Skip to the main content.
Donate Need help?
Donate Need help?
Lenore McDonald, UGM volunteer Lenore puts together the welcome baskets for new guests at the Center.

From my perspective, Lenore McDonald is a volunteer extraordinaire. She says it was only by an act of God that she came to serve at the Union Gospel Mission Center Women and Children in Coeur d'Alene.

After losing her job in July 2012, Lenore spent the following six months searching for a job, while juggling a strained marriage and a life in turmoil. She says she came very close to being a resident at UGM during this time of uncertainty. lenore-thumb Lenore was at a crossroads; she took God’s hand and followed him into UGM.

She has been volunteering at UGM for nearly a year and has an ever-changing role as a Resident Assistant. Lenore spends at least three days every week at UGM helping with whatever is needed to keep the program running. There is not a task too large or too small for Lenore. She is an open book, with an air of transparency that is welcoming and warming to those around her. “There are no secrets in my life,” Lenore explains, “they are only detrimental to my health and relationships." Her commitment to confronting issues head-on is a blessing to residents, staff, and volunteers, who know they will always receive honest and straightforward feedback from her.

Lenore says she has grown closer to the Lord while serving at UGM. Things that used to worry her don’t bother her anymore. When you watch how the residents interact with Lenore, it is obvious she is loved. She is greeted with hugs and smiles, and sought after for prayer and encouragement.

~Josette Herdell, UGM Volunteer

The Father I Found: Pat’s Story of Redemption

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...

Read More
A Lifetime of Service and Beyond

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...

Read More
A Gift that Lasts

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 ...

Read More
UGM Idaho Hires Key Staff

1 min read

UGM Idaho Hires Key Staff

The Union Gospel Mission is pleased to announce the hiring of JoAnn Zajicek (ZI-check) as Director and Debi Pauletto as Community Relations Director...

Read More
A little girl's dream

A little girl's dream

Amanda & daughter Daisy "I think it's safe to say that when our residents were little girls, they did not dream of growing up to stay at a homeless...

Read More