David Box, a volunteer at UGM of Salem, has been donating his barber skills at the Mission for over four years. In 2014, David decided he wanted to get involved by offering his unique skillset, so he scheduled an appointment with UGM’s Volunteer Coordinator. “I came in and spoke with someone and thought maybe there’s […]
When Shirley arrived at UGM’s Simonka Place for Women and Children last spring, she knew her way around. This was her fifth time here and her second in our New Life Fellowship recovery program. However, this time something was different. Shirley was finally ready to succeed. Since she left the program in 2015, Shirley says, […]
The sun is finally here and warmer weather means more chances to get outside. Here at UGM, staff also encourage men and women in our program to get outside too. Physical activity and finding healthy avenues for fun is an important part of the recovery process. “In recovery, it’s important for our clients to find […]
A note from Sarah, Simonka Place for Women & Children’s Learning Center Administrator As the Learning Center Administrator at Simonka Place, I help women every day to gain skills for ongoing success after graduating the New Life Fellowship program. Part of the NLF program is taking classes in our Learning Centers. These include life skills, […]
We can all use a little encouragement now and then… and we’re blessed to have family, friends or church leaders to walk a difficult road with us. However, our homeless neighbors here in the Salem-Keizer area have virtually no one to lift them up, to offer helpful advice or even to pray with them. That’s […]
When Michael arrived at Union Gospel Mission of Salem, he had just completed a round of chemo for pancreatic cancer. Michael’s use of prescribed medical marijuana to ease his symptoms had “brought about a lot of bad choices, and it essentially put me where I was at — homeless.” In fact, Michael was no stranger […]
“I had so many trials from being married young,” Laurie recalls. She divorced her husband and left with her two young daughters, but Laurie’s trials were just beginning. “I was self-centered and my daughters went back to their dad.” Alone and regretting her family’s break-up, Laurie began drinking. “Alcohol is a terrible thing for me. […]
As a member of UGM’s Search and Rescue outreach, when Bruce Donohue ministers to homeless men and women sheltering in tents or abandoned buildings, he counts his blessings… because he’s been where they are. 5-7 days a week, Bruce Donohue heads out to minister to our homeless neighbors. UGM has three vans in service, one […]
Marlie was out of her comfort zone on her first day as a volunteer at UGM. In fact, she was “deer-in-the-headlights nervous. I was afraid I’d do or say the wrong thing or slow the serving line down.” She admits that she did all of those things at first but she kept coming back because […]
Over the past four years, Melvin Slate has seen several hundred men through Union Gospel Misson’s Restoration House, a program for men transitioning from prison life back into the community. Each man has a unique story to tell and a God-given plan only he can fulfill, but they share a common bond. “A lot of […]
