Union Rescue Mission

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The Union Rescue Mission (URM) is a private, Christian, homeless shelter in downtown Los Angeles's skid row. It is the largest, private, homeless shelter in the United States. <ref name=usc> USC's geography entry</ref> Founded in 1891, it provides emergency and long-term services including food, shelter, clothing, medical and dental care, recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling, and job training. <ref name=about> URM About Us</ref>. It is part of the City Mission movement.

[edit] History

The URM was founded by Lyman Stewart, founder of the Union Oil Company, as a Christian missionary outreach. It was initially called the Pacific Gospel Union, and it sponsored revival meetings in tents. Only in 1914 did the organization purchase a permanent home. In 1926, the City of Los Angeles purchased their property in order to build the Los Angeles City Hall, so the URM moved to a new building which came to be called "the Mission on Main Street". <ref name=history> URM History</ref>

In 1994, the URM moved to a new $29 million, 5 story, 225,000 square-foot facility. The new shelter includes a computer-based learning center, a library, children's play and study areas, and a gymnasium. <ref name=history/>