Union Gospel Mission

Union Gospel Mission is a charitable organization providing meals, education, shelter, safe and affordable housing, drug and alcohol recovery programs, and support services to those struggling with homelessness and addiction in Canada, with locations in the Metro Vancouver area and the city of Mission.

History
In 1940, 21-year-old Gordon (Bob) Stacey returned from working with the Jerry McAuley Cremorne Rescue Mission in New York City. At this time, the city of Vancouver had attracted many Canadians suffering from the Great Depression. Stacey established the Union Gospel Mission in 1940 at 10 Powell Street, in the heart of Vancouver’s historic Gastown.

In April 2011, UGM officially opened a new headquarters at 601 East Hastings in Vancouver, marking the largest expansion in its history. The new facility is 70,000 square feet and equipped to provide 92 shelter beds, 37 affordable housing units, extended meal capacity and a live-in drug and alcohol recovery program for men.

Programs
UGM focuses its support to help people facing poverty, homelessness, or addiction with a comprehensive Continuum of Care for men, women, and children:
 * Street Level Outreach Programs
 * Meals, Shelter & Clothing
 * Alcohol & Drug Recovery
 * Career Development Services
 * Social & Affordable Housing
 * Children & Family Services

UGM programs helped contribute the following over the past year:
 * 33,585 nights of safe emergency shelter provided
 * 294,170 meals served
 * 8,324 visits to our clothing room
 * 1,904 food hampers distributed
 * 75 housings found
 * 24 alcohol & drug recovery graduates (15 men, 9 women)
 * 2,651 hygiene kits distributed
 * 39 employments found
 * 29 women & babies housed in UGM's The Sanctuary (3 women with babies)
 * 3,653 volunteer experiences

UGM also has drop-in and intentional outreach services at their Cornerstone 7 days a week (when open), located at their main building on 601 East Hastings Street in Vancouver.