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July 07, 2008

Being a new staff person at Union Gospel Mission, I've had the opportunity to be taken around our various sites to see some of the work we do.  I've been amazed at the broad impact we have in the Lower Mainland.  It has been explained to me how we help the people lining up around our Vancouver and Women’s Drop-in Centres, and I've had a chance to have lunch with some of the guys enrolled in our Alcohol & Drug recovery program.  But I’ve also been so impressed by all the work we do in New Westminster and Mission.  There I met so many people showing a real love for people coming into our drop-in centres.
I've met staff and volunteers who talk with such a deep concern for those who come off the street to seek a good meal. I’m told that often the same people come through our doors every day for months and even years.

There is so much hurt and brokenness in people’s lives - poverty issues make it so much worse to cope with their situation.  But watching people come into a drop-in center and show a smile on their face as they meet other homeless people or UGM staff who welcome them, is a reassurance of the hope that is still there in their lives and the desire to feel valued.

It has been a great first few weeks here at the Mission.  As part of the development team, I’ve already been able to speak with about 100 of our supporters.  Making calls to people to thank for a recent donation or just to chat about the Mission and thank them for past support is the best part of my job.  Many of the folks I’ve spoken to have also made a gift in their will for UGM and that indicates to me the trust people have that we are going to continue to make a difference in people’s lives for many years to come...I’m excited to be part of this work!