Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager
5 min read
Gratitude in Recovery
One of UGM’s core values is Thankfulness, and this month we reflect on the pursuit of gratitude in our day-to-day lives and in the work of healing...
What do a church, a dentist, and a forklift dealer have in common? Creative partnership at Union Gospel Mission.
New Hope Baptist Church brings special chapel services to the Crisis Shelter. Every guest is prayed for and invited to seek God’s will and wisdom for her life. This church has partnered with UGM in a wide variety of ways over the years. They have provided clothing, toys, jewelry, bulk laundry detergent, school supplies, Easter bags, cash gifts, and so much more. Pastor’s wife Shawn Watkins says that since its foundation, New Hope has been a “giving church.”
Dr. Rex and Kathy Moody partner with UGM Medical Clinics to bring dental triage and oral surgery services to Men’s Shelter guests. Although Dr. Moody, DDS, has retired from his own practice, he and his wife continue to facilitate connections between guests and specialists who are willing to provide their services free of charge or accept Medicaid. Recently, former UGM resident Mark Hohnhorst got dentures with their help. Before going in for his final appointment, he said, “It will be nice to not be afraid to smile.”
Norlift gave the first of several forklifts to UGM in 2012, and had already been partnering with us by hiring men from the Men’s Shelter to work day labor shifts at their facilities. They have since provided abundantly in several capacities including adding to our fleet of Thrift Store and Warehouse forklifts—each worth about $50k. We asked why they’ve chosen to give so generously to the Mission. “As Christ-followers, we have a mandate to care for the widows and orphans,” said President Jay Jarvis.
These articles and more are published in our January Mission News in which we detail the MANY ways our community partners together to pave a pathway out of homelessness for our neighbors in need.
3 min read
A Pathfinder Responding to the Call from God
by Daniel Dailey, UGM volunteer I used to think, “If I’m going to be involved with anything like UGM, it needs to be effective.” The Holy Spirit...
4 min read
World Homeless Day
Every year on October 10, people around the world take a day to acknowledge the needs of those in their communities facing homelessness, and we...
2 min read
Me-Dependent vs. God-Dependent
Union Gospel Mission : July 1, 2012
In the waiting room of the law office where she now works, Gigi Leger described her old approach to life: “What I struggled with and what sent me...
Derek at the Davenport
Union Gospel Mission : January 1, 2012
Work ethic has never been Derek's problem. "I've worked since I was 12." Before he came to the Mission, he was working on the natural gas pipeline....
Homelessness: Defining the Problem
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director : June 11, 2019
In his book “When Helping Hurts,” Dr. Brian Fikkert explains the far-reaching consequences of defining poverty incorrectly. He likens it to a doctor...