1. PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Kitty Davis-Walker
(213) 673-4585 or (213) 507-5562
Email: kwalker@urm.org
HEARTS AND SOULS FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES
AT THE UNION RESCUE MISSION
LA Times writer Steve Lopez To Be Honored
Soul Studios Opens Its Doors for Auction
LOS ANGELES CALIF. (April 1, 2009) ----- On Saturday, April 4, 2009, Soul Studios and
the Union Rescue Mission will have its first ever fundraiser at Soul Studios featuring a
silent auction of photographs by some of the top celebrity and fashion photographers in the
industry. Iconic works by Jack Guy, Bill Curry, Sheryl Nields, Jason Willheim, Alfredo
Favo, Gregg Segal, Jordan Nuttall, Scott Miller, Eric Raptosh and Lee Jeffries. The 30+
images, some of them stark and disturbing, some of hope and some of tragedy, are all part
of the new Great Recession happening right in our own backyard.
Skid Row in Los Angeles is what many people call the epicenter of homelessness in our
Nation. Los Angeles is now experiencing a “tsunami” of families, single dads with
children, single women with children and two-parent families coming for shelter at the
Union Rescue Mission. Many have never experienced homelessness before. The numbers
are incredible – 47% more individuals and over 400% more families than Union Rescue
Mission saw last year. 32% more meals served everyday and the number of food boxes
given out to local residents is up 7 times.
Union Rescue Mission CEO, Andy Bales said “As I walk down the streets of Skid Row, it
looks like a sea of broken hearts. Families priced out of housing, victims of foreclosure,
breadwinners downsized out of jobs, women battered out of relationships. But, I think the
most heartbreaking people I meet are parents agonizing for their children who bear a
terrible burden of fear, illness and insecurity from homelessness. ” He continues “Skid
Row is especially difficult and dangerous for women and children, and it breaks my heart to
know that as I write this, the numbers of homeless families are growing.”
With the plight of the national economy resulting in decreased donations, Soul Studios
owners Sandy and Chuck McKnight are determined to do something to help raise much
needed funds. Along with their studio manager Shell Bilyew, the McKnight’s have pledged
to make this an annual event.
During the course of the evening, LA Times columnist Steve Lopez will receive the first
Hero for Hope award for his support to the Mission. Mr. Lopez was instrumental in helping
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2. the Mission secure Hope Gardens Family Center in Sylmar. A bronze bench with Mr.
Lopez’s full-size likeness will be placed in the gardens at the Sylmar facility.
Other sponsors for the evening include executive chef Claud Beltran, Digital Fusion,
Samy’s Camera, Variety, L.A. Confidential, Surfas, designer Cristina Hasbun, Miller
Sherwood Printing, Museum Mounts and My Garden.
For more information contact: Kitty Davis-Walker @ (213) 673-4585 or (213) 507-5562.
About Union Rescue Mission
Union Rescue Mission is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the poor and
homeless. Established in 1891, URM is one of the largest rescue missions of its kind in the
United States and is the oldest in Los Angeles. It provides a comprehensive array of
emergency and long-term services, including food, shelter, clothing; medical and dental
care; Christian recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education,
counseling and job training to needy men, women, children and families. For more
information, please visit our website www.urm.org
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