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LIFE
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Inside stories of hope,
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Jim and Ken

3 min read

A Safe, Healing Community

UGM is more than a shelter. Deep at the root of everything we do—from creating a warm welcome to helping people heal, thrive and get back to work—lies the belief that every man, woman and child is created in the image of God with inherent dignity,...

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2 min read

Imago Dei - The Image of God

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27) At UGM, we believe every...

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3 min read

Meet Alexis: “I am Making Choices That Uplift Me”

Spoken by UGM resident Alexis at a phase celebration event, August 2021 “I spent the better part of ten years living for myself: existing in...

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4 min read

The Love of Jesus and Outrageous Fun Combined: An Exclusive Look at UGM Camp 2021

"The thing I loved most about UGM Camp was EVERYTHING." Joey, UGM camper Through the love and generosity of hundreds of community members just like...

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3 min read

Making Way for Miracles: Meet Dan, UGM Men’s Shelter Manager

 UGM Men’s Shelter Manager Dan McLellan works hard to create a safe, healing environment for every guest and resident, and he works hard to ensure...

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Steve Ellisen

4 min read

On Assignment for the Kingdom

Last summer, UGM was actively seeking a Development Director. Today, we’re introducing the unique man whom God called to the position.

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4 min read

First Steps to Real Change

A journey of 1,000 miles may begin with a single step, but it isn’t always easy to determine which direction that step should go. Michaelyn Hodges...

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3 min read

The Business Practicum: Getting People Back to Work

Gospel. Change. Jobs. These are our three distinctives. While the Inland Northwest is home to multiple organizations committed to serving people...

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5 min read

An Offering of Oil: When God Asks Imperfect People to Serve Imperfect People

Written by Lauren McCrea, Volunteer Mentor, UGM Center for Women & Children  I just thought I was going in to buy a new pair of running shoes, but...

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4 min read

Revealing the Mess Inside: The Value of Authenticity in Recovery

Recovery isn’t just the process of breaking an addiction or quitting a toxic habit; the core of real recovery is deep, inner healing. And we all need...

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3 min read

Low-Barrier vs. High-Barrier Shelter

All homeless shelters are not created equal. This may seem obvious, but before I came to work at UGM, I honestly thought they were. Pretty much,...

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4 min read

Behind the Scenes: Meet UGM’s Longest Serving Board Member

As UGM turns 70 this year, we’re bringing out “both new things and old things,” as Jesus said in Matthew 13:52. Looking back on our history, we are...

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5 min read

Recovery: Giving God the Wheel

“What brought me to UGM was waking up in the hospital after a failed suicide attempt.” Jenn Fleck had lived a life of abuse, addiction and, she says,...

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4 min read

Voices of Recovery: Beverly’s Testimony

Beverly Clark is enrolled in LIFE Recovery at the UGM Center for Women and Children. This is her testimony. “Without a question, I was a loved child....

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5 min read

Recovery: Reversing a Lifetime of Distrust

James Bureau’s childhood did not prepare him for life.Or, it might be more accurate to say, James’ childhood prepared him perfectly for the life he...

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4 min read

5 Key Elements of Real Change

What does it take to change? How do you break a twenty-year addiction? How do you stop being angry and resentful for all the ways you feel like life...

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1 min read

Partner Profile: Frank and Barbara Peretti

Frank and Barbara Peretti have a rich, full life. Frank is a New York Times best-selling author. Barbara is a watercolor artist. 

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3 min read

High-Impact Kids: Not Too Young to Make a Difference

Reaching children is key to breaking the cycle of homelessness. But even the best-intentioned adults don’t always succeed in connecting with kids...

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4 min read

Unchanging Truth in Changing Times

When Former Men’s Shelter Chaplain Jim Carson told us he’d like to host a Facebook fundraiser in honor of Union Gospel Mission’s 70th anniversary, we...

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3 min read

The Painful Truth that Leads to Freedom

Written by former Men’s Recovery Program Supervisor Mike Sholtz I had been working at UGM for only a short time when one of the men in the program...

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2 min read

Not a Lost Cause to God: Linda’s Story

Women's LIFE Recovery participant Linda shared this speech at the recent Phase Promotion at UGM's Center for Women and Children.  “I sat in a...

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4 min read

Failure Is Not the End of Recovery

“I never fully surrendered.” Vickie Proctor finished UGM Women’s LIFE Recovery in 2019. She got a job, she moved out, she was honored at Commencement.

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4 min read

It's a New Day: How UGM Camp Creates Hope

UGM’s Youth Outreach Director Ryan Brown got choked up when we asked him about his plans for this year’s series of week-long Summer Camps.

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3 min read

Forgiveness Breaks the Shame Cycle

“I’m getting older, and I didn’t want to be that old lady that’s out on the street, looking to get high.”Before coming to UGM, Kerri was staying at ...

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3 min read

Ending Self-Destruction: Sarah’s Story

Caution to the reader: This story contains references to abortion, prostitution and human trafficking.  “Sarah, I really want to help you.” Sometimes...

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