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, […]
Better Days are Ahead for David
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 […]
From Homeless with Cancer to Finding Hope and Healing at the Mission
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 […]
You Helped Laurie Build a Legacy of Hope
“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. […]
SPECIAL REPORT: Searching the Streets to Rescue the Lost
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 […]
Meet Marlie, a UGM volunteer
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 […]
Restoration House builds a bridge back to society
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 […]
Saved from Suicide for Sobriety
Prison might have been the best thing that happened to Don. “One day I was sound asleep and next thing I knew I was on my knees asking Christ into my life,” he relates. “I’ve been a believer since then.” Don kept on his walk of faith for six years after his release. Then he […]
Alumni Update: Dealing Hope on the Streets of Salem
Meet Steven Hill. When he first came to UGM, Steven was stuck in a “gang mentality,” believing that the rest of his years would be an endless round of doing drugs and doing time. While going through the New Life Fellowship Program, Steven was able to challenge his false beliefs. “It turns your world upside […]
The Most Excellent Way Forward
Every single person who walks through our doors has a story. While that story is different from person to person, we often see addictions as one of the barriers to wellness. We desire to help each individual break free from those addictions and walk in the freedom that Jesus has for them. While UGM offers […]