Impacting LivesImpacting LivesImpacting Lives

MissionNewsOctober 2009

Men’s Shelter | Women’s and Children’s Shelters | Recovery Programs | Youth Outreach | Thrift Stores | Motors

“The homeless.” Any time people are placed in a category, the temptation is to assume a measure of uniformity among the members. In actuality, however, the homeless – even within the limited Spokane area – are a very diverse group. When you give to the ministries of the Union Gospel Mission, you are impacting lives as varied as the ones you will read about on the following pages.

You might say Ralpiel is homeless by choice. The twenty-year-old, affectionately called “Scooby,” decided that no home was better than home. “I always wanted to leave South Carolina. Always. A lot of bad things happened to me that shouldn’t have happened to me, and I’ve been trying to get away from a lot of people that were bringing me down.” One of those bad things was being assaulted at gun point when he was 16, but beyond any particular incident, Ralpiel lacked a sense of belonging, a sense of personal value, a sense of direction. His large dark eyes and deep dimples convey a shyness that prevents him from telling all in an interview, but his poetry reveals a little more: I stare at the mirror, look at my reflection, trying to figure out what I see…What are these words and emotions trying to prove to me? The oldest of four kids, Ralpiel had to grow up quickly. “My momma was working three jobs, and I had to take care of the other three kids and be like their daddy. My sister and I would wash the clothes and the dishes, make sure our younger brother and sister was fed, sign their papers, make sure their school clothes was ready, that they ate and went to

MINISTRY NEEDSOctober 2009

We also urgently need:sugar, deli meats, salt,

pepper, sliced and unsliced cheese, condiments, powdered drink mix,

dressings and mayonnaise.

Donations can be dropped off atthe Mission, 1224 E Trent, Spokane

Daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

October 8 • Volunteer Orientation, 10 a.m. at Union Gospel MissionOctober 13 • Volunteer Orientation, 6 p.m. at Union Gospel MissionOctober 17 • Volunteer Orientation, 6 p.m. at Anna Ogden HallOctober 23-24 • Genesis Process Personal Healing & Change SeminarNovember 2 • Thanksgiving Dinner Volunteer Sign-Up BeginsNovember 11 • Veteran’s Day Special Luncheon & ProgramNovember 14 • Life Languages Seminar, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

1224 E Trent Ave. Spokane, WA 99202 | PO Box 4066 Spokane, WA 99220 | 509-535-8510 | www.ugmspokane.org

Thank You!

UpcomingEvents

employment opportunity>Program CounselorOur men’s recovery program is searching for a Washington State licensed counselor. Requires a Master’s Degree in counseling and a minimum of three years experience. Call Teri Munson at 509-535-8510.

Help fill the

Turkey Bin!

Introducing UGM’s brand new look !GiVEn TO UniOn GOSPEL MiSSiOn MiniSTRiES AUGUST 12 TO SEPTEMBER 9, 2009

In Memory of: TheGiftof:Jerry Anders: Robert JacksonGrant Aubertin: Evelyn Finley,Richard Francis BarrettRobbin Best: Marian PhalonTom Blossom: Robert & Lois StraderGary Borden: Iva BordenLeanne Cannon: Peter CannonClarence Chafin: Dolly ChafinArletta Christiansen: EM BottsLeone Christiansen: Margaret GrothBetty & Clint Corliss: Anne MorrisTony Culp: Terry & Carole CulpRoy G. Dalton: Gene & Bonnie Heimbigner, Lois Johnson, Karen VanKlaveren, Viola Goodman, The Grad ClubRuth Darnell: Lee DarnellMarge Davies: Jerry & Kathy WalkerLarry Dickerson: Judy LoweGeri Eastburg: Annie BickfordKeith Ehlenfeldt: William C. EhlenfeldtNorma English: Sharon JohnsonKarri Erickson: Colleen PryorWilliam Fairfax: Kathleen & Matthew FairfaxBill Graedel: Dolores GraedelR.J. “Speedy” Gunsaulis: Clarence & Barbara BennettBlaine L Harbaugh: Kristin MegyAlvin Holman: Cheryl Holman

Cory Hubbard: Gayle GreenBuzz Irvin: Commodity Brokerage, Inc., Evelyn IrvinHarold Johnson: Ethel JohnsonAlbert & Anne Kiefer: Patricia SeverudDr. Harvey Gene Kragt: Floyd & Judi Overstreet, Donald & Glenda Grimm, Helen & Donald Cowan, Dick & Greta Stueckle, Bernice Hilty, Lucille Wilson, Paul & Debbie Gylling, Mayrene & Stephen Feider, Vivalene Nafziger, Myrna & Del Teade, Eugene Brannan, Dale Culbertson, Shirley Richardson, Ed Schuluneger, Jim & Gloria Repp, Gloria Walker, Allan & Bernice Strohschein, Loraine Scaggs, Mary Scheideman, Warren & Bonnie Smith, Diane & James Leffel, Karen Lafrenz, Jack & Mardel Simpson, Daisy Turner, Melvin & Ruth Gust, Mark & Robyn Johnson, Harvey & Leona Herman, Clifford & Phyllis Van Berkum, Molly Maxwell, Daley & Linda Clinton, Harold Saurer, Sylvia McKnight, Milo& Neva Jean DeJong, Jack & Carole Ensley, Gerald & Janice Mitchell, Larry & Dorothy Harris, Marguerite McInery, Richard & Pauline Gebhardt, Arthur & Katharine Lothrop, Donald & Esther Deen, Earl& Ruth Enos, Marshall & Lucile Miller, Terry &

Joanne Eng, Florence & Norman Teitrick, Wayne & Kennan Varnes, Mr & Mrs Laverne Sharp, Michael & Darlene Kroll, John & Virginia Huber, Merle & Patsy Allenbach, Mary Stroup, Gerald & Dorothy Schoesler, Mr & Mrs. Norman Willson, Dennis Morgan, Irma Stueckle, Joyce & Con Wolff,Delroy & Violet Preston, Bill & Tressa Hochstatter, CR & Karen Meye, Laura Simpson, Della Hauser, Rob & Tammy Lewis,Curt & Fern Nafziger, Erma Jean Krueger, Kathy ScholzHarry Larsen: Marian LarsenJohn Leding: Annette LedingJosh Liljenberg: Ellen CollyerJohn T. McCauley: Juanita McCauleyBob McHoes: Laura McHoesJoy Meier: Shirley MarshBarbara Mertel: Barbara MontgomeryVirginia Miller: Loretta Nelson, Marcia Tiffany, Diane Brown, Craig NelsonDaniel Mitchell: Shirley MitchellSteven Morris: Anne MorrisOrrie Morse: Elaine MorseMary Newbern: Carmen, Leila, Margaret Ann & Aaron StewartRuth Pease-Botchek: Marie ChapmanJohn Porter: Connie KuehnerJim & Ida Jane Potesky: John

& Joann SimmonsEllen Proctor: Ernest & Janice PreedyRobert Repp: Kathy & Jim LemonBoyd Ressel: Robert & Connie DormanWinnie Richards: Robert RichardsEd Robbins: Ethel JohnsonJohn Rosand: Michele MoranShirley Runyan: EM BottsHerb Sauvageau: Fran GortonClarence Sheldon: June SheldonErnie Stueckle: Janice SmithDonald Taylor: Eleanor Windler, Annie BickfordBud Vansickle: Robert PryorWilliam Vogel: Nancy & Bob LochmillerRobert Walsh: Geraldine Walsh, Arnold & Marlene SchollKeith Yates: Robert & Pamela Watke, Hubert & Dorothy Washburn, Jim & Bonne Acuff, Stan & Helen Shaw, Beverly Johnson

In Honor of: TheGiftof:Ranee & Tom Davis: Doug & Darlene LambertJim Demakas: John & Paula DemakasMrs. H. K. Mewhinney: Kristina Hopson

Classy Rack Name Change:The Union Gospel Mission has decided to change the name of its Classy Rack Thrift Stores to Union Gospel Mission Thrift Stores in order to unify all of the outreaches of the organization.

Ralpiel: “TheMissionishelpingmetofindwhoIam.”

continuedonpage3...

MEMORIALS | page 6UGM UPDATES | page 5

volunteer needed > TB NurseCall Greg Barclay at 509-535-8510 for more information.

How to help during the Holidays...Adopt a Family • Stuff a Stocking • Giving Trees • Volunteer to Serve

November 16 •Anna Ogden Hall Sign-ups Start (Adopt a Family and Giving Tree Sign-ups Start)November 25 •Thanksgiving Dinner (Volunteer Sign-ups Start nov. 2) December 1•Men’s Shelter Sign-ups Start (Christmas Sponsorship and Christmas Meals Sign-ups Start)For more information call: 509-535-8510

OPEN HOUSEDedication of the new location:

7219 E Sprague Ave. Spokane

October 23, 200910 a.m.–3 p.m.

Coming Soon, a brand newUnion Gospel Mission website!

CALL 509-535-8510

Schedule a barrel to be delivered to your location.

CANDO WHAT YOU

Misty: “Ican’tgethousingwithmycredit.”

Rob: “Iwasheadednowhere.”

HEART TO HEART | page 2

clear that we are working to impact the lives of at-risk children through our summer camping ministry. For that reason, every branch of the Union Gospel Mission will now carry our name, emphasizing our shared core purpose: Reaching the poor of our community with love and the power of the Gospel so they may become God-dependent, contributing members of society. And that brings us to what hasn’t changed: our purpose or passion. While our look needed an update, the Union Gospel Mission remains the refuge for the poor upon which the Spokane community has come to depend. A brief refresher on our name: Union was the term for “para-church” in the early 1900’s, meaning to come alongside the church. The Union Gospel Mission is an extension of the Body of Christ. We work outside of and across denominational lines to serve the poor of our community. The Gospel is as central to our purpose as when we first began in 1951; for this reason, the “G” is emphasized in our logo. Jesus Christ is the one who transforms lives. Mission, of course, is another word for shelter. We now have three shelters, and providing the basic needs of food and housing is where it all begins. So, whether you serve meals at the Men’s Shelter, donate your used car, watch children at the Women’s Recovery Program, or write a check to cover the cost of housing women and children at our Crisis Shelter, you are impacting the lives of the poor and homeless in Spokane, and that reminds me of one more thing that hasn’t changed: We couldn’t do it without you. Thank you.

Serving together,

Phil AltmeyerExecutive Director

What do a youth camp, a thrift store and a beautiful old building in the West Central neighborhood of Spokane have in common? Hopefully, you answered, “They’re all part of Union Gospel Mission Ministries.” But you wouldn’t necessarily know that from their names: Tshimakain Creek Camp, Classy Rack and Anna Ogden Hall. The newsletter in your hand sports a new look and a new logo for the Union Gospel Mission. I’m excited about that. Our graphic designer did a fantastic job. But I’m even more excited about what this new design represents . . . and what it doesn’t. First, it represents a shift toward greater continuity within our ministry. We want people who drop off clothes and household goods at one of our thrift stores to know they’re impacting lives through their gifts. We want the community to know that we have a long-term recovery program for women at Anna Ogden Hall, and we want our partners to be

Misty and her two daughters, Mozell, 10, and Zynidah, 4, have been homeless for more than a year. After a brief stay at the Crisis Shelter for Women and Children in 2008, they went to live with Misty’s sister, but the situation was never meant to be permanent. “I’ve made some mistakes – not paying my rent, being evicted. It’s really hard getting into housing with my credit. I need help. And it’s hard to find a job and hold down a job not knowing where you’re gonna lay your head at night, plus trying to keep my children safe.” Misty and her children are currently living at the Crisis Shelter and looking for permanent housing. The staff has “opened my eyes to different organizations that will help me to better myself and better my credit and make my kids safe.” Misty also expressed gratitude for Director Rich Schaus’ straight talk:

Six months into the recovery program, Rob, 33, was arrested last April at the Mission on an outstanding warrant from Idaho. When his case came to trial in July, Mission counselor, Jessica Kell, was there to explain what the Mission’s recovery program had to offer. Rob’s public defender and the judge responded positively. Rob was released on probation with approval to return to the Mission to complete the intensive recovery program. Rob described his behavior before coming to the Mission: “I was drinking from six o’clock in the morning until I passed out. Every day. I was getting into fights. I was in and out of jail, avoiding all – my kids, everything. I was headed nowhere.”

Sixty children living at Anna Ogden Hall and the Crisis Shelter for Women and Children received just what they needed to start back to school on the right foot in September thanks to the generosity of KMBI listeners. Rather than take a generalized approach to needed school supplies, KMBI partnered with the Union Gospel Mission to create personalized needs lists for each of the 60 children. Listeners called in, “adopted” a specific child, and purchased his/her specific needs: crayons, hand sanitizer and Kleenex for a kindergarten child, for example, or a scientific calculator, composition books, and jeans for a middle school student. Thanks to a caring community, every single child received exactly what he or she needed. What a great start to a new school year.

One Name One Purposebed on time. By the time my momma got off work, they were in bed.” Ralpiel’s stepfather lived at the house but was unavailable, usually high or drunk. “I would keep everything inside, not let anybody know what was going on, especially my momma. She was tired and aggravated and frustrated, so I just kept it to myself. I would go in my room and close the door and just look at a wall.” I have to close my eyes because I can see my soul crying with a fiery heart. I stare at the back of my eyelids for hours because people won’t even look into my eyes. Ralpiel left home with two other friends and headed to Florida. They thought they would find jobs but didn’t, and the cost of living quickly shrank their meager savings. At a loss for what to do next, they headed for Seattle, stopping in Spokane at the Union Gospel Mission. At first, Ralpiel didn’t want to stay because he didn’t like the Mission’s boot camp requirement. (Guests between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to participate in physical exercise activities Monday through Friday.) The plan was to get a job, save

Anna, 12, has never stayed at one of the Mission’s shelters, but her life has been impacted nonetheless. Her dad, Steve Viers, went through the program and now works as the kitchen supervisor. She knows the Mission “helps people get their lives back together like it did for my dad. He doesn’t steal or lie or go to jail any more. He lived in my uncle’s garage before he came here.” Steve has his own place now, and Anna and her brother, Brandon, 10, get to be with him every weekend. Recently, Anna decided that she wanted to be baptized because of the difference God made in her dad’s life. She wanted that same influence in her own life. On August 10, 2009, 22 men and women, along with Anna, proclaimed their faith in Jesus Christ by being baptized in the Spokane River at Harry Altmeyer Park.

Anna: “Igotmydadback.”

“IneededsomeonetotellmewhatI didn’t want to hear. I’m verygrateful.Ireallyam.”

“I would love to sit here and blame everybody else for my bad credit and my mistakes, but he makes me accountable. At first, it made me angry, but then I realized . . . I didn’t need someone to tell me what I wanted to hear. I needed someone to tell me what I didn’t want to hear. I’m very grateful. I really am.” Misty’s voice was firm with conviction: “I’ve got to go out and make the choice to be better.”

Facts:• In order to afford an average two-bedroom rent of $674, a household must earn an hourly wage of $12.96 or $26,960 annually. According to the 2006 American Community Survey, more than 27% of the households in Spokane County do not.• The Union Gospel Mission Crisis Shelter has provided a home for over 1,800 women and children since its opening in 2007.

Rob has just begun the program but is committed to staying the course: “I’m tired of the way I was living. I didn’t have relationships with anybody. Just like this little conversation – it would’ve been impossible back then. I’d be more hiding in the shadows, blitzed out of my brain. I wouldn’t trade this for anything right now. I’m gonna go through the whole thing.”

Facts:• Over61percentofalladultmalesarrested in Spokane County testedpositive for drug use, accordingto the University of Washington’sAlcohol and Drug Abuse Institute,with a quarter testing positive fortwoormoredrugs.

“Iwouldn’ttradethisforanything.”

some money, and head back to Florida. While he was waiting to leave, however, the place grew on him. Almost without realizing it, he became part of the community. He tolerated the biking and workouts that boot camp required but eagerly welcomed news about the start of a culinary training program. “Ever since I was old enough to be in the kitchen with my momma, I’ve

wanted to cook.” Now, Ralpiel works in the Mission kitchen five days a week from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. He is receiving basic instruction on sanitation and food preparation and serves

lunch each day. He plans to go to cooking school after he finishes the Mission’s one-year training course. “The Mission is doing a really good thing in my life right now. I could be on the streets doing any and every thing, but the Mission has me busy in a kitchen, cooking and serving. The Mission is helping me find who I am.” The words and songs to my story are always changing, no matter who reads or sings it. . . Big or small, these verses that I write can capture many eyes and hearts, but will they care?

LefttoRight:SteveViers,DougMunday,AnnaViers,RandyAltmeyer

IMPACTING LIVES | page 3

Thank You for Listening

The

New

Log

o! Ralpiel: coverpagestorycontinued

IMPACTING LIVES | page 4

“Alotofthingshappenedtomethatshouldn’thavehappened.”