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LIFE
at the
Mission

Inside stories of hope,
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Jim and Ken

Aftercare

7 min read

Safety, a Solid Plan, and Time: Joel’s path to recovery

Union Gospel Mission’s LIFE Recovery program is more than a treatment program; it’s an in-depth approach to whole-person healing. It acknowledges...

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Mike-Doggett_FINAL

5 min read

The Heart of Lifelong Recovery

By Mike Doggett, former Aftercare Manager - A little over 21 years ago, I consumed my last drink of alcohol and went on what has proved to be a very...

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mike-headshot-1

6 min read

It Won’t Be Different This Time

Editor’s note: Mike Doggett, UGM’s Aftercare Manager, addressed the recovery participants at a recent phase-up celebration in UGM Women’s Recovery....

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Christi and kids-cover

3 min read

Lifelong Recovery

Five years. It takes five years actively pursuing recovery for an addict to have a strong chance (about 85%) of lifelong recovery. Five years minus...

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Rex Reishus found out his small church needed him as much as he needed it.

3 min read

Why Get Involved in a Church?

Many of those who come to UGM for help have no family, or their families are still stuck in brokenness and addiction. Years of scrambling to survive...

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Mike Doggett, UGM Aftercare manager, knows what his clients are going through because he is two decades into his own recovery.

4 min read

Long-Term Recovery: The Right Kind of Hungry

Having recently celebrated the 2018 LIFE Recovery Commencement, we know the story is just beginning for the honorees. Their time at UGM was a time of...

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1 min read

Imparting Skills and Confidence

As a volunteer job coach at the Men’s Shelter, Randy Crews recognizes the importance of building confidence and preparing men to re-enter the...

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1 min read

Offering True Friendship

For nearly two years, the men and women in UGM recovery live in an uplifting community where there is constant access to support, and then, they must...

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Mike and mentor Tim

Take Action: Become a Mentor

With your help, UGM creates a strong community where people receive grace and feel accepted and loved. However, the men and women in recovery can’t...

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4 min read

I Was Angry

“I was a negative, angry, violent, depressed individual.” Dean Lynch, 45, came to the UGM Men’s Shelter on December 27, 2011 after losing his job,...

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1 min read

Aftercare: Bill and Jan Traynor

Bill and Jan Traynor were mentors before UGM had a mentor program. Several years ago they and other members from their church were preparing and...

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1 min read

Not Alone

Editor's Note: This is the fourth post in our series on being Ambassadors for Christ.

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1 min read

Volunteer Profile: Autumn Banks

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 –...

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2 min read

A Graduation Story

John and Trisha Whalen, who came from Montana to join the Union Gospel Mission recovery program, will be part of the graduation ceremony on June 19...

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1 min read

Christie at Life Center

Christie Buckley had a lot of fear around going back to work. Primarily, she worried whether she could be a whole, complete person and be a good...

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