New Union Mission

I appreciate your coverage of the Union Rescue Mission’s July 29 relocation site dedication ceremony, but was disappointed with the story’s cynical tone.

The article’s subhead said that “The homeless view(ed) the ceremony through a fence,” and pictured a person with a shopping cart peering at the activities. The picture was misleading. The article referred to fencing that kept out the homeless while corporate sponsors, the mission staff and elected officials were inside praising the new complex. It was said that no homeless were invited to the event. This was not a closed event. As always, the mission staff encourages the participation of our homeless population and any less would be out of the mission’s character.

Those who cleaned the site prior to the event were men from the mission, formerly homeless individuals who are part of the Union Rescue Mission’s restoration program. The choral group that performed at the ceremony was composed of formerly homeless men who are also a part of this program; and at least 200 homeless men and women joined our food line. They enjoyed the same menu as the others attending the ceremony.

This dedication was a great occasion illustrating how social, religious and business communities are joining together to restore the homeless to lives of self-esteem and self-sufficiency. This important point was clearly missed by the reporter.

STANLEY A. RATZLAFF

Chairman, Union Rescue Mission

Los Angeles