Program areas at Olympia Union Gospel Mission
Street ministry i. christian bible study addictions of various kinds destroy and/or inhibit men and women from their god given potential. The addictions lead to crime and other antisocial behavior. The Mission's christian 2 to 3 times weekly bible study provides an opportunity for men and women to meet and study god's word as it applies to overcoming addiction and other life issues that are holding them hostage. The goal is assisting the men and women to realize their potential and overcome their past. 1.provide christ centered bible study. 2.build relationships with those in the program to help them in their recovery. 3.break cycles of homelessness and/or dependency on other social services. 4.help individuals to connect with a local christian body of believers. Number in attendance = 2,038 ii. Christian counseling or mentoring to provide biblical based counseling to individuals facing difficult issues/decisions in their lives. Sessions = 574 iii. Lrc food service programs breakfast there are many in our community who are homeless and poor who obtain work through temporary job services but get no breakfast to begin their day. This program is designed to provide day laborers and other early risers with a good meal so they can be healthier and more productive. 1.provide a nutritious breakfast to day laborers obtaining work through temporary day jobs. 2.provide and opportunity to share the Gospel though a devotional setting. 3.provide an opportunity for Mission staff and volunteers to build relationships, which with god's help will lead to bringing them into the kingdom. 4.provide an opportunity for volunteer teams to work in the Mission. Lrc lunch program the lunch program provides a nutritious hot meal to individuals who come to the Mission at noon for a meal and respite form life on the street. 1.provide a nutritious hot lunch to poor and homeless individuals as well as clients of Mission programs. 2.provide and opportunity to share the Gospel though a devotional setting. 3.provide an opportunity for Mission staff and volunteers to build relationships, which with god's help will lead to bringing them into the kingdom. Lrc dinner program the evening dinner program provides a hot nutritious meal. The dinner is accompanied by a message. 1. Provide a nutritious hot meal to poor and homeless individuals as well as clients of Mission programs. 2.provide and opportunity to share the Gospel though a devotional setting. 3.provide an opportunity for Mission staff and volunteers to build relationships, which with god's help will lead to bringing them into the kingdom. Total food service meals = 71,570 iv. Life recovery center (lrc) day center the lrc is designed to provide for a safe and wholesome environment for the homeless and the poor to come during the day. 1.minster to men, women, and children 2.provide spiritual counseling and support for those seeking help. 3.provide various workshops and study sessions through out the day. 4.provide hot showers (4,861) and (10,397) loads of laundry. 5.provide for emergency clothing needs. 6.provide donated personal care products to those in need. 7.provide life skills training. 8.create an environment that fosters the development of healthy relationships between clients, volunteers, and staff. 9.provide an opportunity for volunteer teams to work in the Mission. Number of visits = 40,643 v. overnight shelter for men, women and families the Mission opens the day center for overnight shelter at 8:00 pm and allows clients to sleep until 4:30 am the following day. The shelter is staffed by one Mission employee and two volunteers. Foam mats and sleeping bags are provided for guests that do not come with their own camping gear. Sections are designated for men, women and families with gender associated restrooms. Approximately 55 guests spend the night of which about 30% are female. Nights of shelter = 19,062 vi. Benevolence ministry this ministry seeks to meet emergency needs for money to pay for utilities and rent for those who have received notice of utility shut-off or eviction. Money is also made available to pay for prescription drugs such as antibiotics (no narcotics). 1.personal interview with each requestor as to their need. 2.review their notice or prescription to determine as best as possible where god is in their circumstances. Provide emergency funds as justified on a case-by-case basis. 3.provide bus passes to Mission clients and those needing transportation to and form work or medical appointments, etc. 4.seek opportunities to share the Gospel and pray with the person. Clients served = 512 vii. Residential goal oriented emergency shelter for single women starting in may of 2014 the Mission began offering emergency shelter to single women who expressed a sincere desire to move away from the streets. Shelter is offered in one-month increments and extended if the client is making a sincere effort to address life issues, seek employment or schooling. A trained counselor is assigned to assist the clients and monitor their progress. Clients served = 11 viii. "vegout" program in 2016 the Mission staff and volunteers undertook a program to deliver donated fresh fruit and vegetables to children living in low-income housing developments during the summer to augment their meals when they were not transported to school cafeterias. The program proved so popular that the Mission started operating it essentially year-round. Partnerships were also been developed to deliver produce to: together, boys and girls club, mercy house, and garfield elementary school. The program was suspended part way through the 20-21 fiscal year due to a lack of donated produce in response to supply chain issues related to the covid pandemic. Produce donations to the Mission have not returned to pre-covid levels. Post-pandemic, the program changed to providing excess food donations to section 8 housing apartment complexes to distribute to needy families, shoes and items of clothing, and providing (pre-stuffed) christmas stockings and easter eggs, etc. To low income children. During the 2022- 2023 fiscal year the Mission started operating an afterschool "club house" at one of the low income housing complexes serving 15 to 20 children a day, five days a week. Number of children receiving food, clothing, holiday items (e.g. Christmas stockings), attending the club house = 3,424 number receiving meals, clothing and holiday items (e.g. Christmas stockings) = 3,224.
Women and family program 1.single women and women with children, drug and alcohol recovery the women's (genesis) recovery program is designed as a two-year drug and alcohol recovery program, to include transitional housing for women and dependant children. During these months, the following goals are in place: 1.provide a stable supporting environment. 2.provide for spiritual growth, connection with a local evangelical church. 3.in cooperation with other agencies, provide drug and / or alcohol recovery treatment. 4.reunite women with their children. 5.provide counseling for the problems, which have led to addiction and homelessness. 6.provide for resolving/paying off debt and/or fines. 7.provide opportunities for additional education, job training. 8.provide opportunities to obtain better employment. Clients served = 8 2.single women and women with children, transitional housing after graduation, the more time women, and their children, can spend associated with the Mission for accountability and mentoring, the greater the likely hood of long-term success in life. The Mission provides rental housing at below market rates or extends the length of stay in recovery housing to accommodate the needs of the women and children. When possible, the Mission offers part time employment in such areas as janitorial, food service, campus patrolling to provide the women with a small amount of spending money and so they can feel good about being able to pay their way. Clients served = 7
Dental program the Mission owns and operates a three-chair dental clinic. Dental care is provided by volunteer dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants. Dental services are provided for no-fee to those individuals who have an acute dental care need; are living at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; have no means to pay for care. In addition, other oral surgery and medical services are provided through referral. 1.alleviating pain, restoring health and confidence by providing no-fee dental care to the poor and homeless. 2.establish relationships with other partners (dentists, governmental agencies, and specialists.) 3.establish relationships with clients and share the Gospel. Patient visits = 1,482 vision clinic this is a service available to individuals with household incomes that place them at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, who have no insurance for vision services or other means to pay for care. At no fee, patients are provided a complete vision examination by a licensed eye physician and, as needed, prescription glasses. On a case-by-case basis, referral to eye surgeons is available for patients with cataracts. Patient visits = 361 the estimated value of volunteer dental and vision services are estimated at 373,694 and 142,617, respectively.
1.men's recovery the program is designed to provide support for men in addiction recovery. During the recovery process the following services are in place: 1.housing for up to 6 formerly homeless men in a multi-bedroom house with a house leader. 2.provide drug and alcohol recovery services using the "genesis" process. 3.provide life skills and discipleship training. 4.provide support for better education, economic recovery, and employment. 5.connect clients with a local christian evangelical church. Clients served = 7 2.men's transitional living after graduation, the more time men can spend associated with the Mission for accountability and mentoring, the greater the likely hood of long-term success in life. The Mission provides rental housing at below market rates or extends the length of stay in recovery housing to accommodate the needs of the men. When possible, the Mission offers part time employment in such areas as janitorial, food service, campus patrolling to provide the men with a small amount of spending money and so they can feel good about being able to pay their way. Clients served = 5