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Expo '74's legacy: A reflection on homelessness in Spokane
As we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Expo ’74, I want to take a look back in time. As a high school student, I heard about how the...
When asked how volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission has impacted her, Autumn Banks said, “It humbles me…When I look at the women, I see myself – one divorce away from homelessness, one beating away from being kicked out and one addiction away…so I see them as me. I truly do.
“I tell the women at the Crisis Shelter, I don’t know why you’re here, but I know the One who brought you here, and that whatever has happened to you, God has worked His way in that you have been brought to this place,” she said.
In addition to teaching Bible studies at Anna Ogden Hall and the Crisis Shelter, Autumn is Gigi’s mentor. She wanted to make it clear, however, that she doesn’t equate being a mentor with being a perfect role model. “I really think it’s a partnership more than anything. It’s just saying, I’m standing in the wake for you. You can glean from what I’ve experienced and go on your journey, knowing that God has sent someone to love you and to be with you.
“I may present like I have it all together, but I tell Gigi often, I’m broken. I’m as broken as you are. I’m just at a little different place because of my life experiences, but there’s no difference between us.”
If you’re interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Kari Reese (509-532-3856 or kari.reese@uniongospelmission.org).
3 min read
As we continue to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Expo ’74, I want to take a look back in time. As a high school student, I heard about how the...
6 min read
Freedom From Addiction Every June, we invite the community to Commencement, a celebration of the incredible successes of the individuals who’ve...
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Give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18) I’ve always marveled that one of the things God wills for our life...
“I was brought up in a family of musicians and my dad was the smartest man I’ve ever known, a philosopher.” Johanna is well spoken, educated and...
Safe Shelter Kimmi Halbrook liked to play, “Let’s Make a Deal” with God: Get me out of this scrape, and I promise to get my act together. But at 39 –...
As a case manager at the Men's Shelter, Bob McLellan says he’s become a better listener. “I used to be afraid to talk to homeless people on the...