A cap and gown graduation ceremony is not something usually associated with a downtown Mission, most of the time people think of a “soup kitchen” and “skid row” and the “down and out,” but that’s not the whole story.

The Union Gospel Mission has been serving the needy, addicted and hopeless in Portland since 1927, when 40 area churches came together with this vision: “Feeding the hungry, restoring the addict, and loving our neighbor.” Nearly 80 years later, Union Gospel Mission remains true
to this vision.

Drive by the corner of Northwest Third and Burnside and you will see a lot of construction activity this spring, summer and into the fall. That new building is an expansion of Union Gospel Mission called the LifeChange Center. The new LifeChange Center represents the largest expansion in the Mission’s history.

While the brand new five-story facility will be wonderful, what is most important about the building is the people who will change their lives there, the people who will receive meals there, or an article of clothing, fellowship, and spiritual nourishment or simply a kind word. Every weekday, Union Gospel Mission provides meals for the homeless and needy, as well as clothing.

The LifeChange Center is named in honor of the LifeChange addiction recovery community of Union Gospel Mission. LifeChange is sometimes called a “program,” but that word doesn’t really capture what LifeChange is all about. LifeChange is long-term, usually three to four years for successful completion. LifeChange is Christian based recovery that helps an addict heal physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. In LifeChange, residents live and work at Union Gospel Mission and work at the Union Gospel Mission Thrift Store in Tigard and work through a responsibility based recovery that will lead to a successful, productive life.

It is hard to turn on the news or pick up the newspaper without hearing about the devastating effects of the meth epidemic in our community. Most of the residents of LifeChange are former meth users. Many of the residents of LifeChange have been using drugs and alcohol for a decade, two decades or more. They need the intensive recovery offered by LifeChange to break the bonds of powerfully addictive drugs and a destructive lifestyle.

2006 is an incredible year at Union Gospel Mission. Not only because the expansion, which will more than double the number of men and women in LifeChange from 30 to 80, but also because of a joyful day in February when the largest class in the history of LifeChange graduated. Each graduate overcame the bonds of addiction, painful pasts, and destructive behaviors to become restored, productive healthy people. The ripple effect of their graduation will be restored families and a healthier community for everyone.

How You Can Help: mail your donation to: Union Gospel Mission 222 NW Couch St. - Portland, OR 97209 or donate securely online at www.ugmportland.org Donate to or shop at: Union Gospel Mission’s Thrift store 11611 SW Pacific Hwy in Tigard (across from the Tigard Cinema) or call for a free pick-up 503-639-6488. Volunteer: Call for volunteer opportunities: 503-274-4483.