MUFG Union Bank donates $10K in support of the ‘Changing the Narrative Series’

As part of its Community Recovery Program, MUFG Union Bank has donated $10,000 to support the “Changing the Narrative Series” produced by Union Station Homeless Services. The series educates the public about issues around homelessness and provides opportunities for the community to ask questions and to engage more deeply around the topic.

In 2021, Union Station launched the Changing the Narrative Series, a quarterly webinar featuring regional as well as national experts on topics such as housing, homelessness, mental health, racial justice and urban planning. All panels include a variety of experts and people with lived experience. Previous webinars have included topics such as “Systemic Racism and the Housing Crisis” and “Does Housing Really End Homelessness?” 

The Changing the Narrative Series has been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the top 5 “Most Innovative Awareness Campaigns in 2021.” Past Changing the Narrative webinars can be found at unionstationhs.org/changing-the-narrative-series.

“A key barrier to creating the systemic change necessary to address the homeless crisis is a lack of education and awareness among the public and policymakers about the experience of homelessness,” states Anne Miskey, CEO Union Station Homeless Services. “With MUFG Union Bank’s support, we can continue to produce our Changing the Narrative webinars, dispel myths, and build support for equitable policy solutions.”

The MUFG Union Bank Community Recovery Program (CRP) was established to advance social and economic justice in communities of color. The program focuses on building economic stability, including supporting access to capital, entrepreneurship, job retention, retraining, and providing critical social safety net services.

“We are a proud, long-time supporter of Union Station, and are delighted to support the organization with this expanded programming through our Community Recovery Program,” said Lisa Smith, Managing Director. “By engaging in thoughtful dialogue with our community we have the potential to fundamentally address the homelessness crisis in our region.”

Union Station’s Changing the Narrative quarterly webinars seek to create change by inspiring and mobilizing community members to take an active role in identifying the systems that have failed people, as well as advocating for equitable solutions. The goal of the Series is to change the narrative around homelessness through public education and work for the policies and structural solutions necessary to address this crisis.