Children & Family Services
Your support allows Union Gospel Mission to nurture relationships with families who are struggling. We offer programs that give children a safe place to do homework and play, and help parents provide necessities such as baby formula, diapers and clothing for their children.
Designed to encourage the development of healthy life skills for at-risk children, Union Gospel Mission offers the following programs free-of-charge, thanks to the generosity of caring donors who are helping create brighter futures for children living in poverty.
EastSiders: A fun and educational afterschool program for elementary school kids on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Treasures participants also have fun with weekly educational fieldtrips to places like the Vancouver Aquarium, Grouse Mountain, and on sunny days, BC’s beautiful beaches.
KidZone: Run with the help of dedicated leaders from Trinity Western University in a bright, welcoming environment, KidZone is a Saturday morning kids club that offers breakfast, games, crafts, songs and stories for kids aged 5-12.
Summer Camp Sponsorships: Each summer over 800 kids are sponsored for an amazing week away at quality BC summer camps. An opportunity to develop new skills, experience success at challenging activities, make new friends and interact with positive role models, a week at summer camp can change the life of a child in need.
- More info about Summer Camp sponsorships is just a click away
- Discovering more about UGM's amazing camp programs is here, too.
Summer Day Camps: Community-based, weeklong programs that feature fun daytrips, delicious snacks and a safe place for kids to play, learn and have a blast over school holidays.
Boys’ Night: You know what boys need in the Downtown Eastside? Positive male role models. We want to make sure boys from grades 5-7 can hang out with guys who are living mature, Godly lives. Our staff regularly put together a night of activity-driven fun that gives boys the chance to engage with positive male role models.
Teen Girls: It’s not easy for young girls in our community – adolescence is a tough time anywhere in the world, but there’s new and unique challenges for girls growing up on Vancouver’s Eastside. Our small group for teen girls caters specifically to the needs and interests of adolescent females (with plenty of time for chatting), led by Godly Christian role models.
Back to School Party: A new school year gives kids the chance to start fresh. At this yearly celebration, each child may receive grade-appropriate school supplies, a new outfit and new shoes.
Christmas Hampers and Stockings: Many families cannot afford much of what we take for granted during the holidays — toys, treats, a pantry full of food and warm winter clothing. Each year, generous donors help UGM create over 300 hampers filled with the delights and necessities that make the season magical for families in need. UGM also works with inner-city schools to provide each student with a bursting Christmas stocking at a special school-sponsored holiday event.
