at the base of the Angeles National Forest and URM begins preparations to launch the Hope Gardens Family Center
2006 - August 8th will always be a special day in the history of Union Rescue Mission. This is the day senior women began moving from the Mission to Hope Gardens Family Center to live in the Senior Permanent Supportive Housing Complex, Sequoia Lodge.
December 4th is the Mission's 115th Anniversary serving men, women, and children experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.
2007 - January 31st The first Internet Cafe in Skid Row opened on our first floor, providing a welcoming atmosphere to the community and affordable internet and cafe services.
May. The women's exercise room on the fourth floor is completed and opened, complete with treadmills, exercise balls, a rowing machine, and more.
June. Hope Gardens Family Center was approved to house additional women and children. The first phase of families moved in on June 27, 2007. 4 families (4 moms, 8 children); 3 families from Union Rescue Mission's 1st Step program.
2008 - Winter Shelters: When no other agency would respond to the County and City's call to open up winter shelters at three different sites, URM responded, and through our public benefits charity EIMAGO, teamed with the LA Homeless Services Authority to open up winter shelter sites at the armories in Burbank, West LA, Culver City and added over 100 beds to the downtown facility for a total of 570 extra beds, increasing the Mission's capacity for the three cold and rainy months by nearly 50% (Dec. to March).
2009 - URM leadership saw the economic downturn and its impact on families, the decision was made to not only stay on course welcoming those struggling in poverty with the love of Christ, but in order to live up to our history during the Great Depression, we stepped it up a notch to meet the growing need. We converted our 5th floor, previously saved for VIP's and volunteer groups, into housing for two-parent families and single Dads with children. Two groups we had not often seen coming to the Mission previously. It didn't take long to be at full capacity on the 5th floor with overflow tents (EDAR's) placed in the Mission's Chapel and 5th floor meeting rooms to accommodate families who have never before experienced homelessness.
2011 - On April 1, the Mission's Leadership embraced CEO, Andy Bales desire to instill a greater sense of responsibility and dignity in guests using free long-term shelter beds. The Gateway Program was established offering a bed for 15 days free of charge. Guests were then given the opportunity to pay a small fee for a bed or enter the men's CLDP/Recovery program or receive referrals to other facilities.
2014 - In November Union Rescue Mission opens a Thrift Store at 280 E. Arrow Highway, Covina.
2021 - In November Union Rescue Mission opens a Thrift Store at 15918 Whittier Blvd Whittier
2021 - Union Rescue Mission celebrates 130 years of continuous service to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles.
Program accomplishments
Working together, activities empower recovery and life transformation, impacting the lives of more than 6,000 men, women, children, and families each year.