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We are Thankful
James Bishop: November 1, 2015
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We are Thankful - To Those Seeking Help
James Bishop: November 1, 2015
David, 31, spent half his life homeless. At the age of 14, he was taken from his family home due to a domestic violence incident. After that, he...
1 min read
Hopelessness to Homelessness
Union Gospel Mission: October 30, 2015
By David Nicosia, UGM Men's Recovery participant When I became homeless, there were so many feelings that led up to it. How stupid was I to allow...
3 min read
Living under titles
Union Gospel Mission: October 27, 2015
By Diego Rodriguez, Chaplain at Center for Women and Children Being a chaplain, I find that my hardest job is not helping someone understand that we...
2 min read
A Lasting Legacy of Vocational Education
Union Gospel Mission: October 23, 2015
On Tuesday, October 20, UGM held an open house and dedication for the new DeRuwe Center, an annex to the Men’s Shelter and administration building....
2 min read
Dismissing "Crazy": Part Two
Union Gospel Mission: October 20, 2015
In part one of this series on the label "crazy," Jessica investigates this word, what it means and why we use it. She left us in a difficult spot....
2 min read
Dismissing "Crazy": Part One
Union Gospel Mission: October 16, 2015
By Jessica Kell I don’t have much time to read the news these days beyond scrolling through headlines that, once registered, fade from thought. What...
3 min read
Can Men be Relationship Addicts?
Union Gospel Mission: October 13, 2015
By John Dunne, former UGM Counselor “I am a relationship addict.” This statement came out of the mouth of another man in my recovery group over 25...
2 min read
Lose the Label: Player
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: October 7, 2015
By Merrily Brast, Staff Writer “When I meet a woman, she’s kind of my drug in a sense. If she’s clean, I’m clean…that doesn’t mean I’m ‘sober.’”...
2 min read
Trace - Homeless
Union Gospel Mission: October 5, 2015
Trace spent 15 years intermittently homeless, fluctuating from employed to unemployed, living on the streets or in an RV without heat, running water...
Take Action: Give a Hand Up
James Bishop: October 5, 2015
How many times have you pulled up to a stop light and seen a man or woman holding a cardboard sign, asking for help? No one likes to see people...
3 min read
More than Soup: feeding the hungry
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: October 2, 2015
The Union Gospel Mission serves more than 900 meals a day at its four shelters, and if you’ve ever visited during meal time, you know we’re not...
3 min read
Challenge to Eat Together
Union Gospel Mission: September 29, 2015
By Rev. Riley Palmer Those who call Jesus Christ both Lord and Savior are part of a spiritual family. The Family of God consists of people from every...
2 min read
Lose the Label: Stupid
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: September 24, 2015
By Merrily Brast, Staff Writer Jeff LeBlanc believed he was stupid. “I just couldn’t get stuff and nobody could tell me why other than that I’m...
4 min read
Seeing the Image of God in All People
Union Gospel Mission: September 22, 2015
By Sonny Westbrook, UGM Ministries Director What a privilege it is to be ministering here at the Union Gospel Mission of the Inland Northwest-- a...
3 min read
Daring to Look Past the Label
Union Gospel Mission: September 17, 2015
By Pastor Kurt Staeuble Label (noun): 1. a slip of paper, cloth, or other material, marked or inscribed, for attachment to something to indicate its...
1 min read
Sharing Jesus with Children
Union Gospel Mission: September 15, 2015
Volunteer Michaelyn Hodges has a heart for sharing Jesus with the children coming to UGM. She recently answered some of our questions and explained...
4 min read
Lose the Label
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: September 10, 2015
By Barbara Comito, UGM Director of Marketing & Communications In early summer, the UGM Marketing & Communications team (two graphic designers, a...
3 min read
A Baptism at UGM Camp
Clare Pursch: September 8, 2015
By Clare Pursch, UGM Camp Blogger/Photographer Last week the staff at UGM Camp walked down to the river and watched as one of their own was baptized...
3 min read
Passionately Serving the Most Vulnerable
Union Gospel Mission: September 1, 2015
Randy Altmeyer has worked at UGM for 30 years, serving in various positions, and he and his family have played an integral role at the Mission. He is...
2 min read
Beyond Labels
James Bishop: September 1, 2015
Prisoner. Addict. Homeless. Drunk. When we use labels, we miss out on seeing people for who they really are. We confuse peoples’ actions with their...
3 min read
30 Years Serving at UGM
Union Gospel Mission: August 28, 2015
UGM Men's Shelter Chaplain Randy Altmeyer has served at UGM in several capacities over the span of 30 years. He is now retiring to embark on a new...
3 min read
Loved and Understood
Clare Pursch: August 25, 2015
By Clare Pursch, former UGM Camp Photographer/Blogger Two stories, two people, different ages, different lives. Same story, same pain, same...
5 min read
How to Prevent Relapse
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: August 21, 2015
Alcohol has dominated Jill Connor's life for the better part of 15 years. She has been through five separate treatment centers, but her sobriety...
4 min read
Relapse. Relapse. Relapse.
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: August 19, 2015
Editor's Note: Jill lost her battle with alcoholism on August 28, 2018. Relapse on Repeat By Barbara Comito, UGM Director of Marketing &...