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LIFE
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Jim and Ken
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3 min read

Love and Power of the Gospel

By Sonny Westbrook, Director of Ministries The celebration of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead is a high point of the year for all sincere evangelical Christians. It focuses our attention on one of the most significant chains...

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3 min read

LeAnna - Lost

Throughout her life, LeAnna Vargas was repeatedly treated as though she had no value, and eventually, she began to believe she didn’t. Feeling...

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2 min read

Why Go to Chapel?

For the majority of people coming through the doors of the Union Gospel Mission, the most pressing issues are shelter from the cold, a warm meal, the...

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1 min read

Giving Women Hope

Following the death of their daughter, caring for women became a top priority for Blondies Salon Owners Marie and Rene’ Lacroix.

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2 min read

Feelings, Faith, and Freedom

An Easter season reflection by former UGM staff writer, Merrily Brast.

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2 min read

Lose the Label: Druggie

By Merrily Brast, UGM Staff Writer There was a time when Chris Turner had his life together. He kept out of trouble and was confident in his career....

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6 min read

Keeping UGM's Doors Open: Robbie Bremer

The counselor cannot say to the maintenance worker, “I have no need of you,” nor again the meal server to the case manager, “I have no need of you.”...

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2 min read

Passing on Encouragement

Prior to entering into recovery at UGM, men and women undergo “pre-phase,” an evaluation time and trial period to discover whether LIFE Recovery is a...

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3 min read

How do you define "home?"

By Cherise Stutzman, UGM Volunteer Two weeks ago, a friend of mine moved from Idaho to Europe. Today, I asked her to define the word “home.”

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2 min read

Lose the Label: Delinquent

By Ryan Brown, Youth Outreach Director Every Wednesday and Sunday there’s a particular group of young people who gather to hear and discuss the word...

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4 min read

A Passion for Recovery: Part 2

In the first half of this interview with Mike and Jina Doggett, we discussed how they came to work at the Union Gospel Mission and their personal...

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5 min read

A Passion for Helping People in Recovery

Meet Mike & Jina Doggett By Lynn Yount, UGM volunteer Mike and Jina Doggett are both on staff at UGM, but this couple’s passion for helping the...

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3 min read

What Is Sexual Addiction?

By Dave Edwards, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Fantasy: The word conjures up all kinds of thoughts, feelings and images in one’s mind....

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2 min read

Addiction Firsthand

The following is a firsthand account of addiction and recovery written by a former resident of Women's Recovery at Anna Ogden Hall. Jessaca finished...

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3 min read

Lose the Label: Victim

“In the beginning, I thought I was free,” Rowan said, “and in the beginning, I thought he was going to be everything I ever wanted—he had a Mohawk,...

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3 min read

Lose the Label: Powerless

Always Numbing JR Mills first started drinking at 14 with her mom who was an alcoholic. In high school, a friend offered her meth. “I was addicted...

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5 min read

I Resolve to Remember

By Barbara Comito, Director of Marketing and Communications 2015 was a rough year for me and my family. My husband lost his job of 16 years due to a...

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2 min read

Keeping good company

By Lynn Swanbom Yount, UGM Volunteer “It was hard for me to stay here because I didn't really like staying indoors … What made me really stay here...

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2 min read

Lose the Label: Addict

“Addict” is like a bright red, sticky label that obscures the person behind it. It’s as though nothing else about the person matters. She’s an...

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2 min read

Tim - Not a Meth Head

“I was in a constant cycle of me, me, me, and that’s all it consisted of. I didn’t care who I hurt, who I stole from in order to get high.” Tim...

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2 min read

What do You have in Common with a Drug Addict?

“Addiction” is a strong word. Most of us probably wouldn’t use it in reference to ourselves or we’d use it in a joking manner like, “Yeah, my...

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Mike and mentor Tim

Take Action: Become a Mentor

With your help, UGM creates a strong community where people receive grace and feel accepted and loved. However, the men and women in recovery can’t...

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1 min read

Caring for Women and Children

Russ Henderson isn’t letting his age get in the way of helping those in need. At 91, he’s an avid supporter of the women and children at Anna Ogden...

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1 min read

Church Connections: Heart of the City

Raydeane Owens, lead pastor at Heart of the City Church in Coeur d’Alene, recently described why the church believes it’s important to welcome those...

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2 min read

I resolve to grow

By Merrily Brast, former staff writer I have always wanted to be tall. For as long as I can remember, I’ve wished for the long legs and arms that...

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