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 reclaimed their lives through the transformative power of the gospel. This event was an opportunity to come together and hear from various arms of the ministry to learn more about what goes on inside UGM.

Updates in Leadership

For almost 39 years, CEO Phil Altmeyer has served at Union Gospel Mission. At last year’s Gathering, Phil announced his intention to retire. He ultimately decided that he will remain serving with no established retirement date at this time. He will retain overall executive responsibility, but he can step back from operational duties to focus on strategic projects, partner relationships, and leadership development. Operational leadership has been transitioned to JoAnn Zajicek and Steve Ellisen. 

JoAnn Zajicek has served for thirteen years as the director of Women’s Recovery Coeur d’Alene. She understands the DNA of our culture and has demonstrated faithful and consistent leadership and wisdom. She is now the Vice President of Ministry Programs.

Steve Ellisen has served as our Development Director for four years. He has brought to UGM a wealth of organizational leadership and is a tremendous asset to the culture of who we are, developing the leadership. He is now the Vice President of Ministry Resources.

 

“It is our hope to bring hope and healing to our neighbors who are struggling with homelessness and addiction.”

– Steve Ellisen

Our City is Hurting and in Need

The United States Department of Commerce estimates that in the Spokane County Region, there are 16,000 homeless people and 2,000 in the city of Spokane. 50% come from outside this area of our country.

“When I think of this region, this is a magnet for homeless people…Downtown is a picture of crime, garbage, drug use, it’s not pretty. What is the solution? Compassion with accountability. And consequences that move in the direction of change, so that our community can be a safe place for families to thrive. You provide a safe environment with hope for the future.” - Phil Altmeyer

See our video interview with Spokane County Sheriff Nowels about the fentanyl crisis’ impact on our city and on his family.

It’s Not Just Addiction

JoAnn explains that poverty, life emergencies, domestic violence, mental illness, and other circumstances are major factors. And it touches all of our lives.

“It is more than drugs.”

– JoAnn Zajicek

We can all take responsibility in some way to address the issue. What is UGM’s unique role? Helping people find a pathway out of homelessness by dealing with the root issue. With your partnership, we can create building blocks for people to have stable lives.

See Tracie interview Dianna about her journey out of homelessness:

“Now, I know who I am, I can make my own choices, and I can say no.”

– Dianna, resident

Life Recovery Program: Living In Freedom Everyday

Our Life Recovery Program is a safe, healing environment where men, women, and children can come and hear the Gospel. It’s an opportunity for them to go into their deep heart wounds and receive inner healing, develop coping skills, and work on their relationships.

“We have an opportunity to provide hope…I love seeing the men and women begin to dream again, to recognize who they are and how Christ made them. To understand the ‘why’. To address trauma. Learning to love, trust, and depend on the Lord.” – JoAnn Zajicek

Before entering UGM, Bianca lived in chaos and addiction. She says she was very prideful, a risk taker, and did not know the Lord. After trying fentanyl, she lost everything and came to rely heavily on criminal activity. She ended up in jail, which is where God reached her and told her He had a way out of the darkness for her. The judge over her case said they had seen tremendous things at UGM, and it would offer her real life change. Bianca says the thing that makes UGM different from other programs is the longevity—waking up every day for months in the Lord’s house, choosing to work on recovery.

 

“The only thing that was asked of me was to be the best me I could be and choosing to work on my recovery…and even now that I have moved out, that’s my mindset.”

- Bianca, resident

Classes helped her work through and understand certain behaviors and choices, and undo trauma she didn’t realize she was carrying. Alongside these classes, case management enabled her to handle her finances, learn responsibility, and navigate other aspects of life.

“My life right now is so peaceful…While I was in the program, I lost my mom, and she was like my best friend…I learned how to trust God and lean on Him in the hard times. I just moved into Aftercare apartments and have been hired full-time as a staff member at the UGM Thrift Store and volunteer weekly with the RA staff at our shelter…My hope for the future is that I can be an inspiration for others that life change is possible if you’re willing to put the work in and trust God.”

UGM Enterprises and Employment Training Opportunities

“Working at the thrift store has been such a blessing for me. I had a lot of anxiety reentering the workforce because of gaps in my employment and criminal record…I love that it is faith-based and we pray every morning…I also love it because it’s a platform where I can share my story and thank the customers and the donors for what they’re doing and investing in. They’re transforming lives.” - Bianca

Learn more about our enterprises and how UGM residents, like Ken, receive job training and opportunities, education, and long-term support:

“What a transformation! I owe it all to God. God’s given me UGM to give me the tools…all glory goes to Him…I feel more whole now.”

- Ken, UGM Life Recovery alumnus

Staying Connected is Key

Community is essential for recovery. We want to continue walking alongside residents for five or more years, statistically giving them an 85% chance of maintaining sobriety and recovery for the rest of their lives.

We come alongside them through support and accountability. We have recovery meetings, continue with support teams, and have safe and sober fun. Physical and spiritual needs are met beyond just the 18-month program.

“I think of it as a bridge that brings our graduates from a life recovery transformation over to living in freedom for the rest of their lives.”

- Kirsten Ridgewell

JoAnn and Aftercare Supervisor, Kirsten Ridgewell, interviewed Joseph about his experience in Aftercare at UGM.

Joseph expressed how being in the body of Christ, surrounded by caring people, was a major part of his recovery. “We are given time to process and communicate and sort through things. The time we are given and the fact that it is given to us is very transformational… Bible studies and recovery meetings, meals together, and having encouragement from men all around me have been huge.”

Joseph explains that Aftercare is a continuation of the recovery program. He still has his mentor and his recovery team, and is taking steps toward living independently, but still in the community. He is grateful for that foundation.

“Thank you so much for making it all possible…I’m just so grateful for the direct impact that volunteers and donors had directly on my walk and still do…Thank you for your servant hearts.”

- Joseph, UGM Life Recovery alumnus

Healing on the Front End

There are children in our communities who may someday come to UGM. There is so much trauma, instability, addiction, and drugs in their homes and communities. So, what can we do? We have a youth outreach program reaching out to low-income youth with trustworthy and supportive relationships.

Watch this video of a young woman’s story—how safe fun, making connections, and meeting the Lord at UGM Camp have transformed her life:

“If I didn’t have this camp experience, I wouldn’t have God and I wouldn’t be this close to God like I am, and I wouldn’t be the person I am. And if I didn’t have Him and didn’t go to camp, my sister wouldn’t have found Him, and it’s something very powerful.”

– Bella, former camper

We now have seven schools in the Spokane school district with our after-school clubs where we are reaching children who do not know Christ.

To make a difference, to meet these young kids early and introduce them to Jesus and a community of support—Camp is not just a fun week; we are connecting them with schools and resources so that they have support in their own neighborhoods. We get to work on the front end.

They can’t afford to go to camp, but because of your generosity, they can.

Together We Make a Difference

Together, we can make quite an impact. We all play a part, and we need you to ensure there is a pathway out of homelessness, abuse, and addiction for all that we are serving.

Ask the Lord: “What can I do today that can make a difference?”

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Thank You!

We want to thank everyone who attended for being a part of all the miracles God is doing. Thank you to our staff, volunteers, and donors who made this year’s Gathering possible, as well as everything we do every day. We were able to come together over delicious food thanks to our incredible culinary staff, whom we deeply appreciate.

Thank you to Valley Assembly for offering your building for us to use for our event. We are also very grateful to Mark and Cathy Poe at Poe Asphalt for being so faithful and committed for twenty years to sponsor this event. They do more than pave roads, they make a difference in our community.

“Praise the Lord! As we look to the future, He is still in the miracle business. I’m excited about the opportunities we have to grow and expand and do more of what we do to change lives. Thank you for your partnership in making that possible.”

- Phil Altmeyer

Thank you for donating, volunteering, and purchasing from our enterprises. It is a partnership seeing lives changed. It is miracle story after miracle story.