Barbara Comito, former marketing director
4 min read
The Father I Found: Pat’s Story of Redemption
At eight years old, Pat’s mom would share a beer with him. “Instantly, I was addicted.” At thirteen, drug and alcohol abuse became a constant. “My...
Robert Lewis turned to drugs and alcohol partly in response to frustrations in the work place.
“My addiction came from always trying to be a workaholic,” Robert said. After overworking in hopes of promotions that never came, Robert felt he deserved to escape. “When I would eventually get off work, it was my time to play.”
Anger also caused Robert trouble in the workplace. “I lost a job when I was 21…and was court ordered to take anger management.” Robert saw the information as irrelevant to him and never applied it.
The anger, absence of boundaries, and addiction eventually brought Robert to the Union Gospel Mission.
Now in the fourth phase of the Men’s Recovery program, Robert is doing his business practicum with Integrity Remodeling, getting real world work experience.
“I love Integrity Remodeling. They are a great Christian company.” Robert still encounters frustrations that would have set him off in the past, but he is learning self-control. He recognizes that blowing up won’t solve anything and could definitely make things worse.
“I have God in my heart where I can look and say, OK, it was an event that happened and I can learn from it,” Robert said. “It isn’t something I need to drink or do drugs about. It isn’t worth tearing myself up.”
Robert admitted he still has fears. He used to make the wrong decision even when he knew the right one, and he is scared he might do that again. Fear, however, doesn’t need to stand in the way of growth. Risk, Robert has learned, is part of life.
“I can be a positive Christian male, and I have the confidence now to push forward; but I believe my fear is a positive fear. It keeps me sober.”
~ Elisabeth Roginski, UGM staff writer intern
5 min read
A Lifetime of Service and Beyond
Vern Scoggin, UGM's longest-serving board member, has overseen remarkable growth and change for over half of UGM's existence. Joining in 1985, he was...
5 min read
A Gift that Lasts
For years, UGM has been blessed to receive countless gifts from faithful partners who included the ministry in their estate plan. Today, we have 256 ...
Trish at Work
Union Gospel Mission : January 1, 2012
Trish's Direct Supervisor, Angela, guides her through tasks on the computer.
Mourning and Comfort
Union Gospel Mission : April 9, 2013
One of the men in UGM's Recovery program wrote the following about what he mourns: “I mourn for the fact that my children have not had the father...
Blessed are those who mourn.
Barbara Comito, former marketing director : April 2, 2013
Editor’s Note: UGM’s theme for 2013 is taken from the prophecy regarding Christ’s work in Isaiah 61:1-3. We’ve been looking at how God accomplishes...