Skip to the main content.
Donate Need help?
Donate Need help?

LIFE
at the
Mission

Inside stories of hope,
courage, and recovery



Sign Up Today

Jim and Ken

staff

UGM financial partners, vehicle donors, thrift store shoppers, volunteers

3 min read

A Thanksgiving Reflection: Our mission, your partnership

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, UGM Development Director Steve Ellisen pauses to reflect on our organizational core value of Thankfulness. His work...

Read More

4 min read

Safe Shelter and Opportunity: Meet Tyler, UGM Lead Resident Assistant

With the turn of the season, our attention shifts towards staying warm and preparing for the onset of frigid weather. Simmering soups in the kitchen,...

Read More
Steve Ellisen

4 min read

On Assignment for the Kingdom

Last summer, UGM was actively seeking a Development Director. Today, we’re introducing the unique man whom God called to the position.

Read More

4 min read

Unchanging Truth in Changing Times

When Former Men’s Shelter Chaplain Jim Carson told us he’d like to host a Facebook fundraiser in honor of Union Gospel Mission’s 70th anniversary, we...

Read More
Bitz family

7 min read

Working Where God is at Work

Behind the scenes at UGM, you’ll find a number of people who don’t like to attract attention, but whose work is essential to the mission of reaching...

Read More
Gwen, UGM's Director of Ministry Advancement, helps our ministry partners

7 min read

Giving from the Heart

Gwen Schwartz’s journey into her position at UGM was so much more than a job search. God prepared her with the passion, experience and skills she...

Read More
2L7A6646-1.jpg

5 min read

Your Money’s in Good Hands.

Charlonne Ostrander’s job is all about money. Except it’s not. As donations processing manager, Charlonne oversees all the financial donations that...

Read More

6 min read

Keeping UGM's Doors Open: Robbie Bremer

The counselor cannot say to the maintenance worker, “I have no need of you,” nor again the meal server to the case manager, “I have no need of you.”...

Read More

3 min read

Passionately Serving the Most Vulnerable

Randy Altmeyer has worked at UGM for 30 years, serving in various positions, and he and his family have played an integral role at the Mission. He is...

Read More

3 min read

30 Years Serving at UGM

UGM Men's Shelter Chaplain Randy Altmeyer has served at UGM in several capacities over the span of 30 years. He is now retiring to embark on a new...

Read More

3 min read

Q & A: UGM Staff Veterans

This month, we at UGM have explored the topic of freedom - what it is and what it is not. Recently, we asked some UGM staff military veterans...

Read More

2 min read

July 4th Traditions

We asked UGM staff and residents about their past or present Fourth of July traditions. Here’s what they had to say.

Read More

3 min read

A Heart for the Homeless

Rich Schaus has completed 13 years of ministry at the Union Gospel Mission. He served approximately 5 years at Anna Ogden Hall before being appointed...

Read More

2 min read

Leadership and Community Engagement

In this second part of an interview with Debi Pauletto, Debi describes her history at UGM and looks forward to the future. But first, Executive...

Read More

2 min read

Engaging the Community to Help Women and Children

This week, we are celebrating Debi Pauletto, the community relations coordinator at the Center for Women and Children. Debi has worked at UGM for 16...

Read More

3 min read

UGM Motors Sales Manager: Tom Frederick

Tom Frederick recently took the title of Sales Manager at UGM Motors, but he has held several positions since arriving at UGM. Here, Tom shares about...

Read More
Joel.Voced.sm

4 min read

A Look into Vocational Advancement

Recovery from addiction takes healing the whole person. Joel Brown works in Vocational Advancement helping men heal both mentally and emotionally. He...

Read More

2 min read

The Desire to Serve, the Ability to Lead

Meet Keith Green, UGM Board President, 2005-2014

Read More
Ryan-Brown_FINAL

3 min read

I was empty

This article was first published before Ryan Brown started as the Youth Outreach Director. He's been on the job for almost four years now, and...

Read More

4 min read

We were Victims

You showed us the love and power of the gospel. You broke the cycle. “I used to be one of those teenagers who just didn’t care about anything. I went...

Read More

3 min read

Making Old Things New

“My exterior has nothing to do with my heart.” Zachariah’s story is written in ink all over his body. His mom died when he was 12. The tear drop...

Read More

1 min read

UGM Idaho Hires Key Staff

The Union Gospel Mission is pleased to announce the hiring of JoAnn Zajicek (ZI-check) as Director and Debi Pauletto as Community Relations Director...

Read More

2 min read

Happy Mother's Day 2012

For over 20 years, Nancy Helldorfer’s relationship with her son, Steven, brought more heartache than joy. “From the time he was ten until he was 35,”...

Read More