The Future. - Argosy University

Los AngelesStudent Shows Homelessthe Way HomeArgosy University, Los Angeles student Tharsha Braden is on a mission to help the homeless in Los Angeles. Whileworking on her Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology, she is also working as an intake coordinator at the UnionRescue Mission, helping homeless members of the community with drug and alcohol problems.The Union Rescue Mission (URM) is one of the largest missions of its kind in America, bringing needed servicesto homeless men, women and children in downtown Los Angeles. The organization was founded in 1891 by LymanStewart, the president and founder of Union Oil Company. George A. Hilton served as the first superintendent of theMission, originally known as the Pacific Gospel Union. During those early days, URM took to the streets in gospelwagons to offer food, clothing and salvation to the less fortunate.“We work to help these men and women get on their feet,” said Braden.“While the need can be overwhelming, the experience is both humblingand emotionally rewarding. Every day is a reminder of how blessed somany of us are and how many of us go without.”In one year alone, the Union Rescue Mission provided 1,335 mentalhealth clinic sessions, 959 legal aid clinic visits, 5,096 dental clinicvisits, 5,813 health center visits and 14,866 volunteer visits. It has alsoserved more than 735,909 meals to those in need.These days, the need is even greater. According to the agency’s website, up to 142,000 people experience homelessnessover the course of a year, and up to 74,000 people experience homelessness each night in Los Angeles. The agency isworking to provide a comprehensive array of emergency and long-term services that include food, shelter, clothing,medical and dental care, recovery programs, transitional housing, legal assistance, education, counseling and job trainingto needy men, women, children and families.