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...
When a woman makes the decision to commit to UGM's long-term Recovery, the impact of her decision is far reaching. That decision impacts her children, the school, and the whole community! As the Children’s Ministry Coordinator at the UGM Center for Women & Children in CDA, the daily testimonials surrounding my department are the smiles, laughter, and child-initiated singing! Additional testimonials come in the form of a call from a school counselor or the statement of a school principal, “He is a new kid since moving to the Union Gospel Mission."
That specific statement was made in reference to Starla and her second-grade son, Schuyler. I wish you could have seen the look of pride on this precious boy's face & heard the peace in his voice when I talked with him and his mom about this transformation process. After stating that he really likes living at the Center, Schuyler gave the reasons: “It helps my mom. It keeps me safe, and it gives me a place to live.”
Before coming to the Center, Starla and Schuyler had been separated for four years. Starla’s prayer for her & her son is the turning away from violence & death and turning toward love & life, or in her words, “Stopping the negative ripples, breaking the cycle." When asked if there was anything else she’d like to say, she was unambiguous: "Grateful!"
~ Robin Olson, Children's Ministry Coordinator, Center for Women & Children in CDA
4 min read
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...
5 min read
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
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 ...
Darleen Haff, Anjelique Mader, Chantell White, Cheryl Langton, Carlene Wright, and Debi Pauletto You remember the plot of The Princess Bride? A lowly...
Lois used to be a kindergarten teacher. That probably says it all. Lois loves kids. Her husband, Everett, loved children, too. The couple lived life...
Orange jumpsuits, shackles & do-overs By JoAnn Zajicek, UGM Director, Center for Women & Children “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to...