6 min read
UGM Gathering 2025
At this year’s Gathering, we heard real stories from real people about how they—empowered by the tools, resources, and support UGM offers—have...
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5 min read
Embracing Life’s Twists & Turns: A Path of Hope in Recovery
Completing the 5-phase Life Recovery program marks the beginning of a life of recovery outside the walls of UGM. Individuals embark on a lifelong...
3 min read
UGM Connect: Renewing the Mind, Rewiring the Brain
As Mental Awareness month comes to an end this May, we'd like to share about the recent UGM Connect in Coeur d’Alene. We're grateful for the...
1 min read
Whatever You Do, Don't Give Up: A message from UGM shelter guests
Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager: September 27, 2023
If you’ve never experienced homelessness, abuse, or addiction or walked closely alongside someone facing those challenges, chances are you're never...
3 min read
What is a UGM Business Practicum?
Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager: August 9, 2023
At Union Gospel Mission, we want more for our neighbors experiencing homelessness than just a job, free meals, or temporary respite from extreme...
1 min read
Clean-and-Sober Summer Fun in UGM LIFE Recovery
Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager: August 2, 2023
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...
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...
3 min read
A Place to Move on From
Jessica Morgan, Director of Marketing and Communications: July 13, 2023
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...
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...
1 min read
A New Course for Life: A heart-to-heart message from Phil Altmeyer
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director: June 21, 2023
“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...
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....
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...
4 min read
Easter Devotional: Fixing our eyes on Jesus
Steve Ellisen, Director of Development: April 6, 2023
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...
7 min read
Breaking Free of Addiction: Anjelique's full-circle story
Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager: December 28, 2022
Written by former UGM resident Anjelique Pennington, December 2022
3 min read
Where There Is Breath, There Is Hope: Hear From UGM Shelter Guests
Genevieve Gromlich, former Content and Communications Manager: October 26, 2022
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...
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
The Gospel: Where life transformation begins
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: March 17, 2020
You’ve probably heard us say it before, but we don’t want there to be any mistake: UGM cannot change a person’s heart. Only God can do that. True...
5 min read
The Negative Split: Run for Recovery
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: February 13, 2020
UPDATE: Due to COVID-19, the Negative Split has been postponed until September 27. “Start strong. Finish stronger.” That’s the tagline for the...
4 min read
The 'Whole Person' Approach to Recovery
Union Gospel Mission: February 6, 2020
Dr. John Wolfe’s family has partnered with UGM in one way or another for decades. His father was an advocate for getting medical clinics at UGM...
5 min read
Generosity at UGM Thrift Stores
Union Gospel Mission: January 22, 2020
Laurie Johnson, “L.J.,” as she’s called at the UGM Thrift Store, is as dedicated a volunteer as they come. Over the years, she has volunteered with a...
3 min read
Running on the Road to Recovery
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: June 26, 2019
What in the world do running and homelessness have to do with each other? You might be surprised.
3 min read
God changed me through UGM.
Union Gospel Mission: April 25, 2019
The following testimony was given by Phil Reese, UGM Recovery resident, on Easter Sunday. In January of 2017, I was nearing the end of a four-month...
4 min read
Beyond Sobriety to Life Transformation
Union Gospel Mission: March 6, 2019
By Kirste Richards, LIFE Recovery Intake Counselor, UGM Center for Women and Children - One of the first things a woman hears when she comes to a...
4 min read
Recovery Changes People.
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: January 24, 2019
...and not always just the people you think. “In the interviewing process for potential staff, I always communicate that if they choose to accept...
2 min read
Real people. Real change.
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: September 21, 2018
On the surface, Mike, Debra, Justin and Samantha have seemingly nothing in common. Justin was born in Chicago with alcohol and meth in his system....