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Barbara Comito, former marketing director

Jim and Ken

2 min read

When you donate to UGM, where does your money go?

Frequently Asked Questions: How will my donation be used? By Barbara Comito, Director of Marketing & Communications When we asked the volunteers who greet walk-in visitors and answer the phone to tell us the questions that most frequently come their...

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1 min read

The Hells Angels and the UGM Crisis Shelter are neighbors.

The Softer Side of the Hells Angels By Barbara Comito, Director of Marketing & Communications The Hells Angels may have an image problem. Personally,...

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Bilbo chooses adventure over comfort

2 min read

Recovery: a story of brokenness and healing

Editor's note: This is the third post in a special Advent devotional series, focusing on Isaiah 61:1-3. You may also want to read the introduction,...

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2 min read

A Front Row Seat to Holiness

Editor's note: This is the first in an Advent devotional series based on Isaiah 61:1-3. Some of the posts in this series were first published as part...

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1 min read

Barber to the Homeless

Who is My Brother? By Barbara Comito Ron, UGM's Day Room Manager, has been getting his hair cut at Dan's Barber Shop by Jody for about eight years....

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3 min read

Once an Alcoholic...

Feeding the Hungry Series Meet Tod Randall, UGM Warehouse Manager Tod Randall is a logistics guy. He’s all about moving information or product from...

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Derek in the UGM Kitchen

2 min read

Feeding the Poor Vs. Feeding the Rich

Feeding the Hungry Series Meet Derek Mobley Derek Mobley could be working with lobster and filet mignon on a daily basis as a cook at the Spokane...

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3 min read

How to Pick a Charity

5 tips on how to be a discriminating giver Not many of us have piles of money lying around just waiting for the next good cause. And our time is as...

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3 min read

On the Edge of Homelessness

Precariously Housed* By Barbara Comito While working on the October issue of Mission News, I visited Fresh Start, a drop-in center for the homeless...

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4 min read

Addicted to Men

Amanda’s struggle to overcome relationship addiction Editor’s Note: We interviewed Amanda, 23, one year ago when she lived at the UGM Crisis Shelter...

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UGM staff worshipping together

3 min read

Recovery: in it together

Editor's Note: Last week the entire Union Gospel Mission staff met at UGM Camp for a time of bonding, renewal and training. The focus of the two-day...

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3 min read

UGM Motors: Reselling Cars - Rebuilding Lives

Get to know Curt Woodard: Salesman at UGM Motors If you browse the sales lot at Union Gospel Mission Motors, there’s a good chance you’ll be greeted...

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2 min read

Panhandling: to give or not to give?

“Give Real Change” Photo credit: daytondailynews.com It is hard not to be moved by a thin, weathered-looking man standing on the corner in crusty...

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Loving_relationships_collage

3 min read

UGM Core Values: Loving Relationships

Editor's Note: The Union Gospel Mission holds 10 core values as foundational to the culture of our organization. One of those, based on Matthew...

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6 min read

Rescue: Meeting people in the messiest of messes

Editor's note, March 2017: Since this was posted in 2014, the Crisis Shelter has moved to a beautiful, larger facility at 1515 E Illinois. Anne is...

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6 min read

Ending generational dysfunction and giving recovery tools to children

MEET LORI BRADLEY Children's Program Coordinator at Anna Ogden Hall Who is “Lori Bradley” outside of her job? Much the same as Lori Bradley in her...

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4 min read

What the Union Gospel Mission is all about

The Living, Breathing Story By Barbara Comito, UGM writer Sometimes I love my job. Tuesday night was one of those times. Twenty-five men and women...

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5 min read

Recognizing Addiction in Your Life

This is the second of a 2-part interview with Mental health Counselor Dave Edwards on how addiction affects all our lives. The first part, How do you...

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1 min read

Teenager to Camp Director: "You inspire me!"

"Aged to Perfection" by Hannah Jo Hannah Jo, 2013 camp intern, read this letter yesterday at Dennis Roach's retirement celebration. Dennis has been...

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6 min read

Introducing at-risk kids to awe, trust-building and unconditional love

Dennis Roach: 40 years of working with young people Youth Outreach Director Dennis Roach is retiring at the end of June after 13 years with the Union...

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jenna-day-309593-unsplash.donuts

4 min read

How do you know when you're addicted?

Addiction is so much bigger than drugs & alcohol. In this interview, Dave Edwards, a Spokane mental health professional and former UGM counselor,...

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5 min read

Eddie Collins: from homeless junkie to business owner

A Junkie No More Photo by Robert Peterson Eddie Collins was the subject of my first newsletter feature when I came to UGM in January 2008. He had...

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avoiding cropped-250949-edited

3 min read

Recovery: do I have as much courage as that homeless guy?

This is the second of two posts on UGM’s self-evaluation process. The first, “The courage to ask why I do what I do” explains how the process plays...

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Eric.small

3 min read

Recovery: the courage to ask why I do what I do

Change requires courage. Often when I forget why I am here – why I am writing yet another newsletter story, wracking my brain for a bit of Facebook...

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