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LIFE
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Inside stories of hope,
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Jim and Ken

Crisis Shelter for Women and Children

6 min read

2023: A year of kindness

When we think back on the last year, there’s an overwhelming sense of goodwill and support from the Inland Northwest community that seems to only...

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2 min read

A Warm Welcome: Safety and connection for Belkis

In the last few years, we’ve served a growing number of immigrants and refugees from Venezuela in our shelters at UGM. The country suffers from a...

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4 min read

After the Fire: Relentless provision for Anita

Anita and her son’s family were victims of the formidable Oregon Fire in Elk this past August. On her journey from upheaval back to stability, Anita...

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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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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

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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5 min read

UGM Crisis Shelter: A Safe Haven for Women

Written by Heather Pollock, UGM Women’s Recovery alumna and former UGM employee. Stories. Everyone has one. My story with Union Gospel Mission begins...

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3 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

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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5 min read

Dusty's Second Chance

By Lynn Yount, UGM volunteer - At the UGM Thrift Store in Spokane Valley, you'll find more than bargains on high-quality clothing and housewares....

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5 min read

Partner Profiles: Volunteer Jenny Gasperino

“It’s not like I’m doing anything special, because I love it so much.” Ask Jenny Gasperino why she volunteers at the Union Gospel Mission, and you’ll...

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WHD Diane Crisis Shelter featured

3 min read

Trauma, Time, Trust: Helping Homeless Women

By Diane Hutton, Director, Crisis Shelter for Women and Children - Women often come into the shelter for the first time very fearful, broken and...

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10 min read

From Homeless to Hope Fountain

Kimmi (Halbrook) Lane arrived at the UGM Crisis Shelter nine and a half years ago as a guest. Little did she know it was the beginning of a journey...

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4 min read

Homeless, Hopeless, Loved

Being homeless can make you physically dirty. Its harsh realities can dull your senses and thicken your skin. It can drive you to do things you swore...

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3 min read

A Brief History of UGM, Part 2: 1987 to Present

Part 1 of the history of UGM covered our founding in 1951 through the retirement of Executive Director Harry Altmeyer in 1987. We pick up as his son...

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Dyann has escaped domestic violence and now loves to serve others.

4 min read

Dyann escaped domestic violence but had nowhere to go

Dyann was married to a man who abused her for five years. He hit her. He pushed her down stairs. At one point, she ended up in the emergency room...

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3 min read

Christmas: The Power of God with Us

Christmas celebrates the arrival of Jesus, the Son of God clothed in humanity, on the earth. One of the most beautiful descriptions of that...

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4 min read

Loving Women in Crisis: Karen Herford

Karen Herford brings high energy and broad experience to her new role as volunteer coordinator at the Crisis Shelter for Women and Children. We asked...

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4 min read

10 Things You Should Know About the UGM Crisis Shelter

The UGM Crisis Shelter for Women and Children is approaching its 13th anniversary in January. While the surroundings have changed dramatically in the...

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3 min read

The Crisis Shelter: Many Stories, One Home

Thousands of women and children have found solace at the Crisis Shelter since it opened in January 2007. They come from all walks of life. Some have...

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Kat and mom

4 min read

Comforting with the Comfort She Received

September 2018: This post was first published in August 2016. Since that time, the Crisis Shelter has moved to a new, much improved facility. (Yay!...

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4 min read

What Can Prayer Do in the Face of So Much Pain?

By Ron Hauenstein, Crisis Shelter volunteer "What have we begun, when we pray like this? What have we done? Can we ever know – what seeds we sow,...

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1 min read

Graduation Spotlight: Kat and Kanesha

Upcoming graduates Kat and Kanesha met at the Crisis Shelter. Before coming to UGM, Kat looked to material things – money, houses, cars – for her...

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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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3 min read

A Heart for the Homeless

Rich Schaus has completed 13 years of ministry at the Union Gospel Mission. He served approximately 5 years at Anna Ogden Hall before being appointed...

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