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A HEARTWARMING THANKSGIVING

at the Olympia Union Gospel Mission

Last Thanksgiving, the Olympia Union Gospel Mission was a beacon of hope for many in the community, including Sarah, a resilient mother of two who had faced more than her fair share of challenges. Struggling financially and emotionally, Sarah found herself unable to provide the Thanksgiving meal she had always envisioned for her young children, both under the age of five. Despite her recent triumph over addiction and the hard work she had put into securing housing and working two jobs, the financial strain was overwhelming.

Determined to make the holiday special for her children, Sarah decided to spend Thanksgiving at the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. With her children in tow, she arrived at the Mission, unsure of what to expect but hopeful for a brighter day. As soon as they walked through the doors, they were greeted by the caring and friendly staff, whose warmth and kindness immediately made Sarah feel like she was part of a family.

The dining area was filled with the inviting aroma of a traditional Thanksgiving feast. Sarah and her children were treated to a meal that went beyond her expectations. The delicious, hearty dishes filled their plates, and the room buzzed with the joyful chatter of families and individuals sharing in the holiday spirit. Sarah said, “the best part was hearing my children’s laughter as they enjoyed their food and seeing their faces light up with happiness.”

Sarah entered the Mission feeling like she had failed as a parent, burdened by the weight of her struggles. However, the compassionate atmosphere and the genuine care shown by the Mission’s staff and volunteers transformed her perspective. She left the Mission that day not only with a full stomach but with a heart overflowing with gratitude and a renewed sense of hope. Sarah said, “my experience with staff reassured me that I was not alone in my journey and that there was a supportive community ready to help me along the way.”

The Olympia Union Gospel Mission’s Thanksgiving celebration provided more than just a meal for Sarah and her children; it gave them a sense of belonging and the strength to keep moving forward.

Your continued donations are going to make our 2024

“a supportive community ready to help”

Mental Health – Shelter - Children’s Ministries

How are they related?

In previous issues of this Newsletter, we have described to you the Mission’s evolving work to try and provide some comfort to those day center clients tormented by mental health issues through the “Friend Builder Program.” Most recently, we have also described to you how God is opening doors for the Mission to build relationships with children to try and provide positive role models on a consistent basis. The goal is to set them on a life course away from addiction and homelessness, and the need for the Mission’s Day Center. In this issue, we will present the Night Shelter as a case study of what can happen when these services are not available in the early stages of life.

Each night, 18 to 25 women and 45 to 55 men lay down on personal cots or one-and-a-quarter-inch thick foam pads on the floor of the Mission. At capacity, they are so close together that it is hard to imagine them not touching when they roll over. Yet there is seldom a display of anger. The fact that the Mission has the only “open” shelter in downtown Olympia and that there is nowhere to go if they are asked to leave is a significant motive for not acting out.

Despite the crowded conditions, many have stayed in the shelter for years. These are the chronically homeless who have become acclimated to the “homeless lifestyle” despite its hardships. An assessment by a staff member is that virtually all the residents were abused as children and had a very tough home life. Seventy-five percent could benefit from mental health therapy but remain resistant to opening up about their lives to others.

BUT, many are not dishonest or lazy, they are just badly broken and have lost hope. A few get up early or come back late from manual labor jobs. Others help clean up the Day Center or volunteer to serve a meal. We try to support them as they allow, in the hope that they will want to seek a better life. We have some success, but pray constantly that more will take us up on the offer of support. (As I write, Jenna, one of the Friend Builders, is meeting with a woman who has been living on the streets for over a decade, encouraging her to go into treatment. We are so hopeful this will break the cycle). After living the homeless lifestyle for sometimes decades, it is very hard for them to envision a different life, let alone do the incredibly difficult work of addiction recovery and mental health therapy. That is why we try to “catch them early” in the homeless cycle.

We are so enthusiastic about God opening the door to creating the Friend Builder Program and taking the initial steps to start working with children living in low-income housing complexes. Our hope is that we can impact the lives of homeless individuals to not give up and become chronically homeless, model a different life for children to change their life trajectory, and above all, plant seeds of a new life in Jesus!

We covet your prayers for those the Mission serves, especially those in the Shelter. They so badly need Jesus in their lives. Without your financial support, these souls would not have a place to get out of the weather and rest at night. You are making more of a difference in broken lives than you may sometimes realize. THANK YOU!!!

Loren “Skip” Steffen Mindy Roberts

A Taxing Situation...

Brendon had always taken pride in his ability to provide for himself and contribute to his community. As a cab driver, he spent many nights navigating the city, often dropping passengers off at the Mission. He had an idea of why individuals ended up there but didn’t realize the vast array of reasons that could lead someone to seek its services. His own understanding changed drastically when a sudden stroke left him unable to work. Without a job, he eventually found himself without a home.

Over the summer, Brendon’s journey led him to the Olympia Union Gospel Mission (OUGM), seeking shelter and hope. His arrival is a testament to the increasing need for shelter beds during the warmer months. With many people facing unexpected hardships, the demand for safe, temporary housing continues to rise.

OUGM has observed an unprecedented increase in the number of individuals seeking shelter this summer. Traditionally, the Mission experiences a surge in shelter occupancy during the winter months when harsher weather conditions drive more people to seek refuge. However, this year marks a significant deviation from that pattern.

Thanks to your continued support, we aren able to purchase new mats for our shelter, ensuring that individuals like Brendon have a comfortable place to sleep as they work to rebuild their lives. Your contribution makes a tangible difference, providing not just a bed, but a foundation for a brighter future for those in need.

Want to Volunteer?

With the holiday season fast approaching, we can use all the help we can get here at the Mission! Will you help volunteer? By sharing your time and gifts, you’ll help us make this a memorable year for those we serve!

Give us a call at 360.709.9725 to find out how!

Or visit https://OUGM.org/volunteer/ to learn more and fill out an application!

Help Us Get Ready...

We have so much to do to prepare for the winter season and you can help! Next time you’re shopping, we would appreciate if you’d add any of these critically needed items to your cart, and drop them off at 413 Franklin St. NE.

Don’t have time to shop? Send a gift in the provided envelope to help us purchase what is needed at the Mission.

Donate a blanket to someone in need!

Please drop off at 413 Franklin St. NE. Thank you!

Practice Pratical Gratitude ...

A “thank you” a day keeps the doctor away? Science tells us it’s possible. According to a number of studies conducted in recent years, the practice of gratitude has a positive effect on our mental and physical well-being, including better sleep, mood, and immunity, as well as decreased depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and blood pressure.

That’s good news as we head into a season focused on giving thanks. But challenging things accompany this season too. Here’s how you can give thanks and pursue peace in the next few months.

Remember God’s goodness. Take time to recall shared stories and memories, ways God has shown His faithfulness, and answers to prayer. This puts the spotlight on Him and not our worries. The apostle Paul tells us to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Get active with your gratitude. Put hands and feet to your thankfulness by serving together during the holiday season. Set an extra place (or more!) at your Thanksgiving table and invite college students who can’t make it home for the holiday. Bless neighbors with a meal. Volunteer together. Shared purpose, shifts our perspective from our differences to the people and causes that truly matter.

Think forward. Leaving a gift in your will or estate plan to causes close to your heart is a lasting expression of gratitude to God. The holidays provide a wonderful opportunity to talk about this with your family, reflect together on His blessings, and move forward in peace and unity.

In her book, One Thousand Gifts, author Ann Voskamp writes, “Thanksgiving is the one thing God asks to be done in everything and always…He knows what precedes the miracle.” Practicing gratitude together diminishes the divisions between us. The effort is worth it.

GIVE LOCAL 2024

MAXIMZE your holiday giving!!!

Make your donation this holiday count even more through the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound Give Local Campaign held November 11-22. Help the Mission raise $60,000 this year!

This is an online giving campaign for South Puget Sound nonprofits, which includes the Olympia Union Gospel Mission!

NO CREDIT CARD FEES, so 100% of your holiday giving goes directly to the Mission.

Participate November 11-22 and the Mission receives a $boost$ from the BONUS FUND!

VISIT OUGM.org and click the GIVE LOCAL button.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 6:30 PM | Westwood Baptist Church 6:30pm ~ Social & Dessert | 7pm ~ PROGRAM - A year in review

Come and see how your support has impacted the lives in this community.

512 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98501

Come and see how your support has impacted the lives in this community.

512 Washington St SE, Olympia, WA 98501