Union Rescue Mission End of Month February 2025 Update

Hi, I’m Mark Hood, CEO of Union Rescue Mission with my End-of-the-Month Update for February. As we close out another month, I want to take a moment to share some important updates, celebrate the impact we’ve made together, and look ahead to what’s next. Your support continues to change lives, and I can’t wait to show you how. Let’s dive in!”

I’m thrilled to announce our new Just Help 1 radio show and podcast, which premiered on February 20 on KABC! Airing weekly on Thursdays from 6–7 PM, the show will dive into key issues like homelessness, addiction, mental health, and recovery. We’ll also explore medical and spiritual wellness, wealth management, legacy planning, and ongoing wildfire relief efforts.

Hosted by Frank Mottek, host of Mottek On Money and me, the show will feature community leaders, clergy, and experts from financial, medical, insurance, and legal fields, plus powerful testimonials from those we’ve helped. Tune in and learn how you can Just Help 1 person in need!

In more good news, we celebrated the grand opening of our third thrift store in Torrance on February 6! Shoppers explored incredible deals on brand-new and gently used clothing, handbags, shoes, jewelry, and accessories—all priced below wholesale. Plus, the store is packed with unique finds in home furnishings and art.

A huge thank you to Mark Alleman of Village Gift Shoppe in Glendale! His generous donation of fixtures and cabinets helped bring this space to life.

Every purchase at our thrift stores helps provide vital resources for individuals and families in need. Your support truly makes a difference. If you haven’t stopped by yet, come visit us at 23855 Hawthorne Blvd. in Torrance—we can’t wait to see you!

Now February is known as the month of love—and boy did we show our kids just how much they’re loved this month! On February 14, the Hope Gardens Youth Department turned our campus into a vibrant Valentine’s Day Carnival, filling the day with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories for the kids. From fun games to tasty treats, every detail brought excitement.

A huge thanks to Greater Love Church volunteers for hosting carnival games and bringing an extra dose of energy and enthusiasm! The kids enjoyed popcorn, sno-cones, cotton candy, and hot dogs, plus surprise candy grams in their mailboxes.

This incredible day wouldn’t have been possible without our incredible staff and volunteers, who continue to show up and create moments of joy for the children we serve.

On the topic of love, I’m overjoyed to share that on February 22, five of our Hope Gardens moms took a powerful step in their faith journey and chose to be baptized at Lake View Terrace American Baptist Church. It was a beautiful moment of renewal and commitment as they publicly declared their devotion to following Jesus. We’re so proud of them and grateful to the church community for their support and warm welcome. May this new chapter be filled with hope, strength, and the light of Christ!

I wanted to give a quick update on our wildfire relief efforts. We are still accepting donations at each of our three thrift stores, our distribution center and three mission locations. Anyone affected by the fires can shop for clothing and essential supplies free of charge. We will continue to offer this service for the foreseeable future because we know the real work of rebuilding has only just begun.

James 1:12 tells us:
"Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life.”

To those who have lost their homes, their jobs, and their livelihoods in the fires, you continue to be in our prayers, and we will continue to look for ways to support you in the days, weeks and months to come.

I want to close with a heartfelt thank you to our incredible supporters—you make our life-changing work possible, and your help is needed now more than ever. The 2025 Annual Homeless Count has just wrapped up, and while we won’t see the final numbers for a few months, we know the crisis remains overwhelming. But together, we can make a difference. If each of us helps just one person, one family, one senior, we can restore their dignity, help them find renewed belief in themselves and others and help them find the way home.

May God bless you and keep you.