With serving an average of 650 people each day, Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County needs assistance getting ready for the hot summer months to come. There are certain necessities that we need to stock up on so we are prepared to meet the needs of those in need. Here are some of the ways that you can help us gear up for summer:

1. Donate Bottled Water- Throughout the summer, we pass water out to all the homeless guests that come in for a meal off the streets.

2. Host a Special Event for Residents (i.e. Family Picnic, Field Day, Cook-Out …)

3. Haircuts for Residents- Help our residents shed some of their hair so they can stay cool during the hot months.

4. Supply Deodorant, Sunscreen & Body Spray- We can’t seem to get enough of these items during the summer since they’re in such demand!

5. Help the Kids Stay Busy- Many of our school-aged kids go to day camps throughout the summer to keep active. If you know of any that they may be able to attend please let us know.

6. Volunteer- Many of our regular volunteers take a break during the summer so we can always use some extra help.

7. Keep Residents Cool- A simple fan can make a real difference in any living or work space. We’re happy to accept fans of all sizes to help cool our residents.

8. Prepare Kids for Camp- Many of our kids that plan to go to camp need certain supplies such as flashlights, swimming towels, insect repellant, baseball caps, sunglasses & sunscreen.

9. Provide Refreshing Treats- We like to pass out popsicles during the heat of the day to those outside on the street enduring the intense Texas sun.

10. Pray- It’s hard to imagine what life would be like when you don’t have the luxury of having a cool space to retreat to in the heat of summer. Please help us to pray for the safety and well-being of the homeless this summer.

“We were born to unite with our fellow men and to join in community with the human race.”– Cicero

The community is the lifeline of Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. We simply could not do it without the support of individuals, businesses, foundations and churches. The electronic volunteer sign-in, the impressive facilities and the church group that comes to serve in the dining hall, are all results of community support. Still, we continue to strive to better our relationship with community members knowing the difference they make here at the Mission! 

This year, we’ve been blessed to further our existing community partnerships with programs such as TCU LEAPS, Rotary Stars, Moncrief Cancer Institute, Kids Who Care, North Texas Specialty Physicians Charitable Fund, Greatest Gift Catalog Ever and Junior League FW. We also have many excellent partnerships with local churches and schools that come to host service days at the Mission as well as supply us with year-round volunteers.  

In addition, we’ve begun to form new community partnerships, which we’re very excited about. For instance, Quicksilver Resources had their first ever community service day at the Mission, which was a great success! Also, we’re thrilled about Alcon’s presence at the Mission this year. The company donated shelving for our warehouse so we are able to store more donations and run it more effectively. And just last month, a large group of employees came to serve on Alcon’s global community service day.

Every time we have the opportunity to host these groups at the Mission, we like to inform them about what’s taking place here and how their support truly makes a difference. In turn, we’re able to hear from them how we can further our partnership with them for the future. Of course, this is just a glimpse into the community relationships that we are fortunate to have. It’s truly remarkable to see how generous and supportive the Tarrant County area has been to the Mission and we can’t say thank you enough!

Often times, residents at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County who are close to moving out face anxiety about living independently. The Mission tries to address these issues by collaborating with local agencies that can teach residents certain life-skills to better prepare them for living on their own. Through partnership with the Tarrant Area Food Bank the Mission offers, Cooking Matters™, a cooking-based nutrition class. This innovative program provides a long-term solution to hunger and poor nutrition by demonstrating strategies to get the best nutrition possible on a limited budget.

The six weeks, hands-on courses are taught by culinary and nutrition experts who volunteer to teach nutrition, cooking, food-budgeting and shopping techniques. All participants also receive a workbook with class recipes and handouts. In addition, participants receive a bag of kitchen goodies to start their kitchens when they leave the Mission at the end of the six weeks course.

Thus far, we have held two classes at UGM-TC and will be starting a third this month. 28 residents have graduated from the program giving us an 88% graduation rate. It’s quickly becoming one of the most popular classes offered at UGM-TC. Here are some quotes from former residents about what they thought of the class:

“It has changed my life by making me more conscience of what I eat and how  it should be prepared.” – Harold H.

                 “This class was great! I enjoyed it very much.” – Larry S.

                 “It helped me to watch what I eat and eat healthy.” – Neva F.

All-in-all Cooking Matters™ has really made a difference! The program allows UGM-TC residents feel better prepared to live independently, thus furthering the ultimate goal of the Mission to have residents successfully assimilate back into society and become productive citizens.

Spring time in Texas can be brutal for those that suffer from allergies. The homeless are certainly no exception. Have you ever wondered what resources the homeless have to get basic medical needs met, like treating allergies? Specifically, at Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County we offer free primary health services at the Healing Shepherd Clinic to all residents and other area homeless individuals (adults), who do not have a primary care provider.

The clinic services set Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County apart from other area shelters. UGM-TC seeks to do more than simply provide meals and a place to spend the night. While staying at UGM, the healthcare needs of the residents are addressed. Within 30 days of coming to UGM-TC, the new residents come to the clinic to complete paperwork so that they can receive services at JPS (JPS Connection) and they also schedule a history and physical exam at that time. During the history and physical exam, the medical provider is able to learn about the patient’s health history, perform a medical exam and determine a plan of care specific to each individual patient.  

After the initial medical visit, patients may return on an as needed basis for acute care needs or on a regular basis for chronic medical problems if they are not already established with a primary care provider. So if a resident is suffering from allergies, he or she can schedule a visit at the Clinic to get it treated quickly.

Healing Shepherd Clinic is very blessed to have a talented group of physicians and nurses that have a heart to serve by volunteering their time each month at the clinic. In addition, to the volunteer help, the Clinic has a Nurse Practitioner, a Registered Nurse and an Administrative Assistant to help run the daily operations. Another way the Clinic is supported is through grants and community funding. Most recently, we received a grant from the North Texas Specialty Physicians Charitable Fund for $10,000. This funding will help us continue to minimize patient visits to the urgent care and emergency room at JPS and other hospitals as much as possible, a main priority of ours.

Volunteers are the lifeline of Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. With close to 2,000 volunteers in our database, we recognize that each and every one of you has something special and unique to offer. Whether it’s being a friendly face in our dining hall, mentoring and tutoring our kids or hosting a special event for the residents, volunteers are present each and every day at the Mission bringing invaluable service to those in need.

This week National Volunteer Week is being recognized throughout the country. Although, we are always appreciative of the work our volunteers do, this week seems like a perfect excuse to take a moment to say thank you and highlight some of our brand new opportunities to serve: Organic Gardening and Children’s Activities.

The garden is located off-site in west Fort Worth at a private estate. All of the vegetables and fruit grown are picked and delivered to the Mission for use in the dining hall! There is an educational component for volunteers to learn the basics of organic gardening as well. This is a truly unique opportunity!

Children’s Activities is wonderful way to get involved with the younger children living at the Mission. It’s designed for the babies and toddlers. Volunteers implement and execute planned activities with the kids while their parents are in mandatory meetings. Activities include games, crafts, reading and playing.

We could not be more blessed with the quality volunteers that choose to serve at the Mission. You truly add to the family-like culture we aim to create. You enrich the lives of the staff and residents. You are vital to our success and make what we do each and every day possible!