3 min read
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: November 11, 2016
Military service ran in Ben’s family. Growing up, he planned to follow suit. But first, he wanted to let loose. “I moved to Arizona and I started playing with some guys in a band. I was looking for crazy and I got it. It was partying every night,...
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3 min read
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: November 9, 2016
Annie Crain thought her medical career was behind her when the former RN and her husband moved back to her native Spokane area last year after...
2 min read
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: November 3, 2016
He had the jobs, made the money, wore the nice clothes, had the stuff, but Eric Samuels never quite felt good enough. “I was striving to do good all...
4 min read
Union Gospel Mission: October 28, 2016
By Sonny Westbrook, UGM Director of Ministries One of the core values we hold dear here within UGM is Christ-likeness. Christ-likeness is the...
4 min read
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: October 25, 2016
My title is Director of Marketing & Communications, but my job is telling stories. For almost nine years, in one way or another, I’ve been...
1 min read
James Bishop: October 19, 2016
Roberta, Kathi, and Ginger - lovingly referred to by the Center staff as the "faithful team" - earned their nickname because of their dedication to...
2 min read
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director: October 19, 2016
After 30 years in homeless ministry, you'd think I would have it all figured out, that I could coast along to retirement. I'm chuckling at the...
4 min read
Union Gospel Mission: October 13, 2016
By Mike Doggett, UGM Aftercare Manager In 1994, I white knuckled it! I was told that I had a drinking problem, and rather than accept this prognosis,...
6 min read
Union Gospel Mission: October 10, 2016
Each year, UGM tries to do something to mark this day – 10/10 – something to say, We see you. We’re paying attention. For the last two years, we’ve...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: October 7, 2016
In many ways, volunteers make UGM’s world go ‘round. They help with everything from case management to medical care to chapel. In 2015, approximately...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: October 5, 2016
By Gayle Havercroft, UGM Facilities Manager There are many terms and words that give aspects to the idea of “team.” While other terms are useful, I...
3 min read
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: September 30, 2016
A year ago, you may have seen a beautiful, bright red-haired woman named Rachel on some of UGM’s billboards, with the word "Addict" crossed out. You...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: September 28, 2016
By JoAnn Zajicek, Director at the Center for Women and Children During monthly staff meetings at UGM's Center for Women and Children, team members...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: September 23, 2016
When Tiffany, Director of Vocational Advancement, discovered she needed a kidney transplant, finding a willing donor was no easy task. After waiting...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: September 21, 2016
By Wil Wilhelm, former UGM Director of Development How many times have you heard a Sunday message at church about stewardship and the main point was...
3 min read
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: September 16, 2016
Dan Eylar, a technician at Union Gospel Mission Motors, knows cars. He's worked on them professionally for more than 30 years, so he's seen just...
2 min read
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director: September 16, 2016
Sometimes we are blind. The problem (for most of us) isn’t with the function of our actual eyeballs, the cornea or the retina or the optical nerve....
1 min read
James Bishop: September 16, 2016
Serving meals at a California rescue mission several years ago made a lasting impression on Jerry and Stephanie Belden. So much so that, when they...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: September 14, 2016
Recently, five men completed the UGM LIFE Recovery program. Each came to the Mission broken and found healing. These men shared about their journeys...
2 min read
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: September 9, 2016
Hopefully, you're seeing new billboards going up around Spokane and Kootenai County similar to the ones we put up last fall. Our “Lose the Label”...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: September 7, 2016
A couple months ago, a staff member at the Crisis Shelter wrote a blog on what it’s like living at a homeless shelter as a kid. In response to that...
2 min read
Union Gospel Mission: September 2, 2016
UGM Camp is over for the summer, but it's worth ruminating on those marvelous eight weeks a little longer. (Unfortunately, the last week of camp was...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: August 30, 2016
Thousands of women and children have found solace at the Crisis Shelter since it opened in January 2007. They come from all walks of life. Some have...
2 min read
Union Gospel Mission: August 26, 2016
By Ryan Brown, UGM Youth Outreach Director “Can I keep Him?” asked Marquise as he came walking towards me with a small Styrofoam cup. As I glanced...
4 min read
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: August 24, 2016
September 2018: This post was first published in August 2016. Since that time, the Crisis Shelter has moved to a new, much improved facility. (Yay!...
