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LIFE
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Inside stories of hope,
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Jim and Ken

3 min read

The Crisis Shelter: Many Stories, One Home

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 lost loved ones. Some are fleeing domestic violence. Some have lost jobs and children. And some are...

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2 min read

Learning Life Lessons at Camp

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...

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Kat and mom

4 min read

Comforting with the Comfort She Received

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!...

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4 min read

What Can Prayer Do in the Face of So Much Pain?

By Ron Hauenstein, Crisis Shelter volunteer "What have we begun, when we pray like this? What have we done? Can we ever know – what seeds we sow,...

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3 min read

Following His Lead: Kristen

“Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” I John 4:4b As assistant manager at the downtown UGM Thrift Store, Kristen Nitschke works...

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3 min read

Employment Helps the Homeless

By Gabe Shippam, Director of Men's Rescue Work Ends Homelessness Years ago, I started a ministry in the worst neighborhood in San Diego. Daily, more...

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3 min read

The Fatal Attraction of Addiction

Editor’s note: If you’re like me, you can probably think of at least one habit you’ve tried to break that keeps resurfacing , leaving you frustrated....

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2 min read

Joining Together for Camp

By Ryan Brown, UGM Youth Outreach Director There’s a beautiful synergy that happens at camp each year that is truly an example of the Body of Christ...

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4 min read

Lose the Label: "Drunken Indian"

By Barbara Comito, Director of Marketing & Communications “All this time, I thought being an alcoholic was being Native American. “We were always...

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1 min read

Imparting Skills and Confidence

As a volunteer job coach at the Men’s Shelter, Randy Crews recognizes the importance of building confidence and preparing men to re-enter the...

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3 min read

Finding God in Bad Situations

Editor’s Note: Barbara Comito here. Director of Marketing & Communications for UGM. This blog was written by my 18-year-old daughter, Izzy. It’s not...

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5 min read

Your Money’s in Good Hands.

Charlonne Ostrander’s job is all about money. Except it’s not. As donations processing manager, Charlonne oversees all the financial donations that...

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2 min read

Celebrating Beauty from Pain

The stories of the 33 men and women who graduated from UGM LIFE Recovery on Tuesday are diverse – addiction, unhealthy and broken relationships,...

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1 min read

Graduation Spotlight: Kat and Kanesha

Upcoming graduates Kat and Kanesha met at the Crisis Shelter. Before coming to UGM, Kat looked to material things – money, houses, cars – for her...

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2 min read

Recovery: A Holistic Process

UGM LIFE Recovery is five phases, each comprised of different classes that address recovery holistically – emotionally, spiritually, physically,...

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3 min read

Learning to Get Back up

By Joel Brown, Vocational Education Manger Recently, I began teaching my 7-year-old daughter how to ride a two-wheel bike. She was extremely excited...

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1 min read

Graduation Spotlight: Wendy Ross

“I remember asking Rich [UGM former staff member], ‘Why is it so much easier for women to make a commitment to guys they hardly know than to make a...

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3 min read

Empowering Youth: Adam

As an intern on the UGM Student Impact Team, Adam has taught, mentored, and led youth at UGM shelters, local high schools, and Juvenile Detention....

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2 min read

Empowering Youth: Christa

These days, millennials get a bad rap. They’re called lazy, selfish, rude. But when it comes to the millennials on the UGM Student Impact Team, these...

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4 min read

Jesus' Encounter at the Well

Raydeane Owens and her husband JO are lead pastors at Heart of the City Church in Coeur d'Alene, a church that has welcomed women from the Center for...

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2 min read

Shelter Life...A Child's Perspective

By Ellen Presley, former House Manager at the Crisis Shelter for Women and Children They brush their teeth, do their homework, eat dinner, do chores,...

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2 min read

It Started at UGM Camp

As a young kid, Zola lived with her mom, homeless in Compton, surrounded by an environment of drugs and prostitution. “I remember one time, because...

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1 min read

Take Action: Celebrate with Us

On June 21, 2016, men and women in UGM LIFE Recovery will graduate – the culmination of nearly two years of hard work.

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1 min read

Offering True Friendship

For nearly two years, the men and women in UGM recovery live in an uplifting community where there is constant access to support, and then, they must...

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Creative Connections: Whitworth Gives Books

For Founder George F. Whitworth’s 200th birthday, Whitworth University initiated a creative partnership with Union Gospel Mission. The university...

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