Matt Lewis has worked with the guests at the Men’s Shelter a little more than a year – first as a resident advisor and now as day desk supervisor. His passion to share God’s love with people who are broken and hopeless is evident in every way, including his answers to our questions about his area of UGM's ministry.

Editor’s note: We decided to switch up our usual Q+A format by putting Matt’s last answer first. We believe his heart shines brightest there and helps explain his passion both for his ministry at UGM and in the whole of his life.

Each year, UGM tries to do something to mark this day – 10/10 – something to say, We see you. We’re paying attention. For the last two years, we’ve been down at Riverpark Square with a big white board, asking people to put a “hand up” for the homeless. Children loved the exercise, and hopefully, it helped to raise awareness of homelessness in Spokane. But this year, we decided to do something a little different.

By Cherise Stutzman, UGM Volunteer

Two weeks ago, a friend of mine moved from Idaho to Europe. Today, I asked her to define the word “home.” 

“When you know that you’re bad, you always feel like you’re doing something wrong.”

After meeting her biological parents and realizing her mother and father were both addicts, Sonja believed she was just damaged goods; a bad seed.

Troy is a likable guy with a quick smile. He learned and remembered my name the first time I met him, and ever since then, if I pass him – even if I’m halfway across the parking lot – he never fails to greet me. He has a gift for making people feel like they really matter.

While 2015 Point-in-Time Count numbers for the nation showed an overall decrease in veteran homelessness, the statistic for homeless veterans in Spokane increased between 2014 and 2015 from 85 to 101.

Editor's Note: This blog post is part of a series on homelessness. Part 1 explained the magnitude and complexity of the problem. Part 2 was a story about one homeless couple and their struggle to get off the streets. Part 3 introduces UGM's take on a solution. For starters, we suggest you...

By David Nicosia, UGM Men's Recovery participant

When I became homeless, there were so many feelings that led up to it. How stupid was I to allow myself to give up, quit jobs, drink too much the night before work, cheat on women who really loved me! How stupid I was to procrastinate on my bills, and feed myself alcohol and drugs instead of a home cooked meal! How did I get to be so dumb?

By Merrily Brast, Staff Writer

“I thought it was me, all by myself. I’ve got to do everything, period. No help. And then, I walked through the east door.”

In "The Reason Why," the author gave a description, through her story, of why she believes many women get involved in unhealthy relationships or turn to addiction. In the conclusion, she struggles with her past but, eventually, finds her true identity.