Building for the future, while honoring the past...
Skip unearthed a copy of the June 1998 Newsletter the other day and shared these quotes from the Newsletter: “Our greatest investments are in families and children.” “When you give to the Mission, you help bless the next generation of children and our future society.” Those words were true then and continue to this very day. What has changed (expanded) over time is the way that the Mission impacts the lives of children. Back in 1998 the Mission indirectly improved the lives of children through efforts to stabilize the lives of their parents by offering programs that addressed addiction recovery, transitional housing, and support for educational advancement. We still offer those services, but over time, the number of duel and single parent families that the Mission interacts with has gone down as a result of the changing provider networks, with more emphasis on services to families. Today, while there are some notable exceptions, downtown the Mission mostly works with single adult individuals without children living with them.
God has graciously opened doors for the Mission to expand its reach, providing vital support to children and indirectly helping their parents. This journey began in 2005 with the launch of our Children’s Ministry, where fresh produce and other food items were distributed directly to children in low-income residential areas. Over time, the Ministry grew, but the COVID pandemic temporarily halted direct interactions with the children. In the wake of the pandemic, God has blessed the Mission with new opportunities to serve children in a more impactful way. Providing food and clothing remains essential, but the Mission now engages directly with up to fifty children during dinner service at one housing complex and two afterschool clubhouses. This shift is more than just logistical—it is a God-given opportunity to make a profound difference in young lives. By spending consistent time with the children, the Mission works to mitigate Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) by providing stable, caring interactions with Christian adults. As highlighted in the August 2024 Newsletter, this approach aims to redirect the children’s potential life paths toward Jesus and away from homelessness and the challenges faced at the Mission’s Day Center. Supporting children also brings indirect benefits to their parents, offering them relief knowing their children are in a safe, nurturing environment. As the Mission pours into the children’s lives, it uplifts entire families, breaking cycles of hardship and sowing seeds of hope for a brighter future.
Skip Shelley
As we go forward in this new year, we will be attacking homelessness on two fronts –1. continuing and improving the ministry to homeless adults who desperately need supportive ser vices for addiction and mental illness as well as offer the chance at a different life when they are ready to embrace Jesus and recovery.
2. Work proactively with children in low-income housing to let them know they are loved by us and by Jesus, and they can choose life paths leading them away from poverty, addiction and homelessness. Our prayers are that you will take this exciting jour ney with the Mission, because without your love, prayers and financial support many will not be blessed in the future.
THANK YOU, for responding to God’s leading and provid ing the foundational support that this ministry is built on!
Quinlan
ALookBack... Over The Years...
By the numbers: A year of impact and hope!
The Mission provides a comprehensive array of services designed to address addiction recovery, homelessness, and poverty for men, women, and children. Programs include long-term recovery initiatives like the Women’s Genesis Recovery Program and the Men’s Recovery Program, offering housing, counseling, spiritual guidance, and educational and job training support. Transitional housing ensures stability and mentorship post-graduation, enhancing chances for long-term success. Emergency shelters and day center offer immediate respite, with over 18,735 nights of shelter provided. The Mission also addresses essential needs through its Dental and Vision clinics, serving 1,484 and 238 patients respectively, and food service programs delivering over 76,479 meals annually. Community outreach, such as children’s ministries and benevolence services, impacts thousands by providing meals, clothing, and support to low-income families. Through these programs, the Mission seeks to empower individuals, foster self-sufficiency, and share the Gospel’s message of hope and transformation. Total client services reached 148,204 instances, reflecting the Mission’s broad impact.
2024 Ministries/ Clients Served
Volunteering at the Olympia Union Gospel Mission has been an unparalleled blessing for me. It brings me immense contentment and satisfaction to serve God’s purpose through this Mission. The experience rewards me by surrounding me with compassionate individuals who genuinely care for those who are lost and broken, showing them that they are loved.
Having experienced homelessness and addiction myself, I understand the profound loneliness and overwhelming challenges these individuals face. It is incredibly fulfilling to bring a smile to someone’s face when they are feeling depressed.
Volunteering my time at the Mission is not only meaningful but also enjoyable. I have a lot of fun with the other volunteers and staff, which enriches the overall experience. I plan to continue volunteering because it has brought so much joy and fulfillment to my life.
- Michael Jordan, Volunteer
DONATE
- Serving breakfast, lunch & dinner meals.
- Sorting donations in the clothing bank.
- Picking up & dropping off donations.
- Holiday meal help.
- Kitchen meal prep/clean up.
- Office help/answering phones
If you are interested in one of our volunteer opportunites, or would like to get a group together from your church to come to the Mission to volunteer, scan the QR code or call us at 360.709.9725 for more information or to schedule a tour.
Life Transformation Program Graduation
Westwood Baptist Church
333 Kaiser Rd NW Olympia, WA 98502
Saturday, April 19, 10AM
5 Steps for Living Lighter
Want to directly support our children’s ministries? Visit OUGM.org, or scan the QR code to donate now!
Did you know American homes contain an average of 300,000 items?
No wonder the market size of the home-organizing industry is approximately $12 billion! But it’s not just physical stuff that fills our lives—our email inboxes receive about 121 messages per day and our calendars reveal our tendency toward overcommitment. When our stuff and schedules are out of balance, it steals our joy, clutters our soul, and makes it challenging to love and serve our neighbor. Now’s the perfect time to shed what weighs us down and start living lighter so we have more opportunities to give.
These five steps will get you started:
1. Fully surrender. Psalm 119 states the path of purity and simplicity is paved with “living according to ( God’s ) word,” and hiding it in your heart. You’re faced with all sorts of choices throughout the day. Quieting your life enough to hear God’s voice is crucial to making wise decisions.
2. Steamline your schedule. Remember every time you say “yes” to something you’re saying “no” to something else. This practice clarifies what (and who) deserves the gift of your time, and ultimately what doesn’t.
3. Spend Wisely. Money is tightly connected to our sense of security and can weigh on our souls. But if you acknowledge all you have comes from God, this truth alters the way you view your finances and how you give out of what He has given you.
4. Strengthen your relationships. There are three particularly strong themes in the wisdom of Proverbs: trust God, care for other, and live as a person of peace. If you fashion your life around these concepts, it can simplify the way you talk and act, rooting your actions and words in love.
5. Invest in something lasting. Thinking long term can unclutter how you live today. Many people use resources like IRA’s, real estate holdings, stocks, or life insurance to bless ministries that align with their personal values, like the Olympia Union Gospel Mission. A gift in your will is another way to leave a lasting legacy. This eternal perspective helps you to live intentionally now so your can transform lives for generations.