New Video! LifeChange Stories: Mary Brannen

In our latest installment of LifeChange Stories, meet Mary, who faced a terrible tragedy in her teen years that ultimately led to decades of addiction. She came to LifeChange and turned her life around.



Click here to support LifeChange and help people like Mary change their lives.

New Video! Union Gospel Mission featured on Oregonlive.com

Check out this video from Oregonlive.com featuring Union Gospel Mission:

Old Town Chinatown: LifeChange Union Gospel Mission

New Video! LifeChange Stories: Dave Johnson

Our latest installment of "LifeChange Stories," profiles of individuals in the LifeChange recovery community. Dave shares his heartbreaking story of childhood abuse, drug use, prison and his eventual decision to seek help in Union Gospel Mission's LifeChange recovery community.



To make a donation to support LifeChange, Click here

Want to volunteer? Come to the "Encounter"

Do you want to volunteer at Union Gospel Mission? We invite you to come to the Union Gospel Mission volunteer orientation, called the Encounter. At the Volunteer Encounter you will learn about the many different volunteer opportunities available, tour the Mission and see firsthand the activities at Union Gospel Mission.

The next volunteer Encounter takes place on Tuesday, March 16 from 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm. Encounter events will take place on the third Tuesday of the month throughout the year.

Interested? Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Heidi Hege at 503-274-4483 ex 513, or email Heidi at heidih@ugmportland.org

To learn more at the Encounter, check out this video!

New Video! LifeChange Stories: Chris Smith

Chris, age 24, shares how fast drug addiction can take over your life. Thankfully, Chris has completed four years of recovery at Union Gospel Mission's LifeChange recovery community and is preparing to graduate in March 2010.

Here is his story:



If you would like to make a donation to support LifeChange- CLICK HERE

New Video: Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Many volunteers shared Christmas cheer by serving a meal at Union Gospel Mission:

New Video: Union Gospel Mission Kitchen Grand Opening

Union Gospel Mission held a ribbon cutting and opened the Mission's new kitchen and newly renovated dining area. Friends and supporters were on hand to celebrate!

Join Union Gospel Mission for Blazer night!

Here's a great opportunity to enjoy a Portland Trailblazer game and support Union Gospel Mission at the same time!

On Thursday December 17 the Blazers will be hosting a "Faith and Family" Night and Union Gospel Mission will be a featured organization. Please come out and support Union Gospel Mission and the Blazers, by purchasing tickets, by clicking THIS LINK and entering the promotional code "FAITHUGM" by November 27. A portion of ticket sales will support Union Gospel Mission.

We look forward to seeing you there, and seeing the Blazers beat the Phoenix Suns!

Union Gospel Mission's new kitchen, main floor opening soon!

The main floor renovation and the new kitchen are almost here! We are planning a Grand Opening/Open House on Saturday, November 21, 3:00 pm- 8:00 pm at Union Gospel Mission at 15 NW Third Ave. The event will feature hourly tours of the new space, live music, hors d'oeuvres from some of Portland's leading restaurants, and other refreshments. You are invited.

Here are some videos of our kitchen remodel journey:







We hope to see you all at the Grand Opening!

New Video! Operation Overcoat 2009

2009's Operation Overcoat was a huge success thanks to generous donors and awesome volunteers! Over 1,400 meals were served and many thousands of articles of clothing were distributed. Medical Teams International provided free dental care, and volunteer hairsylists cut hair. There was also face painting and cotton candy. As you can see from the video it was a very fun event!



Click here to support the work of Union Gospel Mission!

"Operation Overcoat" - Not too late to donate!

Union Gospel Mission is gearing up for "Operation Overcoat" a huge clothing give away for the homeless and people in need.

Operation Overcoat will take place on Saturday, September 26 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. The event takes place in front of the Mission on NW Third Ave., and also expanded to NW Couch Street. The event includes live music from Justin Klump, Nathan Arnold, Aria Anaforian, Laura McGreevy and the SPO dancers. Union Gospel Mission will be serving a barbeque meal of burgers and hot dogs.

In previous years, Union Gospel Mission has served over 2,000 meals and given away tens of thousands of articles of clothing.

It's not too late to help! Donations of all types of clothing, but especially new underwear and socks, backpacks, and coats are needed. Donations of hygiene items are also needed.

You can drop off items at Furniture Outlet locations. You can make a secure online gift, or give us a call at 503-274-4483 for more information

LifeChange Graduation Day!

This is a very exciting week at Union Gospel Mission. On Sunday, September 13 we will be honoring three graduates of the LifeChange addiction recovery community. Their stories are amazing!

Our graduates, Kelly, John and Jeff share their "LifeChange Stories"







Congratulations Graduates! If you would like to make a donation to support the work of Union Gospel Mission CLICK HERE

New Video! LifeChange Stories: Kelly

The third in a series of "LifeChange Stories" focuses on Kelly, who will be graduating from LifeChange on September 13.

Here is Kelly's amazing story:



If you would like to make a donation to support Union Gospel Mission's LifeChange recovery community, click here.

New Video: Providing meals without a kitchen

It's hard to believe, but its already been one month since Union Gospel Mission started the demolition of its main floor, including the kitchen.

However, the meal services, of about 300 meals per day, plus other services have been on-going. The residents of the LifeChange recovery program have made it happen with hard work and doing more with less.



As you can see, financial gifts or donating prepared foods is crucial right now. If you can help, give us a call 503-274-4483 or donate online

Thrift Store Thursday: Donate Items for a very good cause!

Do you have gently used furnishings and other items you would like to donate? Union Gospel Mission's thrift store will pick them up for free! Just call 503-639-6488.


Renee at our dispatch desk will schedule a pick up at your house. You can clear your garage of furniture, appliances and other items you no longer use.


You can also drop off your donation at our thrift store located in Tigard at 11611 SW Pacific Hwy across from the Tigard Cinemas. When you're there, you can also get your car washed for $3.00!

So to re-cap:

- You will free up space in your garage/house/storage unit
- Some friendly folks will pick up your items free of charge
- If you drop your items off you can have your car washed for $3.00
- Your donation will support people in our LifeChange addiction recovery community
- Your donation will provide work experience for residents of LifeChange

How awesome is that?!

Please give the thrift store a call at 503-639-6488

Thrift Store Thursday! Comfy Couches

It's Thursday, so the spotlight shines on Union Gospel Mission's thrift store. The store is entirely run by residents of our LifeChange recovery residents and proceeds from the store partially fund the cost of recovery in LifeChange.

The store manager, Alvin, celebrates his birthday today!

Today's focus is furniture...lots of comfy couches. Not only are these items for sale, but we encourage you to donate your gently used furnishings. Union Gospel Mission will pick them up for free! Just call 503-639-6488.


Here are a few of the comfortable couches available...

Or a funky purple futon...

And a classy 1940's vanity table...

Don't forget to donate to the thrift store! Call 503-639-6488 to schedule your free pick-up. Or shop with us at the thrift store at 11611 SW Pacific Hwy in Tigard across from the Tigard Cinemas.

Learn more: www.ugmportland.org

New Video! Progress on main floor/kitchen demolition

The main floor is unrecognizable! The demolition is well underway just two weeks into the project!

Take a look:



To learn more and support the work of UGM visit http://www.ugmportland.org/

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/

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.

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: