4 min read
The Community's Role in Resurrection
As we approach the Easter season, I feel gratitude for the Christian heritage that brings a deeper meaning to the season than Easter egg hunts,...
A couple months ago, a staff member at the Crisis Shelter wrote a blog on what it’s like living at a homeless shelter as a kid. In response to that post, someone presented us with the question: “What’s being done at UGM to help kids at our shelters?” That’s a great question.
As the Children’s Coordinator for Women’s Recovery at Anna Ogden Hall, Lori Bradley has worked with hundreds of kids and has created a system for helping the children at Anna Ogden Hall by reaching their moms. Not all our shelters for women and children use the same methods, but UGM believes the best way to care for kids is to help their moms and teach them how to become better parents – which happens at all our shelters. However, UGM does hope to someday provide children a recovery program that allows them to deal with past trauma.
For now, Lori describes some of the programs they currently use at Anna Ogden Hall to help the children who have been through so much.
I think the main thing we offer our kiddos is the hope of Jesus. That can sound somewhat trite, but it is so true. They have a Father that loves them unconditionally at all times. When they come from homes where they have not known that kind of love, it is that hope that is the anchor for their little souls.
One of the ways we show that is by being there consistently. I LOVE my volunteers. I’ve had some volunteers who have been working in the Children’s Department longer than I have. When those kids see those volunteers show up week after week to spend time with them and to love them, it is truly a picture of God’s love, and they need that so much.
Some other things we are doing in the Children’s Department at Anna Ogden Hall:
If you’d like to help care for kids at Anna Ogden Hall or one of our other shelters for women and children, Lori suggests a couple options.
To get started volunteering, click below.
4 min read
As we approach the Easter season, I feel gratitude for the Christian heritage that brings a deeper meaning to the season than Easter egg hunts,...
4 min read
Currently, a safe, clean-and-sober shelter does not exist in the LC Valley area, but UGM’s new shelter will provide a pathway out of homelessness for...
4 min read
At eight years old, Pat’s mom would share a beer with him. “Instantly, I was addicted.” At thirteen, drug and alcohol abuse became a constant. “My...
Recovery Kid-Style Of the 386 guests staying at UGM's four shelters on a recent evening, 99 of them were children. Not only do these children need...
When a mom arrives at UGM with children in tow, we know her needs are going to be complex. She needs to know the little ones will be safe, she needs...
By Kamee Bissell, former Counselor in Women’s Recovery at Anna Ogden Hall - Many of the women who apply for our LIFE Recovery Program at Anna Ogden...