Marla shares her testimony

On May 3rd, Union Gospel Mission honored the ladies in our recovery community.  Union Gospel Mission was celebrating these ladies completing levels in their recovery program.  Each lady spent the semester attending classes, at a work therapy job assignment at the thrift store or at the Mission and worked through issues with counseling and case management.

Many of the ladies shared powerful testimonies of the growth they have experienced at Union Gospel Mission.  Many had been addicted, homeless or in abusive situations.  They are now safe and making strides in recovery.  Marla, celebrated three years of sobriety as well as her semester completion.  It was a great evening to celebrate the courage and hard work of women who are allowing God to heal and transform their lives.

If you would like to learn more about our women’s recovery program, please email Gloria at gloriah@ugmportland.org or Cheryl at cherylw@ugmportland.org

Union Gospel Mission’s Fusion internship and Fusion plunge programs offer dynamic learning experiences for college age and youth to be involved in serving the homeless, and experiencing the workings of ministry.

The Fusion internship program engages college students in serving as interns in a variety of roles, such as working with the homeless, with volunteers or working on marketing projects.  Past interns have hosted successful outreach events for the homeless and helped with online marketing projects.

The Fusion Plunge provides youth and college groups with extended learning and service experience.  Groups learn to break down barriers and are inspired to pursue biblical justice.

If you are a college age student looking for an internship experience, or if you want to learn more about Plunge, please contact Brianna Knuckey at briannak@ugmportland.org or call 503-274-4483.

Enjoy this video of how one busy mom simplified her giving:

At left, Devin when he entered LifeChange and Devin today

Six months before he came into LifeChange he was unemployed had burned every bridge with family and friends, “I had given up. I lost the desire to do anything; I thought I would just drink myself to death,” Devin remembers.

Devin’s mom let him know about LifeChange, and Devin came into the program in April 2011.

“Things are so different now. It’s challenging to live a new life because I have been drinking since I was 13. I am much happier and I have joy in my life. I’m focused on my relationship with God and trusting in Him that I will have what I need,” says Devin of his life now.

“Before I came to Union Gospel Mission, I seriously contemplated suicide. I had burned all my bridges. This place offered me a chance when no one else would.”

Your support changes lives! You can help more people like Devin have a second chance, click here to donate

In addition to a delicious meal, guests received snack packs with soda, cookies and other treats. For the third year, Union Gospel Mission provided guests with Hope Tote hygiene kits that contained items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, tissues, socks and more.  On Easter Sunday Union Gospel Mission gave away 526 Hope Tote hygiene kits! Thousands of hygiene items were collected and donated by volunteers, it was a great community effort.

Bill Russell

You may have already filed your taxes or you’re looking at the calendar realizing you should get on it pretty soon! Many of you who donate to Union Gospel Mission and other charitable organizations utilize your charitable giving as a deduction when you prepare your taxes to lower your tax bill.  Now that deduction is in jeopardy. Congress is considering eliminating, capping or limiting the charitable deduction provision in the tax code.

Eliminating or capping the charitable deduction is wrong on many levels.  First, if this policy goes into effect it will likely reduce the amount of charitable donations coming to Union Gospel Mission and other charities, forcing us and other organizations to cut back on vital services. Second, it gets rid of an effective, century- old incentive for people who have been blessed with means to care for their communities.   Third, as charities experience decline in donations and cut back services to the poor, the frayed and debt ridden safety net of the government will be under even more pressure to provide services to those most in need.

Government services cannot offer what Union Gospel Mission offers. Not only do we provide food and clothing to meet the physical needs of people, we also connect to the whole person. Helping a person to recover from addiction, get healing from past hurts and trauma and we minister to the person spiritually and share the good news of Jesus Christ. The government cannot do this and they should not do this!

Eliminating or capping the charitable deduction is bad policy for everyone. If you agree, here are three things you can do to stop it:

• Contact your representative in Congress. Let them know you oppose eliminating or capping the charitable deduction
• Tell your pastor, church community and other charities about this policy discussion.  Let them know that the charitable deduction is in danger
• Share this information with your family, friends and neighbors and ask them to join you in contacting their congressional representatives.

Join us for an exciting night of Trailblazer Basketball on Saturday December 29 at 7:00 pm, and help Union Gospel Mission!  $5 from each ticket sold in several sections of the Rose Garden will benefit Union Gospel Mission.

To make sure your ticket purchase benefits the Mission, use this link http://tickets.trailblazers.com/deals  and enter the code FAITHUGM.

If you are still thinking about the ideal Christmas gift for the sports fan in your life, please consider giving these tickets! Not only will you get to enjoy a fun evening of Trailblazer basketball, but also help Union Gospel Mission provide meals and care to the homeless and people in need.

The Trailblazers will face the Philadelphia 76ers and tip off is 7:00 pm on Saturday, December 29. Hope to see you there!

We are very excited about a partnership with our friends at Woodburn Company Stores.  Our campaign will bring awareness to more people about the needs at Union Gospel Mission, thanks to our “On a Mission to Win!” contest with Woodburn Company Stores.

You could win a $500 gift card to shop at Woodburn Company Stores! All you need to do is “Like” Union Gospel Mission and Woodburn Company Stores on Facebook, and then fill out this entry form.

Associated Business Systems had workplace clothing drive, and Mission guest, Dennis, received some much needed items

December is here and the weather is cold and getting colder.  For those trying to survive on the streets, proper clothing is vital.  Every weekday and on Saturday afternoons, Union Gospel Mission provides all kinds of clothing to the homeless and people in need.  The Mission’s clothing closet includes blankets, socks, jackets, pants, shirts and more.  Occasionally, there are not enough of some items.  It’s very hard to say to a person trying to survive out on the streets, “Sorry, we have no socks for you today” or “Sorry we don’t have a blanket or coat for you today.”

That’s why WE NEED YOUR HELP! We don’t want to turn anyone away! Please drop of new socks, and gently used blankets and winter clothing off at 3 NW Third Avenue in Portland, or consider organizing a clothing drive at your workplace, church or school.

We need:

New socks and undergarments

New or gently used blankets and sleeping bags

New or gently used coats, pants and winter coats

New or gently used gloves, scarves and hats

Mike Wilson, LifeChange resident, helps guests who come to the homeless day room

As the cold and rain hits Portland, OR, the homeless population gathers and waits for the doors of Union Gospel Mission to open at 2 p.m. for the warm lunch offered daily.

Michael Wilson, a LifeChange member and volunteer, talks about the affects of the cold weather on the homeless and himself,  “I feel compassionate and overwhelmed by the love shown to me by my savior, from my addiction and mess that I called life.  When I see the people just sitting out there in the rain and cold I remember how we need to appreciate the little things”

Portland gets around fifty-five percent of its rain from the months of November to February and so it is a welcomed opportunity to Portland’s homeless as they are able to enjoy a warm meal with a roof over their head.  During these fall and winter months Portland Union Gospel Missions provides individuals the opportunity to serve, and to be served, as we build the community of our city and our Lord.

By Matayah Fox