SEARCHLIGHT
UGMDALLAS.ORG | 214.637.6117 /UGMDALLAS
AUGUST 2022
@FACESOFUGMDALLAS
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO PRESSED BUT NOT CRUSHED At UGM Dallas, we find ourselves in familiar territory where we are walking by faith in uncertain times. Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, nonprofits nationwide are now facing lower than normal charitable giving and record inflation. While businesses are able to recuperate costs by raising their prices, nonprofits are depending on donors as they faithfully continue to provide needed services.
UP AND RUNNING Our 14-week training program for the Fiesta de Mayo Half-Marathon ended with the race day on May 21st. The UGM Dallas team, made up of 11 men and 3 ladies stayed the course and finished strong. This is a great accomplishment for our runners and shows that you can do anything with hard work and dedication. We give a special thanks to our volunteers from United MegaCare, Inc., Covenant Church, and Mrs. Sarah Lee of Coppell Bible Church who supported us throughout our 14-week training and cheered us on race day.
So, What Do You Do in Times Like This? UGM Dallas has a legacy of leaders who have faced hardships head on remembering 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” At UGM Dallas, we are committed to providing the services the homeless in our community need. We are finding ways to save while asking our faithful donors to continue giving. We know money is tight for everyone right now. We ask you to tell your friends and family about us. Great things are happening at UGM Dallas, and we hope you will continue to be a part of all the Lord is doing . BRUCE BUTLER, CEO Chief Executive Officer
Todd came to UGM Dallas after becoming homeless. He participated in the challenge to train with Up and Running Again. “It has been a challenge, but it has been a great experience. We get out there and do a devotion and pray before we run.” This isn’t the end of our running endeavors. We are excited to announce that from this inaugural season, the Mission will now continue running training sessions through a new fitness class. It is our goal to continue to encourage a healthy lifestyle of exercise and better food choices. If you are interested in joining for this fitness class or hosting your own, please contact our volunteer coordinator, Tonya Johnson, tjohnson@ugmdallas.org.
P L E A S E M A K E A G I F T O R M E M O R I A L TO D AY ! Please mail the form below or visit ugmdallas.org
GIFT
Help feed, clothe, and shelter the hungry and homeless at UGM Dallas. Enclosed is my gift of: $25 $50 $80 $120 $175 $250 Other $_____ I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS A MONTHLY DONATION I would like to make my gift as a memorial or in honor of someone. IN MEMORY of ____________________________________________ IN HONOR of ____________________________________________ Name of family to be notified of your memorial gift. Name______________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________ City/State/ZIP ________________________________________________
2207SLD3
METHOD OF PAYMENT (Please Print) • Credit Card Payment Visa Mastercard Discover AMEX Name _____________________________________________ Address____________________________________________ City________________________ State____ZIP____________ Card #: ____________________________________________ Expiration Date____________3-digit SEC Code:_____________ Signature ___________________________________________ • Check Please make your check payable to the Union Gospel Mission and return it with this form in the enclosed self-addressed envelope. We will send you a receipt for your tax-deductible gift. Mail to: Union Gospel Mission 3211 Irving Blvd., Dallas, TX 75247 (214) 637- 6117
CURRENT NEEDS If you are looking for ways to give, we have posted a list of our needs on our website. Please visit ugmdallas.org/donate-goods We appreciate any and all donations.
H E A R O U R STO RY Our guests at UGM Dallas have a story to tell, and we want you to hear it. Hear stories of salvation, redemption, and restoration.
MEET TIFFANY She came to UGM Dallas straight from the hospital after attempting to take her life. She had given up on God. She woke up to no family, no place to go and her belongings on the curb after being evicted. Tiffany found her way to UGM Dallas where she was welcomed and nurtured by the staff and residents who were ready to help her get back on her feet. During her time at UGM Dallas, Tiffany realized God had not given up on her. She began to grow once again in her walk with Jesus. Homeless to Hopeful Today, Tiffany is employed full-time and has received 2 promotions. “I now have my own department at the store - something I never would
have dreamt was possible. I would encourage anyone who is struggling to seek help at UGM Dallas,” stated Tiffany. “This is a great place to give your time as a volunteer or to give money to support them.” MEET KELSEY “I came to the mission to start a new life and get on the road God has paved for me, to become the man God created me to be,” stated Kelsey. He joined the Discipleship program and completed his training opportunities. Kelsey’s hard work paid off as he was recently named Kitchen Manager. He was also blessed with a truck and is awaiting an opening in our independent living facilities.Your gift helps men like Kelsey turn their lives around.
MEET DIANNA After only two months at the shelter, Dianna is working to complete training through Dallas College that will equip her for jobs in the construction industry. She is now looking forward to the future through the job skills training she has received at UGM Dallas that will allow her to live independently. UGM Dallas not only partners with individuals but also businesses that provide support, job training and job placement.
When you donate to UGM Dallas, you’re participating in success stories like these. UGMDALLAS.ORG
F O O D D O N AT I O N S A N D O T H E R I N - K I N D D O N AT I O N S Thank you to our wonderful donors who give in-kind items which help offset our expenses. We are continuing to provide the homeless we serve items needed to combat the scorching summer heat. Help us by donating items such as handheld fans, sunscreen, reusable insulated water bottles and sunglasses or visit givebutter.com/heat to give monetarily.
UPCOMING EVENTS UNION GOSPEL M I S S I O N I M PAC T I N T H E G R E AT E R DALLAS AREA
SAVE THE DATE
October 2021 to May 2022
80,540
322,160 Meals Served
Nights Stay
53,792 Bible Study Attendance
2,510
Spiritual Decisions
92
63,999
1,531
2,801
Current Disciples Chapel Attendance
Counseling Hours Addiction Recovery Counseling Sessions
77
Individuals Gainfully Employed
We have a full calendar in September with the most important event being North Texas Giving Day on September 22, 2022. This one-day online giving event is a great way to show your support for the work we are doing to transform lives and end homelessness one person at a time. Be watching for more details on our social media pages.
5TH ANNUAL WILLIAM M. THOMPSON MEMORIAL GOLF CLASSIC Tour 18 Dallas - September 8th
FREEDOM RUN September 10th UGM Dallas will once again participate in the Freedom Run 2022. The run helps raise funds for the Dallas Assist the Officer Foundation. UGM Dallas staff and residents are training for the 5K event.
This event, in memory of ‘Brother Bill Thompson,’ is a great opportunity to support UGM Dallas, network with new and old friends and enjoy an incredible game of golf. Sponsorships are available or register at ugmdallas. org/event/golf-tournament.
S A V E T H E D A T E - September 15th UGM Dallas will once again host the glamourous Project Vintage Runway event on September 15, 2022. More details will be coming. Save the date and plan to purchase your tickets soon.
IN HONOR OF
LEGACY GIVING
Smarter Giving Makes an Impact When we think creatively about our giving – big things can happen. The good news is our impact doesn’t have to be limited to our wallets or even our time on earth. Have you ever considered gifts of appreciated stock? Here are two ways they can help you give bigger: Don’t cash out. Many people think cash is the best way to give, but donating appreciated stocks to an organization like UGM Dallas instead of liquidating them eliminates capital gains for you and the charity when they’re ready to sell. Bunch it.You can maximize tax benefits by “bunching” charitable gifts. Since the standard deduction has increased, you may find your total itemized deductions fall below the standard amount.You can bunch two consecutive years of charitable contributions into one year – itemize on the first one and take a standard on the second. Exercise creative giving that lasts. For the full version of this article, request a FREE copy of “Your Creativity Can Change the World” by contacting Tonya Johnson at (972) 674-1314 or tjohnson@ugmdallas.org.Visit ugmlegacygifts.org to bless your family with an up-to-date will.
C O M M U N I T Y PA RT N E R S Here at UGM Dallas, our goal is to offer transformational life resources to those we serve. We are in need of community partners to assist with mental health and substance abuse recovery, job readiness and computer classes for guests. If you have any recommendations or special expertise, please contact us at ugmpartners@ugmdallas.org.
D I S C I P L E G R A D U AT I O N In May, we celebrated six Disciple graduates – 4 from Calvert Place and 2 from Center of Hope Women and Children’s Shelter.
FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, & LINKEDIN UGMDALLAS.ORG
DONORS
IN HONOR OF
Shannon Kivlehan Susan Macdonald Michael and Anna Panchuk Merrie Spaeth Boby & Penelope Westmoreland Kevin Moran Juanda Sadler-Waites Juanda Sadler-Waites Linda Howard
Thomas Kivlehan Dave Macdonald Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior Megan Lezar Andrew Armstrong John Moran Horrace Waites Kimberly King McKinley & Annie Stewart
IN MEMORIAM DONORS Edward Shoemaker Robert Middleton Star McKinzie Robert Middleton Annette and Charles Rutherford Michelle Minehane Catherine Morris Pam Morrow Adrienne Eoppolo Lucy and Larry Frankel Jean Backstrom Backstrom Robert Middleton Scott Briggs Rebecca Gibson Pattie McDaniel Matthew Kelley Rocki Arnold Donna & Manuel Macias Alexis Johnson-Jones Jennifer Kryzak Merle Gorman Rose Arceneaux Richard Carey Guadalupe Medina Fred Brewster Shirley Long Deborah Cline Sue White Lorraine Tobin Juanda Sadler-Waites Jane Rader James & Kim Nance Frank Stangel Frank Stangel Nelda Giddens Elizabeth Rivera Dianne Smith Mitra Ebrahimi Colleen Nordhoff Billy Harris Sr Thomas Rea Fine Robert & Janice Wehr Joy Lindsey Michael Denton Cecile Evans Teresa Farley David & Linda Crane Jennifer Wisdom Linda Howard Mrs. Terry Bawcom Annie Roberson Annie Roberson Michaelene Larson Carol Kemp
IN MEMORY OF Robert Shoemaker Robert W Middleton III Darrius Caristandum Levender McKinzie Robert W Middleton III Leonard “Rick” Dirks, Jr Ruth Evelyn Paris Brian Crews Pam Morrow Bertha Ann Eoppolo Leonard “Rick” Frederick Dirks, Jr. Leonard “Rick” Frederick Dirks, Jr. Robert W Middleton III Leonard “Rick” Dirks, Jr John Conatser Lydia & Edgar Hoffmeister Charles and Irene Kelley Dennis Michael Donegan The mother of Donna & Manuel Macias David J. Johnson Susan Parthen Greg Gorman Seaman Willie K. Harrel Dena Carey David Zires Rev. Charles E. Brewster Carl Long Reverend Howard E. Muskopf Jeff Lucas Mitch Tobin Luella & Simmie Carter Brad White Evelyn Redd John & Catherine Stangel Sam & Ann Correnti Mark Giddens Mr. & Mrs. WA Hollweg James G. Smith Nayereh Soltani John Nordhoff Ruth Harris Paul Shaw Haley Elizabeth Jablanski Nick Renna Harold & Pauline Denton Kebin & Carmel Goosby Gerald Farley James Carlton Kinchen Jim Wisdom Harry Stewart Terry Bawcom Flora Jean Curry Clarine Turner Anderson Divie Roberts James Kemp