DEC 6, 2011 PROGRAM:
Union Gospel Mission - Changing Lives in Saint Paul for 110 Years
From its humble beginning in a store front on University Avenue, to the seven locations that are presently used, the Union Gospel Mission continues to grow in its ministry to the homeless, the poor and the addicted.
We take a holistic approach by addressing the physical, spiritual, emotional and educational needs of our guests. We attempt to give everyone a warm welcome, a spark of hope, rest, and dignity. I repeat often that each individual is created in the image and likeness of God; therefore we treat everyone as special.
On average, we have 450 men, women and children who stay with us each night. We offer 140 emergency beds for men, 120 transitional rooms for men, 70 beds for the Christ Recovery program for alcoholics and drug addicts, and 34 residential apartments for long term programming for homeless women and children. All residential clients go through our LifeNet adult education classes where they can get their GED and learn social skills to make them more marketable in job search. The next step is the WorkNet Program, a career readiness program. We also have a 2-year SuccessNet follow-up program, and we are developing a vocational training program for food services.
Service to at-risk children and youth include our Four Star Parent Aware Child Development Center, Asian/Latino Ministry Center on the east side of St. Paul, the Ober Center in Frogtown, the Gospel Hill Camp in Shoreview, and the Minneapolis outreach to children and families. On an average we serve 175 -200 youth and children per week.
The mission has operated a free dental clinic since 1968. We are now the largest free dental clinic in Minnesota on target to serve approximately 4,000 patients this year. We just received “Certified Excellent” award from the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions. We are also certified by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, the Minnesota Charities Review Council and the mission is a member of the Minnesota Council of Non Profits. The best thing about the mission is that it has heart; we love people and provide every tool to help people change their lives. We have had a Gospel service for homeless men 365 days per year for 109 years.
Ken Peterson was appointed as the Executive Director of the Union Gospel Mission in September, 2006. He wholeheartedly embraces the organization’s mission, which states, the “Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is a Christian ministry dedicated to serving the homeless, poor, and the addicted in our community.