Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County

We are only ONE WEEK away from North Texas Giving Day and 8% of the way to our $100,000 fundraising goal! We love this day because it brings the North Texas community together to create long-lasting change in the lives of North Texans. Your impact doesn’t have to wait until September 19, though… early giving is open NOW! If you feel compassion for our unhoused neighbors and the desire to be the difference in their lives, please visit https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/union-gospel-mission-of-tarrant-county. Thank you for being the difference. 💙

"I had everything and lost it all. Money, family and a job slipped away as I continued to drink. I finally gave up all hope and said one last prayer... for the Lord to take me or save me.

He chose to save me by bringing me to UGM-TC. While I was in the Alpha program, I learned how to follow God’s plan. Jesus showed me He was always there for me, but it was time for Him to take control of my life. Now, I rekindled my relationship with my family and am working on a BS in psychology with a minor in religion.

When you support UGM-TC, you never know what seed you are planting in someone. You helped me gain peace, and you cannot put a price tag on that!" - Greg, UGM-TC Program Graduate

Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. - Colossians 3:12b

Although they do not always come naturally, these Christ-like attributes have the power to shine hope, peace, and love into a dark and downtrodden world. Remember that every day, as God's children, we must strive to be a reflection of our Father's goodness. It is an honor to be His ambassadors. ✝

Thank you, CAN Community Health, for stopping by UGM-TC to offer free rapid health screening tests to our residents and guests! Services like these are so important for the health of Tarrant County community members. 💙

North Texas Giving Day is coming up, and we need your help! 🙏

Your support can make a tremendous impact on the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness. For over 136 years, UGM has been a beacon of hope, providing shelter and comprehensive programs that empower people to rebuild their lives.

On September 19, we invite you to make a difference at UGM-TC by helping us meet our $100,000 goal, which will provide the life-giving support, training, and basic necessities to people in need. If you want to give early, early giving is open TODAY! Just visit https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/organization/union-gospel-mission-of-tarrant-county, and see the difference we can make when we all work together!
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The Labor Day holiday gives us the chance to highlight the wonderful team of employees we have at our Mission and the life-changing work they dedicate themselves to every day. We are so blessed by their passion and compassion.
We hope all of our UGM-TC community - our employees, donors, volunteers and partners - have a wonderful holiday! God bless you all! ✝

We had a wonderful time hosting the Fort Worth Chamber for their Coffee Connects event in our Carl R. Brumley Community Room! It's amazing to see our Community Outreach Center become a place where the Tarrant County community gathers and communes together.

"I worked on a fishing boat in Alaska until I broke my fingers and was unable to work. I came back to Fort Worth, but I had no income and was homeless. UGM-TC took me in while I was going through surgeries and recovery.

UGM-TC introduced me to the Alpha program, which helped me recover from my drinking addiction. During this process, I felt God giving me peace and lifting my depression. Today, I am looking to the future and studying cybersecurity.

Thank you for caring. Many people do not want to help or hear your story, but the kindness shown at UGM-TC is overwhelming!" - Bobby, UGM-TC Program Graduate

The latest batch of OSHA certified men and women to come out of our training program is our own warehouse team! They will now be able to use our forklift to streamline our warehouse furniture donations and distribution system. We’re so proud of them! 👏👏👏

"I was homeless for many years, living in my car, or hotels when I could afford it. I was broke and broken until I received a lifeline from UGM-TC. I was offered housing, which gave me the stability and confidence to go back to school.

Today, I have my bachelor’s degree and have worked with people experiencing mental health crises and housing instability. Soon, I’ll also have my master’s, and I’ll be able to pay forward the blessings I received while I was at UGM-TC in an even deeper way.

Thank you for your support. You gave me a hand up and a second chance at a new life." - Dominique, UGM-TC Graduate

"God brought me to UGM-TC, and I am so thankful for His guidance. After being homeless, I was discouraged, with no hope for my life. The Alpha sessions inspired me to get back in touch with God and go back to school.

My case manager connected me with Tarrant County College’s Visions Program. Now, I am finishing up my bachelor’s degree and starting my master’s in cybersecurity, continuing for my doctorate. I am so grateful for this opportunity.

Thank you for supporting UGM-TC; your money was well spent. I am evidence of that. Without your help, I would be lost." - Kevin, UGM-TC Graduate

We had a great time watching The Forge Movie together as a staff! This powerful story of redemption and transformation provided so much inspiration to our UGM-TC team. If you aren't planning on seeing this movie, we absolutely recommend that you do!

Our summer newsletter is hot off the press! This special edition features six program graduates who are all pursuing impressive endeavors. We are amazed at the incredible ways God is using them, and we think you will be, too! Read our newsletter at https://www.ugm-tc.org/documents/ugmtc-summer-newsletter.pdf.

Our staff captured this precious moment yesterday as the children left for their first day of school. On their own, these two young prayer warriors decided to pray for the first week of school for themselves and their friends. It is such a testament to the work that is being done here. God is moving and transforming lives regardless of their age, and these children are building a strong foundation of faith that will guide them through the rest of their lives! Praise God! 🙏✝

It’s back to school time! 📚🍎 Please keep the UGM-TC kids as well as all students across the country in your prayers this week as they start the new school year. 💙

We have a super fun volunteer activity that YOU are invited to be a part of!

On October 30th, help us fill the parking lot for our Trunk or Treat event! Participants can dress up, decorate their trunks, and pass out candy the UGM-TC kids. This event will be from 5-7 PM. If you are interested in getting involved, contact our volunteer manager, Dana Walser, at [email protected] or (817) 338-8402. 🍭🍬

We had a special delivery this week! The Sewing Divas of River Oaks, who take donated sewing materials and make clothes for local kids in need, donated over 13 boxes of hand-sewn clothing for the children in our program. Donations like these, especially just in time for the new school year, are so helpful!

My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak. - 2 Corinthians 12:9

There's wonderful news - when we are at our worst, at our weakest, at the point where we just want to give up, that's when God's power in our lives is at its greatest. He has everything we need, and He will not forsake us in the midst of the struggle. May you feel His strength this week, even in your weakest moments. 💙

Have you ordered your Tiff's Treats cookies? We ordered ours! This is the last weekend you can make your donation and eat it, too! 🍪🤤 Tiff's Treats will donate 20% of every delivery or pickup order made at cookiedelivery.com or on the Tiff's Treats mobile app to UGM-TC! Just add the code UGMTCOOKIE in the coupon box at checkout. Nothing tastes sweeter than knowing you're making a difference.

Craving something filling and fulfilling?

The staff at UGM-TC invites you to attend our upcoming Lunch & Learn on Tuesday, Aug. 6 from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM! If you are interested in joining us for a FREE mouth-watering lunch and the opportunity to learn all about our 136-year-old Mission, reach out to our Chief Development Officer, Jordan Price, at [email protected] or 817-338-8406. Please RSVP by Friday, Aug. 2.

Since leaving their old life behind, Alisha and her children have grown closer to God and closer to each other. Read their story of family, hope, and transformation at www.ugm-tc.org/news/755-renewal-story-alisha/.

We have greatly appreciated a break from the triple digit temperatures in Fort Worth this week, but, as August approaches, more triple digit days are just around the corner. In the heat and intense humidity, a bottle of water can be a lifeline. Each day, our bottled water collection dwindles as thirsty outside guests need to hydrate. If you want to help in Tarrant County, you can drop off water bottles in person or order them from our immediate needs registries at www.ugm-tc.org/donate/immediate-needs-list/ to be shipped directly to our location.

Water bottle drop-off info:

Monday-Friday, 9 AM-4 PM - UGM-TC pantry (1329 E. Lancaster Ave.)
After hours and weekends - UGM-TC Cox building (1321 E. Lancaster Ave.)

Thank you for spreading kindness at the Mission! ✝

The kids in our Therapeutic Children’s Enrichment Program have been having a blast this summer! From field trips to fun places like SeaQuest to a sports camp hosted by the Young Men’s Service League to crafting projects at the Mission, their summer has been jam-packed with fun and educational activities. We want every child to look back on their time at UGM-TC as a time of wonderful memories, and this is just one way we get to make that a reality!

Our CEO, Dr. Charles Wolford, recently joined Pastor Steve Jeffery on the All Saints Presbyterian Church podcast to discuss a wide variety of topics related to the growing crisis our unhoused brothers and sisters face today. Listen to this educational and thought-provoking podcast at https://youtu.be/9PDzwKTtv-Y?si=VvJNr15ocFDBxsiQ.

We have a 🍪SWEET🍪 opportunity starting this Sunday, July 21st, through Sunday, Aug. 4! Tiff's Treats will donate 20% of every delivery or pickup order made at cookiedelivery.com or on the Tiff's Treats mobile app to UGM-TC! Just add the code UGMTCOOKIE in the coupon box at checkout. Nothing tastes sweeter than knowing you're making a difference. 💙

Every week, we are amazed at the way our community members are making an impact here at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County! Thank you to The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Clubs, Dallas TX Chapter for your incredibly generous donation of an entire pallet of water bottles and toiletries! Especially during our summer months, donations like these are such a blessing.

It’s Amazon Prime Day! Our Amazon Immediate Needs list, linked below, has lots of items that will bless our residents and guests. Every item purchased, no matter how small, will make a difference in the life of someone who is actively working towards a better life. We appreciate your generosity and your partnership. God bless you! ✝

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1H86OXXDNST8M?ref_=wl_share

We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Obsidian, a company who was awarded a global contract with Southwest Airlines to build their airport customer cabinets. Through an amazing set of God-appointed circumstances, we were gifted a cabinet banding machine, worth $100,000. Moving forward, Obsidian will train our skill builders in our LAUNCH Economic Mobility Pathways program and outsource their cabinet banding to our facility. This will give our residents marketable skills to reach financial independence post-graduation. Praise God!

If you would like to learn more about this program, visit ugm-tc.org/community-outreach-center/.

We have very exciting news! Thanks to the generosity of a group of friends, every dollar donated through August 2 will be matched, up to $85,000, to help homeless children in North Texas. This is a wonderful opportunity — please help us take advantage of it! You will provide loving care, counseling, and more for boys and girls in our Therapeutic Children's Enrichment Program. If you would like to give toward our Matching Grant, visit https://www.ugm-tc.org/donate/. Thank you for your partnership! 🙏