The services homeless people need

(This article was posted in 2014 and updated in 2019.)

UGM: the Whole Person Approach

In its quest to break – not perpetuate – the cycle of homelessness, UGM seeks to address the underlying causes through a multi-layered, whole person approach.

LAYER 1: THE PHYSICAL

James provides these words of wisdom for anyone in the business of helping the homeless: “If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:16)

People cannot concentrate on life change when they are worried about where they’re going to sleep and what they’re going to eat. Hence, the first layer in UGM’s whole person approach is to meet a person’s physical needs.

See our locations page for addresses and phone numbers to get details about the following UGM programs.

MEN’S SHELTER

•Clean-and sober shelter for men.

•Three meals a day for checked-in guests; lunch and dinner open to the public.

•Laundry, clothing and showers for checked-in guests.

•Eye clinic Thursdays and medical clinics Wednesdays and Saturdays – call ahead for times.

CRISIS SHELTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN

•Safe, clean-and-sober short-term shelter for women and their children. Call for available space.

•Three meals a day, medical clinic and job and housing resources for checked-in guests.

LAYER 2: THE SPIRITUAL

The Mission unapologetically requires all residents to attend chapel and openly states that our approach to recovery is biblically based.

Saint Augustine said of God, “You have made us for yourself so that our hearts are restless until they rest in you.”

And Jesus asked, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:36)

We want everyone who comes through our doors to hear the Good News: The Creator of the universe loves you so thoroughly and completely that he was willing to sacrifice his own Son to bring you into relationship with himself. It is THE solution to man’s problems, and time and time again, we have seen men and women who wanted nothing to do with chapel be transformed by it.

Chapel is presented daily at the Men’s Shelter and five days a week at the Crisis Shelter.

LAYER 3: THE EMOTIONAL

UGM’s LIFE (Living In Freedom Every day) Recovery programs are residential programs lasting from 18 months to 2 years. The 5-phase program encompasses professional counseling, group therapy, classes, Bible study, health and wellness, job training and vocational components.

The recovery programs are offered free of charge by application at the Men’s Shelter, Anna Ogden Hall, and the Coeur d’Alene Center for Women and Children. Like all of UGM, these are intentionally maintained as safe and healing environments for people to address the emotional wounds that may be decades old, but still have consequences in daily life.

“God sending me here has just been the greatest thing he could have ever done for me because here I get to talk about it. I don't feel alone in my pain anymore. I get to share it. There's no secrets anymore. That's been the biggest healing medicine for me.” -Elizabeth

LAYER 4: THE MENTAL (EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL RESOURCES)

Many obstacles stand in the way of homeless men and women returning to society as contributing members – insufficient education, poor work history, a lack of marketable skills and felony record to name a few. Because we believe work is key to stability and purposeful living, UGM focuses on helping people overcome these obstacles.

VocEd Centers at each of the recovery locations provide educational assessments, GED prep, computer classes and literacy training. Additionally, each recovery participant is required to do a business practicum – 240 hours of volunteer work within a local business. Paid employment opportunities are also offered at UGM Thrift Stores, UGM Motors and the shelters.

The Employment Ready Program at the Men’s Shelter and Crisis Shelter was created to help people deal with the obstacles they face in finding suitable work. Through case management, individual problem areas are identified and a plan of action is created. Issues are addressed and confidence built through classes, work experience and a supportive community. Computer labs and coaching are available for resume creation, interview preparation and job search. (People who are dealing with addiction as a major obstacle to employment are encouraged to join LIFE Recovery instead.)

 “It was so important for me to be able to start working again so I could provide for my children. I was intimidated at first. … My boss was really encouraging, saying how good I was doing. Hearing that, I thought, ‘Maybe I can do this!’ ”   - Jolene

LAYER 5: THE SOCIAL

Learning to live in community is a critical aspect of UGM's programs.

 Dorm life, doing work therapy together, recreational outings, training in the Grace Process, Life Languages training, and daily community meetings all contribute to a focus on relational recovery.

“That was the biggest part, just to know that, ‘Hey, I can talk about this here. I’m going to find a lot of healing when I’m done.’ And people who have experienced the process encouraging me that ‘I know this is hard, but you’re going to get through it.’ Just the whole encompassing of everything and being surrounded by a lot of people who really, really deeply love you.” – Samantha, LIFE Recovery alumna

Learn more about UGM and the ways you can help homeless individuals by downloading this e-book: