A message from the President When it comes to life on the street, Stephen, an alumnus of UGM s Alcohol & Drug Recovery Program, knows the pain and suffering that thousands of Vancouverites experience everyday in the Downtown Eastside. He spent 30 years addicted to crystal methamphetamine. Some of those years he spent living in isolation under a bridge. Stephen grew up in a dysfunctional and violent household. He got married young and started a family, but Stephen s childhood memories eventually caught up with him. When he lost his family due to his addiction, Stephen spiraled out of control, finding himself on the street facing brutality and loneliness. Then a miracle happened. Stephen decided that enough was enough, but he didn t know where to go or who to turn to. He sought out local resources and was referred to Union Gospel Mission s Alcohol & Drug Recovery Program. In Stephen s own words: Going through recovery was one of the hardest things I ve ever done. It was very emotional dealing with the pain of my past, but I fought hard to recover and the results exceeded my expectations. The hard heart I once had is healed and now I am a kinder, softer person. I m happy to say my children are back in my life. Today, I work on UGM s Maintenance Team, which allows me to stay connected to my sup port system and offer encouragement to others who are going through recovery. I am able to shine God s light and use my gifts to make a difference in others lives. This is just one of countless miracle stories I have the honour and privilege of sharing. The heart of our mission is to share God s transforming love, whether it s through Alcohol & Drug Recovery, Emergency Shelter, Outreach, Affordable Housing, Children & Family Services, Education & Employment support, or just a warm, nutritious meal. The caring, compassionate and dignified support that I witness daily is the reason I m choosing to spend the last years of my working life with UGM pursuing our vision to transform communities by overcoming poverty, homelessness and addiction. I want to leave a legacy that makes a difference, and also sends a final inspirational message to my children, to underline the importance of caring for people in need as we are called to by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. That s why I ve now created a will that, in addition to looking after my family, also remembers Union Gospel Mission. I hope you ll consider leaving a legacy of dignity and hope with your own bequest to UGM in your will. Together, we can continue to bring God s hope and love to people who want to reach past their suffering to make lasting change in their lives. Thank you so much for being a loyal and devoted friend to UGM. We could not have transformed so many lives without your support! Sincerely, William B. Mollard President, Union Gospel Mission
You ve already helped save my life, and with your legacy gift, you can save another. Stephen Please leave a gift to Union Gospel Mission in your will
I know how it feels to be accepted. To find a place that understands we all stumble at times. Linda, volunteer, speaker, & graduate of UGM s Women s Recovery Program Transform Lives. Demonstrating the love of Christ, UGM offers help and hope through a comprehensive range of life-changing services, which include Meals, Outreach, Emergency Shelter, Alcohol & Drug Recovery, Employment & Education, Affordable Housing, Children & Family Programs, and more. Together we can create brighter futures for men, women, and children in our communities. Through faith, family and friendship we can feed hope and change lives in our community. Leave a legacy of dignity and hope with a gift in your will to Union Gospel Mission. Meals Three times a day, 365 days a year, people in need know they can always come to Union Gospel Mission for a nourishing meal. At every UGM meal, guests are given a warm welcome. Many of our guests live on the street, so when greeted with a kind smile and handshake by caring outreach workers, and offered a homecooked meal, it s the first step in restoring dignity. Outreach Outreach is about developing intentional relationships by going out into the community and meeting people where they are. We initiate caring conversation with those in need, build trusting relationships, and meet guests practical needs (food, emergency shelter, and clothing) and spiritual needs (daily worship services). Alcohol & Drug Recovery UGM s Alcohol & Drug Recovery Programs are effective, live-in recovery programs that offer men and women freedom from addictive lifestyles and the tools to live a healthy life long after they complete the program. UGM counsellors have developed and fine-tuned successful A&D Programs that give individuals their best opportunity to succeed. I know how it feels to just be looking for shelter, and find a whole new life. Jemal, husband, father, Reverend, UGM Outreach Worker & graduate of UGM s Alcohol & Drug Recovery Program
I know how it feels to be transformed through summer camp. To escape a high-stress family environment and be able to finally relax and be myself. Jake, completing Plumbing Apprenticeship program, former Summer Camper, now a Summer Camp Counsellor Women s Programs UGM s Women and Families Centre offers women a safe place to rest, and receive care and support from trained outreach workers and counsellors. A range of programs such as accountability groups, art therapy, and intimate partner violence support provide the guidance and tools needed to help women and their families move forward in their lives. Children & Family Programs UGM nurtures relationships with families who are struggling, offers programs that give children a safe place to do homework and play, and helps mothers and fathers provide necessities such as baby formula, diapers and clothing for their children. UGM also offers afterschool programs for children on the Downtown Eastside throughout the school year, provides camp sponsorships to over 550 children in need throughout the summer, and supplies hundreds of families with a bountiful food hamper at Christmas time. I know how it feels to come in from the rain just for a meal, and discover God s divine plan for me. Jennifer, mother, designer, church member, volunteer & graduate of UGM s Women s Recovery Program I know how it feels to be in recovery. To be clean and sober today. And to learn to forgive. Alex, Nisga a First Nation member, advocate, speaker & graduate of UGM s Alcohol & Drug Recovery Program
What your legacy can do Whether your estate is large or small, you can have a profound impact on the future of Union Gospel Mission and the lives that it will transform. $5,000 provides 415 nights of shelter for men seeking refuge from the street. $20,000 offers sobriety to one man and one woman by sponsoring their residency in UGM s live-in Alcohol and Drug Recovery Program. $50,000 provides supplies, support and care to homeless men and women in our communities by funding a year s worth of gas, first aid kits, clothing and food for the Mobile Mission, a vehicle that travels throughout the Lower Mainland. $150,000 offers year-long programming for at-risk children and youth that includes a once-a-week evening activity, individual mentorship program, and junior leadership training opportunities that help youth stay off the street. $500,000 helps hundreds of women and families make healthy life choices each year by keeping the lights on and doors open at our Women and Families Centre, where individuals have access to one-on-one counselling, group therapy with trained UGM counsellors, daily meals, worship services, food hampers, and many other supportive services. $1,000,000 touches the lives of thousands of people each year who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, or addiction. When guests visit UGM s busy drop-in centre in Vancouver s Downtown Eastside, caring Outreach Workers offer God s love with a listening ear, emotional and practical support during crisis situations, referrals to services and assistance in daily living. In just one year, we will make over 65,000 connections with guests at our Downtown centre alone! After you have remembered your loved ones, please consider including Union Gospel Mission in your will
How to leave a legacy to UGM Leaving a bequest to Union Gospel Mission is the simplest way to leave a legacy of dignity and hope. Writing or changing your will is not the overwhelming task that you may think. Everyone should have a will and update it on a regular basis. To ensure that you have a valid will, we strongly recommend that you use the services of a legal professional. To include a bequest to Union Gospel Mission you will need to give the legal professional drafting your will our legal name and address. It is essential that you use our correct name and address. Union Gospel Mission, 601 E Hastings StreetVancouver, BC, V6A 1J7 Charitable # 13190 2348 RR0001 Sample Bequest Clauses: A share of the residue (designates a percentage of the remainder of your Estate, once debts and specific bequests have been paid) I give to Union Gospel Mission 601 E Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1J7 percent of the residue of my Estate for its charitable purposes. A specific bequest (designates a specific amount of cash or other asset/s) I give to Union Gospel Mission 601 E Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1J7 the sum of $ (or a description of the property or asset) for its charitable purposes. Other Ways to Leave a Legacy Gift Gifts of Life Insurance, Beneficial interest in RRSPs and RRIFs, and Securities, can all help support UGM. We d be happy to talk with you if you want more information about these options. We d love to hear from you if you make a legacy commitment Christiane Sim Development Officer, Legacy Giving t: 604.215.5441 x. 328 m: 604.880.6485 f: 604.253.3496 e: legacy@ugm.ca w: ugm.ca
Our Commitment to you Our eight promises to those who leave a legacy gift to Union Gospel Mission 1 We recognize that a legacy gift is your decision and you need to make it in your own time. 2 We respect your privacy. 3 We will use the gift carefully and cost effectively so that it has the greatest impact. 4 It is your decision to let us know that you ve left a gift in your will, or another kind of legacy gift. We d love to hear from you and thank you but you don t need to tell us. 5 If you decide to notify us of your gift, you can choose how we communicate with you in the future about our work to transform lives in our community. 6 We will give you the opportunity to be connected to the work we do. 7 At any time in the future, you have the absolute right to change your mind about a gift in your will to Union Gospel Mission. 8 We will honour whatever gift you leave, and treat it with sensitivity and respect.