Communities Are Moved By Regular People

Kailee and Kyle Miller were born and raised in Spokane, WA, and they deeply care for their city. Three years ago, they received a UGM mailer asking for meal donations. “We thought, a few dollars for someone else to be fed—that’s something we could do, and that was our regular giving for a while.” The more they learned about UGM and the holistic care we offer, the more the mission resonated with them.

“It’s part of our faith and just being lifelong Spokane people.

We wanted to give to a cause that was local to our area, and

we could see how UGM benefits the community.”

Kailee shares about a family member’s passing and hearing the success stories of people turning their lives around at UGM. “He had a ten-year battle with addiction and homelessness… To understand how much addiction impacts not just the individual but the family and the friends around them, and see people receive services that can help them break that cycle, is really impactful.”

They go on to discuss how recovery options are usually very expensive and a major strain on individuals and families. “It’s kind of unheard of to be able to go through a recovery that is holistic and…provides stability for mothers with children and the children receive care as well… [UGM] is sustainable.” Living in Spokane, they see the effects of drugs coming into our community, especially the rise of fentanyl. “So, to see UGM continue to offer services: it’s more important than ever right now for people struggling to have a place they can go, to belong, and to build a healthy community…

That first meal, the greeting when they walk in the door, the loving atmosphere

… they’re like, ‘Oh, I’m not just a number or statistic, but a whole person.’

And they feel valuable and dignified and loved, and it turns into recovery.”

Kailee and Kyle want to encourage other young families to understand that “This is your city, not people miles and miles away. There are people down the street from you that are benefiting from UGM. Typically, when you’re young, you’re not making a ton of money, and donating can be intimidating. When you think of a donor, you think of a millionaire. But communities are moved by just regular people. You don’t have to give a large amount. A meal for one person is less than three dollars. Just start there.” For the Millers, their giving is something they plan for, and it is a regular part of their finances.

“Any little bit makes a difference. There’s a person on the other

end of that dollar that gets a meal, and even that is huge.”

Want to help make recovery free?