Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager
3 min read
Longing for Community
Every year, the holiday season seems to start earlier—decorations go up and purchases are made in preparation for Christmas long before December....
At UGM, we are rich in partnership. Year after year, the Inland Northwest community partners with the Mission to create life-changing opportunities for men, women, and children desiring to break the cycle of homelessness, abuse, and addiction in their lives.
Here are some of the ways our guests were blessed by your love and good deeds in 2022.
JANUARY
The gift of a brand-new van for the Center for Women and Children was made possible by one very generous partner in collaboration with Thrifty Car Rental & Car Sales!
Local mom Shannon and her sons donated handmade flannel blankets to the men at the Men’s Shelter.
The Spokane Valley District 1 Firefighters' Union delivered brand new coats to the Crisis Shelter.
February
Staff and volunteers took a group of men in the recovery program on a snowshoe hike in Idaho and Montana.
The West Valley Varsity Basketball Team toured and served dinner at the Men's Shelter.
A group of high school seniors from the Student Council Groups at Coeur d’Alene and Lake City High Schools delivered hygiene items and snacks to the Center for Women and Children.
MARCH
Little Caesar's delivered 20 donated pizzas to the Crisis Shelter.
Local realtor Stephanie Peterson delivered armloads of hygiene items for shelter guests.
APRIL
Nicks Boots gave UGM resident Scott a custom pair of handmade leather boots to assist in his return to the field as an ironworker.
Volunteer Nels Cox works hard in the production department at UGM Thrift Stores.
About 400 members of the community attended the annual UGM Gathering where experts presented on the correlation between childhood trauma, addiction, and homelessness.
MAY
Melissa and Brecken from Hamilton and Indiana Starbucks made a surprise delivery of coffee for our hardworking staff!
The staff from Summit Church spent an extended lunch hour at the Men’s Shelter, cleaning, weeding, serving, and visiting with guests.
JUNE
Our friend Jody held her 5th annual garage sale to send kids to UGM Camp. She raised $1,300—enough for nine sponsorships!
A volunteer brought a butterfly habitat to the children at Anna Ogden Hall. We used it to teach how to be gentle and kind and how butterflies grow.
Pounder’s Jewelry provided a gift of jewelry or a watch to every man and woman honored in the UGM LIFE Recovery Commencement celebration.
“And let us consider how we may
spur one another on toward
love and good deeds.”
(Hebrews 10:24)
JULY
Wheel Sport Bikes donated used bikes, bike parts, and even some brand-new gear for the men and women involved in UGM bike programs.
Multiple youth groups from Washington, Idaho, and even Montana visited our shelters to do service projects, serve meals, and spend time with our guests.
AUGUST
Intechtel provided a gift of $300 so residents of the Center for Women and Children could enjoy a day at the North Idaho State Fair!
Little Cora created beautiful handmade cards to celebrate each man honored in the Men’s LIFE Recovery phase promotion.
SEPTEMBER
To commemorate the completion of their vision boards, volunteer Jenny Gasperino created special tee-shirts for Crisis Shelter residents in the Employment Ready Program.
Southside Christian Church sent their youth group to trim bushes, mow the lawn, and clean guest rooms at the Crisis Shelter.
OCTOBER
More than 80 people attended UGM’s World Homeless Day prayer walk and handed out supplies and resource cards to men and women living on the streets.
The Rathdrum Bible Church quilters provided cozy, handmade quilts AGAIN, marking ten years of giving to the Center for Women and Children.
Embrace Equine Ministry partners with the Center for Women and Children by providing horse therapy, an 8-week equestrian course, for UGM residents in phase one of LIFE Recovery!
NOVEMBER
250 members of the community attended one of our two holiday-themed UGM Connect events. They enjoyed hearing testimonies from program participants and learned about all the ways they can be ambassadors for UGM in their communities.
Through our Fall Food Drive, individual partners, churches, and a few businesses collected a grand total of 15,000 lbs. of food and hygiene items for our guests!
On Giving Tuesday, the community raised over $142,000 in response to the $105,000 match provided by a group of generous partners.
DECEMBER
Our friend Lyn Smith delivered 125 hand-crocheted scarves to keep guests and residents warm this cold winter. This was her third year sharing her handiwork with us!
People came off the streets to enjoy a festive Christmas Eve dinner of prime rib which was generously provided by a consistent (but anonymous!) donor. THANK YOU!
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