4 min read
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: June 13, 2018
A common thread among many people who enter the LIFE Recovery program is an absent or abusive father. Samantha’s story reflects the devastating...
4 min read
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: June 7, 2018
Shame says… You are ugly. You are stupid. You are worthless. If people knew the real you, they would hate you. Work harder, do more, try to earn love...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: November 21, 2017
By Kirste Richards, UGM Counselor - Gratitude plays an important role in my ministry as a counselor at the UGM Center for Women and Children in Coeur...
2 min read
Barbara Comito, former marketing director: September 19, 2017
Recently I was asked what I love best about my job. I could have said writing. I have wanted to be a writer since my second grade teacher, Mrs....
3 min read
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: August 29, 2017
Each person who comes into UGM recovery comes in broken. The program extends the love of Christ and brings his truth to bear on their brokenness. As...
4 min read
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: July 13, 2017
We talked about trauma recovery and why it’s important for people like Jocelyne in July’s Mission News. On one hand, it’s complicated: family...
5 min read
Phil Altmeyer, Executive Director: June 29, 2017
Every industry develops its own lingo. Shelters and recovery programs are no exception. We talk about “old wounds” and “relapse” and “triggers.” Our...
2 min read
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: June 22, 2017
“I ended up on the streets, homeless and literally sleeping outside, and UGM offered a place to stay. It’s better than not having a roof over your...
6 min read
Union Gospel Mission: June 7, 2017
You may notice we’ve changed the name of the annual event we used to call "graduation," and here’s why: The former name gave the impression that...
4 min read
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: April 27, 2017
Courage was on display at Tuesday’s phase promotion celebration for the Men’s Recovery program. For one thing, it isn’t easy for anyone to admit they...
4 min read
Union Gospel Mission: April 6, 2017
When trauma and schoolwork intersect By Joel Brown, UGM Director of Ministries It is 9:25 in the morning and Billy (named changed to protect privacy)...
2 min read
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...
4 min read
Union Gospel Mission: October 13, 2016
By Mike Doggett, UGM Aftercare Manager In 1994, I white knuckled it! I was told that I had a drinking problem, and rather than accept this prognosis,...
3 min read
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: September 30, 2016
A year ago, you may have seen a beautiful, bright red-haired woman named Rachel on some of UGM’s billboards, with the word "Addict" crossed out. You...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: September 23, 2016
When Tiffany, Director of Vocational Advancement, discovered she needed a kidney transplant, finding a willing donor was no easy task. After waiting...
3 min read
Lynn Yount, UGM Volunteer: September 16, 2016
Dan Eylar, a technician at Union Gospel Mission Motors, knows cars. He's worked on them professionally for more than 30 years, so he's seen just...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: September 14, 2016
Recently, five men completed the UGM LIFE Recovery program. Each came to the Mission broken and found healing. These men shared about their journeys...
1 min read
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: June 16, 2016
Upcoming graduates Kat and Kanesha met at the Crisis Shelter. Before coming to UGM, Kat looked to material things – money, houses, cars – for her...
2 min read
Union Gospel Mission: June 10, 2016
UGM LIFE Recovery is five phases, each comprised of different classes that address recovery holistically – emotionally, spiritually, physically,...
3 min read
Union Gospel Mission: March 15, 2016
Throughout her life, LeAnna Vargas was repeatedly treated as though she had no value, and eventually, she began to believe she didn’t. Feeling...
2 min read
Merrily Roe, former staff writer: March 8, 2016
By Merrily Brast, UGM Staff Writer There was a time when Chris Turner had his life together. He kept out of trouble and was confident in his career....
4 min read
Union Gospel Mission: February 17, 2016
In the first half of this interview with Mike and Jina Doggett, we discussed how they came to work at the Union Gospel Mission and their personal...
5 min read
Union Gospel Mission: February 11, 2016
Meet Mike & Jina Doggett By Lynn Yount, UGM volunteer Mike and Jina Doggett are both on staff at UGM, but this couple’s passion for helping the...
2 min read
Union Gospel Mission: February 5, 2016
The following is a firsthand account of addiction and recovery written by a former resident of Women's Recovery at Anna Ogden Hall. Jessaca finished...
2 min read
James Bishop: January 15, 2016
“I was in a constant cycle of me, me, me, and that’s all it consisted of. I didn’t care who I hurt, who I stole from in order to get high.” Tim...
