Our Vision
Union Gospel Mission is committed to serving our community with a broad continuum of effective programs and quality services for anyone in need. Over the organization’s near-70-year history, this has meant that UGM has grown significantly to meet Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission's growing need.
Over the past few years, the demand for UGM’s highly successful alcohol and drug recovery programs has risen, as has the number of men and women attending daily meal services. As well, UGM has seen the need for a more comprehensive range of specialized programs to serve the women and children of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
On July 29, 2009, UGM publicly announced the single largest expansion in its history: the construction of a much-needed new building. Located at 601 East Hastings, (behind the location of the current main mission) the development will greatly increase UGM’s capacity to effectively address the rising need on the Downtown Eastside and better serve the men, women and children in our community who turn to UGM for hope and help each day.
Our Mission Statement Union Gospel Mission offers hope to hungry, hurting and homeless men, women, youth and children in Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission by sharing and practically demonstrating the gospel of Jesus Christ, providing without discrimination:
Basic necessities and practical assistance
Effective recovery programs that offer freedom from addictive lifestyles
Educational and job readiness programs that equip for successful living
Outreach programs that provide encouragement, support, counselling, spiritual guidance and referral services, and
Affordable housing through Union Gospel Housing Societies
Our desire is to be a bridge for people striving to regain the basic necessities of life, restore their God-given dignity and hope, empowering them to rejoin the community as full and active participants. Through our core values, Union Gospel Mission strives to be known in the community as a faith-based, entrepreneurial, trusted, comprehensive, valuable outreach to the hungry, hurting and homeless throughout Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission through its services, ministry and programs. We are committed to nurturing in all our programs and among all our staff and volunteers these core values of Faith in Action:
Faith:
Faith – In all our programs and services, we share God’s message of love for all people, demonstrated through his Son, Jesus Christ, who offers hope and transformation.
Respect – We believe that each person is created in the image of God and must be treated with dignity and respect.
Integrity – We are transparent and trustworthy, accountable to God and each other. We are committed to biblical, ethical and professional accountability in all our dealings.
Stewardship – We consider our donors support a sacred trust and believe we are accountable before God and our supporters for the management of those resources.
Action:
Teamwork – We are committed to each other – working together in care, wisdom, thoughtfulness and skill.
Relationships – We are committed to caring relationships that foster trust and change in people’s lives.
Holistic Approach – We are committed to serving the whole person – spiritually, mentally, emotionally and socially.
Innovation – We are committed to responding to the changing needs of our community and to pursuing excellence, relevance and effectiveness in all our programs and services.
Working with Others – We are committed to working with caring individuals, churches, businesses and community organizations where working together more effectively cares for the hungry, hurting and homeless.