2023 Annual Report

OUR MISSION

Union Gospel Mission of Salem is a non-profit organization helping men, women, and children break free from homelessness through the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.

HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY

Salem has the largest homeless encampment in Oregon. It is less than 2 miles from our front door.

In January 2023, the Point in Time (PIT) Count for our community recorded over 1,600 neighbors sleeping each night without safe and secure shelter of their own.

In 2022, 110 individuals in our community lost their lives to drug overdoses.

Over 60,000 of our neighbors live below the poverty line.

Enough. Union Gospel Mission of Salem is here to help individuals break free from homelessness, providing hope and serving as a lifeline to discover new possibilities for our neighbors.

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND BOARD CHAIR

Drawing inspiration from Proverbs 31:8-9, which urges us to "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy," we stand resolute in our commitment to advocating for and serving others in our shared community.

In the past year, Union Gospel Mission of Salem has been showered with blessings as we continue our journey alongside neighbors thirsty for life transformation. Your steadfast support has played a pivotal role in providing compassionate care to all who walk through our doors. We've served over 160,000 meals and offered more than 60,000 nights of safe shelter. Notably, 18 New Life Fellowship participants successfully graduated, embodying renewed, active community members—hallelujah!

Reflecting on the fall graduation held in our chapel, we witnessed the community filling every space, standing in every nook, erupting in applause for the significant effort our graduates dedicated to gaining new life. It was an undeniably remarkable night.

Union Gospel Mission of Salem firmly believes that lives transform through the collective contributions of our community's gifts and talents, fueled by the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.

As we celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, we eagerly anticipate continued abundance in the upcoming year. On behalf of those we serve, our Board of Directors expresses deep appreciation for your unwavering support.

Thank you for being a beacon of hope and contributing to the restoration of lives!

God Bless,

Dan Clem

Executive Director

Candi Hughes

Board Chair

2023 AT A GLANCE

192 PROFESSIONS OF FAITH

18 NEW LIFE FELLOWSHIP GRADUATES

299 INDIVIDUALS MOVED INTO THEIR OWN HOMES

169,825 MEALS SERVED

11,284 COUNSELING SESSIONS

211 JOBS SECURED

60,000+ NIGHTS OF SAFE SHELTER

THE NEW LIFE FELLOWSHIP

A Brief Overview

The New Life Fellowship (NLF) offers a transformative discipleship program extending God’s love and grace to people in real need of life change. Throughout the program, participants stabilize, challenge false beliefs, and learn to walk in a Christ-like way. We strive to connect our program participants to a local church, prepare them for employment, offer education and housing. However, our ultimate goal is to demonstrate to everyone that a new life is possible through Jesus Christ.

Requirements of Admittance

Our New Life Fellowship admission process is guided by three core requirements: Brokenness, Openness, and Desperation.

To continue in the NLF, you must stay clean and sober, live on site in dorm rooms, and accept the challenges of life in community.

Common Misconception

The New Life Fellowship is often misunderstood as solely a recovery program, but it goes beyond that.

Although we provide support for those seeking recovery, the NLF is designed to empower participants with the tools needed for a successful and independent life, rooted in Jesus Christ.

Fellowship Structure

First is the candidacy phase, where participants assess their readiness and establish a support network. Second is the discipleship phase, lasting up to 15 months, where momentous growth takes place. Third is the exodus phase, preparing participants to move into successful and independent living.

NLF CLASS OF SUMMER 2023

GLENNA’S STORY

Glenna grew up in Portland, where she was the only child to deaf parents. Her early years were marred by persistent bullying, centered around her weight. "I faced a constant barrage of shame." This shame convinced Glenna that she was unworthy, "I struggled to believe I deserved a fulfilling relationship. Who would want someone like me?"

Eventually, this belief led Glenna to the streets. Caught in a relentless cycle, she found herself oscillating between the homes of friends, her van, and the familiar backdrop of the Safeway parking lot.

It was not until she came to Simonka Place that she encountered the unwavering support necessary to break free from the suffocating burden of pressure and shame that had cast a shadow over her life. "Gradually, step by step, I am making progress and moving forward."

Glenna became a participant of the New Life Fellowship. While many in the Fellowship are navigating the challenges of overcoming substance abuse, Glenna's journey looked different. Reflecting on her initial hesitations, she shares, "I realized that people can be addicted to various things—old behaviors, negative habits, and wrong patterns that they're attached to, just like substance abuse." The transformative Shame Resilience class, a cornerstone of the New Life Fellowship, played a pivotal role in helping Glenna shed the addiction she had been battling.

The positive changes in Glenna's life haven't gone unnoticed by her loved ones. "My daughter shared, 'Wow, Mom, you're really doing well, aren't you?' I responded, 'Yes, I'm so happy here,' and she said, 'Mama, I can tell. I can really tell.'"

GRADUATE HIGHLIGHT

JOHN

"My biggest challenge before arriving at the Mission was myself."

John, one of eight siblings, originally hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas, relocated to Oregon at the age of five. His early years were marred by the darkness of abuse inflicted by his father. "He was an abusive individual, subjecting both my mother and my younger siblings to physical, mental, and emotional suffering." The scars from the abuse led John into the clutches of addiction by the age of 8.

John's journey through addiction spanned nearly four decades, leading him into homelessness and despair. In 2014, he first sought life change at the New Life Fellowship. Upon completing the program, he pursued an education, but his surrender to sobriety was not complete, and he found himself ensnared by addiction once again. He describes this cycle, saying, "It's like, you get sober, you start feeling good. You find yourself in a situation where you're physically stable and somewhat mentally stable. Then, you forget what got you there in the first place, and you become prideful, relying on your own understanding rather than God's."

It took John hitting this new rock bottom to fully surrender. "I was just exhausted from the constant struggle. So, I reached out and prayed to God, asking, 'What should I do?' He answered, 'Go back to the Mission.'" This time, the Mission became a pivotal turning point, offering him not only shelter and support but another chance at life.

Since returning back to the Mission, John has found a sense of community and a renewed purpose, shedding the weight of his past. He looks forward to returning to school in early 2024.

Yet, John's aspirations extend beyond personal growth; he harbors a profound desire to work in drug and alcohol counseling. He firmly states, "I know the person God wants me to become." After conquering four decades of addiction, he stands as a beacon of hope for those who have yet to see that true life change is possible.

"I hope that people will support the Mission because it really does change lives."

THE JUNE SIMONKA GIVING CIRCLE

In 2023, we successfully facilitated the transition of over 299 individuals from our programs to secure and stable housing.

The June Simonka Giving Circle, an integral part of UGM and a member-based group, played a pivotal role in leading and funding the Welcome Home Initiative. This initiative is committed to providing comprehensive support for women transitioning from Simonka Place to independent living.

Addressing a range of needs, from toiletries to basic home decor, and collaborating with our Donation Center to acquire furniture, we extend our support well beyond the duration of their stay in our care.

Giving Circle member, Amy, reflects on the impact of this initiative, stating, “knowing moms will most often spend anything extra on their children, it delights me to help make that new home functional and pretty for the Mom.”

To join in this meaningful effort, visit ugmsalem.org/giving-circle to learn more about becoming a member of the June Simonka Giving Circle.

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” - Proverbs 31:20

SUPPORTER HIGHLIGHT

AMY MCLEOD

How do you personally define and interpret the concept of community involvement?

“It's the challenge for each of us to assess what we have been given and discern where we are able to give back just a small portion of the blessings. I think of the good measure given to me, pressed down, shaken together and running over. It's that running over part that's there for me to use through my community involvement.”

In what ways does your faith play a role in your commitment to UGM and its ministry?

“Psalm 68:5 tells us, ’Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.’ His aim is to show orphans mercy, care, and protection, and because these waiting children are essential to him, they should be essential to us as his Church. As God has shown me mercy, care & protection, I feel compelled to love and support what He deems essential to us and his Church.”

Why do you think it's important for services like Simonka Place to exist in our community?

“These women are our sisters, our daughters and granddaughters. And their children are our future. Our communities can either take a tremendous amount of resources to feed, clothe and house these individuals or we can come alongside them, through the services provided by Simonka Place and help them to feed, clothe and house themselves.”

VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT

TOM MANN

Why do you Volunteer?

“I believe that there are no throw-away people in God's kingdom so I focus my ministry, mentoring, and friendship with people who the ’world’ marginalizes. Everyone deserves to know the Jesus who saved me so my mission in life is to pour everything I know into others.”

Could you share a standout experience or moment from your time as a volunteer?

“There are quite a number but for me there was a guy at Restoration House who had spent a lot of time in prison. But his desire for the Lord was real. He and I spent a lot of quality time together doing discipleship, life-coaching, and just being friends. It was a great experience. Unfortunately, he passed within a couple years of his release from prison but I am positive I will see him again!“

How has your faith influenced your volunteering experience?

“I'd never do any volunteering with UGM if it were not for my faith. Without the love of Christ in my life I could not love these people. So, all the glory goes to God!”

EAT MOR CHIKIN!

For the past year, Chick-fil-A® I-5 & Chemawa Rd in Keizer has joined forces with Union Gospel Mission of Salem at Simonka Place and Restoration House, in the battle against food insecurity within the community.

Through the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, the restaurant consistently contributes its surplus food each week to the UGM, enabling the creation of delicious meals for those facing food insecurity.

In the inaugural year of this partnership, the restaurant donated over 4,800 pounds of food, equivalent to approximately $34,000 in value!

“It's been a full year of delightful dishes and satisfied bellies,” remarked Julie Anderson, kitchen supervisor and the visionary behind the meals created from surplus Chick-fil-A food at Simonka Place. “We are profoundly thankful that Chick-fil-A I-5 & Chemawa Rd has empowered us to enhance our menu, and we eagerly anticipate an enduring partnership with them.”

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship is at the heart of our core values. We hold a deep commitment to being accountable and faithful stewards of the abundant blessings provided by God through our generous community.

REVENUE

General Giving: $4,338,507 or 58.6%

Other*: $2,262,062 or 30.6%

Mission Store: $803,074 or 10.8%

* includes valuation of Gifts in Kind that are received.

EXPENSES

Program: $6,234,712 or 79.5%

Fundraising: $1,086,353 or 13.8%

Administration: $525,609 or 6.7%

OUR TEAM

Our team is comprised of 73 intelligent, generous, hard-working people who are committed to changing the face of homelessness together.

This wide-ranging group of experts draws upon learnings from a variety of industries and backgrounds in an effort to end homelessness in our community.