"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing."
-1 Corinthians 13:1, 2
Having someone to love. We take it for granted.
We have a gal at the Crisis Shelter....maybe in her late 30's. She is mentally disabled, a little slow, and she's one of those people who have fallen through our society's cracks. We've known her for several years, and she has been asked to leave before because she often goes to a place of extreme anger and frustration where her language gets very vulgar, loud and unacceptable.
This time in, there's a beautiful difference. Someone, possibly a mental health counselor, has given her a baby doll to take care of. She believes this baby is real, and she takes very good care of it - shows it off, asks us for fresh diapers, clothes it. To her, this is a real baby that is her responsibility.
She is now peaceful, content, calm, and she is giving her love to this "baby" and that matters to her.
Love is a beautiful thing.
-Anne Simmons, House Manager, Crisis Shelter for Women and Children
Love is powerful, and it impacts lives. Send someone a reminder that they are loved.
3 min read
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director: July 18, 2024
As we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Expo ’74, I want to take a look back in time. As a high school student, I heard about how the...
6 min read
Freedom From Addiction Every June, we invite the community to Commencement, a celebration of the incredible successes of the individuals who’ve...
2 min read
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director: June 19, 2024
Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) I’ve always marveled that one of the things God wills for our life...
Union Gospel Mission : October 1, 2012
CHRIS family breakdown, substance abuse Chris’ mom went to prison when he was three for selling cocaine. His dad hung himself when Chris was eight....
Union Gospel Mission : January 3, 2014
When I say “counseling,” what do you picture? Most of us probably imagine two people in a quiet room, seated in comfortable chairs, talking. You’ve...
1 min read
Barbara Comito, former marketing director : March 2, 2017
Editor’s note: Recently we’ve been talking about mental struggles on the Impact Blog. From insomnia to trauma and addiction, there are many struggles...
