Monday, June 29, 2009

New Video-LifeChange Stories: Jeff Palen

The second installment of our series "LifeChange Stories" an in-depth look at a resident in the LifeChange addiction recovery community.

Meet Jeff Palen:



To make a donation to support LifeChange or to learn more: http://www.ugmportland.org/

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Thrift Store Thursday! Unique home decor

On the upper floor of the thrift store there is a place we refer to as "Bric and Brac" (or Bric n' Brac) that is full of unique and quirky little items.

For your Thrift Store Thursday enjoyment, here are some samples:




A "shell" vase standing about 12 inches tall, adorned completely with real seashells!





Here is a corncob doll, complete with miniture kitchen utensils, in a glass diorama about 6 inches tall. A little three dimensional knick-knack!





Black and white "statue-ettes"




A floral and humingbird themed clock. You can't tell from the picture, but little hummingbird swings on the pendulum of the clock.


If you want completely unique items for your home (how many of your friends have a corncob doll diorama?!) visit the thrift store. This is a small sample of all the cool stuff you will find. The store is at 11611 SW Pacific Hwy in Tigard across from the Tigard Cinemas, or call the store at 503-639-6488.


Thursday, June 18, 2009

Thrift Store Thursday: Flyfishing!!

Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store has a unique handcrafted items unavailable anywhere else- custom made flyfishing rods and flies! The making and selling of flyrods was initiated by LifeChange resident Will Anderson. Will, like many residents of LifeChange, is passionate about fishing.

In addition to flyrods, Will and other LifeChange residents create flies and teach each other in a weekly fly tying class.



Here's Will at the thrift store in the "fishing corner" a display of custom flyrods and flies.






A sample of some of the items for sale.



Will poses with one of his custom made flyrods, in UO colors - green and gold.
Father's Day is this Sunday! A custom flyrod is an excellent gift! Visit the thrift store at 11611 SW Pacific Hwy. in Tigard, or call the thrift store at 503-639-6488.



Monday, June 15, 2009

Day 1 of the main floor renovation- video

Day 1 of the complete remodel of Union Gospel Mission's main floor began today with a sledgehammer "bang!"

Take a look- new video:


Thursday, June 11, 2009

Thrift Store Thursday: Recreation and leisure!

Like many people, you may be tightening up the budget and planning a "staycation" instead of a vacation. The Union Gospel Mission thrift store can make your recreation and leisure time fun and budget friendly! Check out all the fun items:

Air Hockey and Foosball!


Golf!





Board games and puzzles!





A huge selection of books for summer reading!



These great items and many more are available to make it a fun and budget friendly summer! Visit the thrift store at 11611 SW Pacific Hwy. in Tigard across from the Tigard Cinemas, or call 503-639-6488 for more information.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

New Video: Sack lunches for people in need

Every weekday morning at 6:00 am people line up at the door of the Mission for a sack lunch or as its nicknamed a "swanny bag." For some people, it is the only food they might have for the entire day.



If you would like to support the work of Union Gospel Mission make a donation at:
https://www.ugmportland.org/secure/donate.cfm

Monday, June 8, 2009

Carl Parsons awarded Ford Family Foundation scholarship!

Carl Parsons, who graduated from the LifeChange addiction recovery community in March of '09 received news today that he is a recipient of a Ford Family Foundation scholarship. The Ford Re-Start scholarship will cover up 90% of financial need for college.

Carl one of 46 scholars chosen from 641 applicants for this prestigious award.

Carl has made a remarkable journey from the day in March 2005 when he was facing homelessness and standing in the Union Gospel Mission sack lunch line. He was also battling a long and serious addiction to alcohol and painkillers. That day he found out about the LifeChange recovery community and joined that day. He moved into the Mission and became part of LifeChange and worked hard to overcome addiction, heal his past hurts and develop a strong and sustaining Christian faith.

Thank you donors, volunteers, and friends that are such a part of supporting LifeChange! Your help makes real "life change" possible for Carl and other graduates and residents!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Thirft Store Thursday: Vinyl Records!

If you haven't visited the Union Gospel Mission thrift store- you're really missing out. In addition to the usual things, as you see here, clothes, furniture, etc:




The thrift store also has something you probably haven't seen or used in a while- records! old school vinyl records-



Pretty cool stuff! You can see a Harry Belafonte record, and a soundtrack to John Wayne movies. And...

What party could be complete unless you had polka music?....But wait there's more!


A small collection of 8 track tapes for sale (for those of you under age 25, "8 tracks" were the way people listened to music in the 1970s, before itunes) As you can see there is Barbra Streisand, and a lesser-known groovy '70s artist, Peter Sarstedt.

As you can see the thrift store has a lot of great and unique items. And, it's full of exceptional people- its entirely run by residents of the LifeChange recovery community. Also, all proceeds from the store support the cost of LifeChange recovery.

The thrift store is located at 11611 SW Pacific Hwy in Tigard, across from the Tigard Cinemas- They are open Tues-Saturday 10:00 am -5:30 pm. If you'd like to donate items please call 503-639-6488 for free pick-up.


Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Big News: Union Gospel Mission to rebuild ground level of Old Mission

It's an exciting time! Union Gospel Mission has selected Todd Hess Building Co., as the contractor for a complete re-build of the Union Gospel Mission's main floor including a complete remodel of the kitchen. The "old Mission" refers to the building that Union Gospel Mission has occupied since 1937 at 15 NW Third Ave. The old building is connected to the LifeChange Center, and is located at 3 NW Third Ave.

The project entirely redesigns the ground floor of the old Mission by constructing a new enlarged commercial kitchen, upgrading the dining room, adding 1st floor food storage and refrigeration, upgrading the ADA restroom that is made available to the homeless, remodeling the contact booth and clothing room, and replacing a fire exit. This final phase completes the combined LifeChange Center new construction and old Mission remodel at 3rd and Burnside. The project is set to begin in mid-June.

As you can see, its a huge undertaking! We are half way to our goal for the cost of this project, plus we will maintain the same level of meal service during the remodel, which will nearly double the cost of providing meals.

Please consider a donation to this project: https://www.ugmportland.org/secure/donate.cfm