How We Started

Upon arriving in Skid Row, we noticed that the average volunteer was put to work through serving food in a soup kitchen or handing out items to the masses on the street.

These activities lacked a relational component. Neither opportunity allowed individual volunteers to connect with homeless individuals in order to build personal relationships. Without this kind of trust and intimacy, the residents of Skid Row were not likely to be open and receptive to the anything we had to offer, whether if it’s a drug rehabilitation, job development or discipleship program.

By looking at Christ’s example, we saw that what people need is a relationship in order to heal and be saved – And it’s hard to build a relationship through traditional volunteer tasks on Skid Row.

The Urban Connection decided to make a home on Skid Row with the intent of becoming a place where volunteers can create long-lasting relationships with the people in the Skid Row community. Because of this, our volunteers are able to be more effective than ever. Instead of trying to solve all of Skid Row’s problems in one trip, our volunteers can focus on connecting the homeless to the great staff and disciples of Urban Connection, with whom they’ll begin building strong relationships. It’s a win-win for everyone.