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LIFE
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Inside stories of hope,
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Jim and Ken

1 min read

Clean-and-Sober Summer Fun in UGM LIFE Recovery

You’ve heard us say it before: part of Recovery is having fun, sober! Men and women who come to UGM for help breaking self-destructive patterns such as substance abuse and other addictions need so much more than just structure and accountability in...

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3 min read

All About UGM Camp: A free gift to low-income kids

As camp season 2023 enters another fun-filled week, we wanted to take a step back and recognize the phenomenal community achievement that is UGM Camp.

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8 min read

Tristan’s Pathway to Recovery, Phase by Phase

Tristan was living on a front porch. Over the course of eight years, his life had progressed from one devastation to another. “It started back when I...

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3 min read

A Place to Move on From

Sometimes Joe stops by my office to check in on me with a routine, “Hey, sister, how’s the family?” He’s not fazed by anything thrown at him—whether...

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3 min read

“Today, I’m Free”: UGM alumni discuss the road to recovery

For individuals dealing with overwhelming personal issues such as addiction, domestic violence, or a criminal record, UGM LIFE Recovery can be the...

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1 min read

A New Course for Life: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer

“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” (Proverbs 4:13) It’s hard to think long term. In today’s culture of...

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1 min read

Holistic Recovery Includes Quality Healthcare: A UGM partner feature

Fionnuala Brown and her husband are both experienced medical professionals who’ve committed to serving the Inland Northwest community in a variety of...

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4 min read

The Path to Lifelong Recovery

When UGM Spokane expanded to Coeur d’Alene in 2012, there were no other long-term recovery programs available for women and children in North Idaho....

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6 min read

Love the Valley: Reaching the unreached in the LC Valley

Does the LC Valley have a homeless problem? This is the question we asked Carly Klappenbach, Director of Engagement and Missions at CrossPoint...

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4 min read

Leor's Pathway Out of Homelessness

“I was sitting on a bench crying because I didn't know where we were going to go that night.” Leor lost her home when her husband passed away last...

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2 min read

"When I think of UGM Camp": Hear from Phil Altmeyer

Every summer, about 500 children from Spokane’s low-income neighborhoods are invited by their local church to spend a week at UGM Camp. While UGM...

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6 min read

The Dan Mader Story: Investing in the LC Valley

“The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord.” (Psalm 24:1) Fresh out of university, Lewiston-area native, Dan...

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2 min read

“In my first hit, my soul was celled”: A poem by Alora

UGM's 18-month-long residential recovery program, LIFE Recovery, is designed to help residents find freedom from addiction and other destructive...

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7 min read

Safety, a Solid Plan, and Time: Joel’s path to recovery

Union Gospel Mission’s LIFE Recovery program is more than a treatment program; it’s an in-depth approach to whole-person healing. It acknowledges...

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4 min read

A Conduit of God's Excellence: Letting ministry flow from the heart

UGM is not just shaped by knowledge, experience, and skill, but by the true condition of our hearts - collectively. Excellence in ministry flows from...

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3 min read

“He directs my steps”: Glenda’s path to restoration

Glenda is currently staying at the Crisis Shelter for Women and Children as a Resident Volunteer. Last winter, her life went quickly from bad to...

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4 min read

Easter Devotional: Fixing our eyes on Jesus

A favorite athletic event for me has been the relay race. The athletes not only run their leg of the race but also receive, carry, and then hand off...

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4 min read

Kallie's Testimony: Running the race with Christ

Kallie is a writer, photographer, and a dedicated mother. Raised in a church environment and given a good education, she is probably not who you’d...

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1 min read

The Power of the Gospel

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16a) Here at the Mission, we teach...

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1 min read

Helping Kids Find and Follow Jesus

Rebecca and Jeremiah Hughes and their kids are investing in the lives of Spokane’s at-risk children through their church and UGM's Youth Outreach...

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3 min read

“The Lord has made a path for me”: Ken's journey to recovery

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) Although providing meals, shelter, medical care, and job...

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3 min read

Double Blessings: UGM financial partners share the joy of giving

“We very much like to have our money matched any time we can.” – Houston Scrudder During COVID, longtime UGM partners Houston Scrudder and Alene...

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4 min read

High-Impact Kids: Not too young to make a difference

Originally published June 2021. Written by UGM Volunteer Lynn Yount. Reaching children is key to breaking the cycle of homelessness. But even the...

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3 min read

Dear Monster: A UGM resident’s letter to addiction

Written by Chrystin and read at the fall 2022 LIFE Recovery phase promotion at UGM's Center for Women and Children. Dear Monster,

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2 min read

More Than a Roof: Partnering to help the unhoused find home

The cycle of homelessness, abuse, and addiction is not halted simply with the provision of a roof and four walls. Although food and housing are...

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