Guest Programs
Transforming lives for over 124 years.
The Union Gospel Mission provides safe lodging, showers, meals, clothing, and more for individuals who find themselves without shelter.
Some of our guests might be transient and passing through the area, while others battle challenges like physical disability, mental health crisis, addiction, are justice impacted, or are even fleeing domestic violence or trafficking.
No matter who walks through our door, we aim to treat every guest with the kindness, dignity, and respect they deserve, offering them loving support and connecting them with needed resources.
UGM Facilities
We have two centers operational to provide emergency shelter with a third one preparing to open in the near future. If you need a place to sleep tonight, please call 605-334-6732 with your questions or to confirm bed availability.
Men's Center
Co-Directors: Todd & Justin
Room for 86 men
Women's Center
Director: Shannon
Room for 40 women plus children
Family Center
Director: Elizabeth
9 Family Rooms, Max Capacity 80 people
This center is in development and is not yet open to the public.
Our Program
No matter which center a guest stays in, each facility is equipped to help fulfill their immediate needs. When they walk in our doors, we give them a warm greeting and demonstrate we care by providing:
Discipleship
After a guest has spent a few days adjusting and getting settled into staying with us, they sit down for an intake appointment with a compassionate staff member. There they will choose from different pathway options to determine how much case management and spiritual support they want/need. We hear their story, discuss their options, and answer their questions. Then they select what is the best fit for them.
The Discipleship Program has become a popular and effective choice! When someone picks this pathway, they get to slow life down a bit and take a pause – spending several months attending every class/group we offer while they focus on personal growth, healing, and their walk with Jesus before tackling the big life moves. Many express their appreciation for the opportunity to reset and recuperate from the circumstances that brought them to us. During this time, their Case Manager will start addressing barriers and adding them to waitlists; however, they will not pursue housing, and part-time night/weekend work is optional until they graduate the program.
UGM utilizes a holistic, relationally driven approach to make sure we are comprehensively supporting the whole person. Our core curricula utilize materials such as Purple Book, Living Free, and more to help people develop self-awareness around life’s struggles, embrace truth and grace, and grasp the mental and emotional stability needed to make the best decisions going forward.
Other topics we cover include navigating conflict, anger management, life skills, financial literacy, self-care, time management, employment skills, health, and more. Even though we tailor our delivery of the material to cater to the differences in learning styles for men and women, everything points to three main goals – knowing and understanding the Bible, maturing as a disciple of Jesus, and knowing how to hear the voice of God.
Additionally, we hold chapel services nightly and do outings to immerse people in all the benefits of building strong community connections. It is our hope that by the time they move out, they will have established many wrap-around supports, affording them a smooth transition where they can sustain and build on the progress achieved while staying with us.
