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LIFE
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Mission

Inside stories of hope,
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Jim and Ken

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 life-saving services, they are often not enough to stabilize a life infused with chaos.

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2 min read

Decades of Faithfulness: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer

While 2022 was a year of exciting new partnerships and profound love and sacrifice in our community, I sit at my desk this New Year and marvel at the...

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1 min read

Creative Partnership: A church, a dentist, and a forklift dealer

What do a church, a dentist, and a forklift dealer have in common? Creative partnership at Union Gospel Mission. New Hope Baptist Church brings...

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3 min read

2022: A Year of Love and Good Deeds

At UGM, we are rich in partnership. Year after year, the Inland Northwest community partners with the Mission to create life-changing opportunities...

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4 min read

Time, Talent, Treasure: How you can partner to end homelessness

You’ve heard it said before: UGM would not be what it is without people like you investing their unique giftings and resources to reach our neighbors...

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Residents in UGM programs are urged to connect their career path with their passions, something our Business Partners have made possible time and again. Meaningful work is a cornerstone of recovery.

2 min read

Partnering to Get People Back to Work

Work is a key ingredient in the effort to break the cycle of homelessness, abuse, and addiction. And while you’ll find current and former residents...

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3 min read

God Incarnate: Total vulnerability and perfect peace

Imagine placing your greatest treasure—a treasure on which the fate of the world rests—into the hands of someone who had never had a job, never lived...

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2 min read

Christmas at UGM: A warm welcome into a community that cares

The snow has come, the days are nearly at their shortest, and Christmas is right around the corner. But what is Christmas if you’re homeless? Is...

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Phil Altmeyer

2 min read

As a Mother Loves Her Child: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer

“As one whom his mother comforts, so I will comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13) For the past ten years, I’ve been teaching the UGM women’s Bible study. I...

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His Song

1 min read

The Gift of Song: How a UGM chapel provider offers more than a church service

“We tell people we’re not here to perform; we’re here to worship,” says His Song president Joel DeVries. His Song is a men’s gospel singing group...

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3 min read

A Pathway to a Better Life: How Brianna and Daisy found hope together

“I took the path that would get me to her as soon as possible.” - Brianna, UGM Women's Recovery This season is one that turns our thoughts toward...

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2 min read

Healing from Addiction: Shanena's written testimony

Shanena (pronounced Shane-na) completed UGM Women's LIFE Recovery at the Center for Women and Children in Spring 2022 and recently reached out to...

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5 min read

Valuable and Worthy: Debra’s Journey Toward Holistic Recovery

“For a couple years, I was running the streets. Had lost my job, my kids, my house, everything.” Although 2017 and 2018 were two of the hardest years...

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There is Hope

3 min read

Where There Is Breath, There Is Hope: Hear From UGM Shelter Guests

If you’ve never experienced homelessness or a debilitating addiction, chances are you’ve struggled knowing what to say to someone in the midst of...

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6 min read

Recovery for Children: How the TBRI Model Offers Healing for Broken Families

“When you can connect to the heart of a child, everything is possible.” - Dr. Karyn Purvis, co-creator of Trust-Based Relational Intervention® Family...

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Homelessness Today

2 min read

Homelessness Today: Why Housing First Isn't Working

Each year, as the November elections approach, our staff members and volunteers are often asked about the homeless crisis in Spokane. Why is the...

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4 min read

Staff Feature: What Turns “Shelter” Into “Home”?

Everyone needs a roof over their head, but is “home” something more than shelter? As we strive to reach all our neighbors experiencing homelessness,...

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2 min read

Heart to Heart with Phil Altmeyer: Louder Than Words

The articles in our recent newsletter are all about words—words that changed the course of people’s lives, words they want to speak into the lives of...

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Lorna

1 min read

Providing Peace in Crisis: A Medical Volunteer Feature

UGM received a remarkable gift when Nurse Practitioner Lorna Schumann joined the Medical Clinics as a volunteer.

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What I really needed

4 min read

“What I really needed…” Former Addicts Discuss the Choice to Change.

We know people need love. People need a safe community, connections to housing, medical care, and jobs. They need to know they’re not alone, they’re...

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4 min read

Homelessness Today: Why It’s Hard to Accept Help

Think for a moment about a time when you faced a life-altering choice. The hours and days before the decision can feel like you’re staring down two...

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2 min read

UGM Camp: Kids Breaking the Cycle of Poverty, Abuse, and Addiction

Every summer, UGM partners with local churches to invite at-risk children from Spokane's low-income neighborhoods to enjoy a week at UGM's riverside...

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3 min read

UGM Church Partners: Raising Kids to Serve

Churches and youth groups all across the Inland Northwest (and beyond!) are using summer break as an opportunity to teach young people to see and...

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4 min read

Employment Training in a Culture of Recovery

Helping our guests put an end to their homelessness is never as simple as just finding them employment. Before being able to land a job, many require...

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