Union Rescue Mission

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. 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.

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 1903 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".

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.