Ministering
To The Homeless

Ministering to the homeless men, women, and children from the streets of Sacramento is a commitment from the heart. At UGM, we feed, clothe, and shelter people because we truly care about their hunger and discomfort. We do not judge or treat them with indifference, but rather as welcomed guests in our home.

In this, we follow the teaching of Christ, who in Matthew 25:41-45 spoke to his disciples saying, “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; naked, and you clothed me; I was in prison, and you came to me.” They were puzzled by these words until Jesus explained, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to me.”

Every person who knocks at our door has a story. We take the time to listen, comfort, and give advice and counsel. Some of these wanderers have lost their way, and are truly looking for a second chance. We believe this is the house of new beginnings, where the least, the last, and the lost find refuge.

To work in a rescue mission like the Union Gospel Mission is to become a servant to the poor, indigent, and needy. There is no hype or glorification here, only vital jobs that need to be done.

There are 84 beds to strip every day, as well as washing and drying all the bedding. We have thousands of meals to prepare every month. And we must collect, sort, and distribute clothing 365 days a year.

We take great pride that one-third of the Union Gospel staff helping with these unending tasks are men who are graduates of our rehabilitation program. These men have chosen to work at the mission as a way of giving back. No one is better equipped to work with homeless men and women with addictions than those who have walked the same streets they do. These dedicated workers are living examples of what can be accomplished, and proof that recidivism can be conquered.

For them, our other professionals, and our many volunteers, this is a ministry of passion and a place that changes lives forever!