2 min read
Honoring Mothers in Recovery
The 18 to 24-month-long UGM Life Recovery program requires vulnerability, persistence, and commitment from the men and women who participate....
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5 min read
Pursuing Lifelong Recovery: Generations changed by a UGM family
The UGM Life Recovery program prepares individuals to break cycles, create healthy relationships, and balance responsibilities. Rachel commenced in...
3 min read
A Journey of the Heart: The love and power of the Gospel
Union Gospel Mission: March 13, 2024
Those who enter our Life Recovery program walk the path toward life change, receiving trauma-informed counseling, parenting support, life skills...
4 min read
Home for Good: Restoring family bonds after addiction
Jessica Morgan, Director of Marketing and Communications: December 6, 2023
Is there anything more cherished during the Christmas season than our families? The gifts, the candles, the carols, and the festive meals wouldn’t...
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...
5 min read
Is Housing the Answer to Homelessness?
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: July 20, 2022
Has America misdiagnosed the problem of homelessness? In her article “Does Poverty Cause Homelessness?” Marchauna Rodgers argues that we have. She...
5 min read
Young Fatherhood, Pain and Recovery: Eric’s Story
Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager: December 9, 2021
Eric Blackman was trying to live the party life. Alcohol, drugs and carefree days shaped his mid-twenties through early-thirties.
4 min read
Together for the Holidays
Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager: November 10, 2021
JUST TWO YEARS AGO THIS CHRISTMAS, Sarah was in a dark place. She had sent her six-year-old daughter, Lylee, to live with her mom in Texas, and CPS...
5 min read
Is Housing the Answer to Homelessness?
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: July 10, 2019
In her article “Does Poverty Cause Homelessness?” Marchauna Rodgers argued that the United States has misdiagnosed the problem of homelessness,...
5 min read
3 Ways Student Impact Gives Kids a Family
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: May 29, 2019
“This is literally our home. And three times a week, we invite 12 to 20 high-schoolers in.” That’s a succinct way to describe Impact Nights at the...
1 min read
Adopted into a Church Family
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: March 14, 2019
The relentless love started the first Sunday Charity’s family came into Christ the Redeemer church: “You can’t even walk out the door without 15...
5 min read
Family Breakdown: Restoring a Damaged Masterpiece
Union Gospel Mission: November 14, 2018
By Sonny Westbrook, Director of Ministries - All of God’s ways are perfect. One of His ways for life on planet Earth was to create the family unit....
2 min read
Elizabeth: Conformity vs. Transformation
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: December 2, 2016
If you hang around UGM for any time at all, you’ll hear talk of the difference between “checking the boxes” and pursuing real life change. Even when...
2 min read
It Started at UGM Camp
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: May 13, 2016
As a young kid, Zola lived with her mom, homeless in Compton, surrounded by an environment of drugs and prostitution. “I remember one time, because...
2 min read
Keeping good company
Union Gospel Mission: January 22, 2016
By Lynn Swanbom Yount, UGM Volunteer “It was hard for me to stay here because I didn't really like staying indoors … What made me really stay here...
4 min read
What I Know
Union Gospel Mission: December 11, 2015
Editor's note: This month, Phil Altmeyer is celebrating 30 years at the helm of the Union Gospel Mission. During his tenure, the organization has...
2 min read
Rachel - Not a Party Girl
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: December 1, 2015
IN HER PURSUIT OF PLEASURE, Rachel lost her joy. Disillusioned with the church, she ran away from God and became disconnected from family. “In the...
2 min read
The Root of Our Joy
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director: December 1, 2015
This sentence from the cover story struck me: “The day after Rachel was baptized, she received news that her father’s cancer had returned for the...
2 min read
Reunited: Mother and Daughter Recover Together
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: April 22, 2015
“I felt like she chose the alcohol over me.” Nicki Willis spent much of her life watching her mom, Darlene, sink into alcoholism. “I didn’t talk to...
3 min read
We Were Alone
James Bishop: February 1, 2015
You came alongside us. People with strong support systems don’t usually end up in homeless shelters.
2 min read
Encouragement Empowers
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director: January 29, 2015
“When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.” (Luke...
2 min read
Christmas Shopping that Helps the Homeless
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: December 5, 2014
By Merrily Brast, former Staff Writer “Try it on! Try it on!” As each of 20 cousins, aunts, and uncles from Tiffany Riddle’s family opened their...
2 min read
UGM Core Values: A Balanced Life
Union Gospel Mission: October 7, 2014
Bootcamp, Veggies and a Balanced Life By Jessica Morgan, UGM Lead Graphic Designer As a mother of three small children who works outside the home 40...
4 min read
We were Victims
Union Gospel Mission: February 1, 2014
You showed us the love and power of the gospel. You broke the cycle. “I used to be one of those teenagers who just didn’t care about anything. I went...
2 min read
Three of God's Children
Union Gospel Mission: October 1, 2012
CHRIS family breakdown, substance abuse Chris’ mom went to prison when he was three for selling cocaine. His dad hung himself when Chris was eight....