Where is The Union Mission Ministries located?
The Union Mission is located at 5100 E. Virginia Beach Blvd., Norfolk, Virginia. Our Bashford Men’s Shelter and Women and Children’s Shelter are open year-round at this location (call 757-627-8686 for availability), and our Donation Drop-Off and Thrift Store also are at our Norfolk campus.
Hope Haven is located at 3000 North Landing Road in Virginia Beach. Its ministries include Camp Hope Haven, Switchback, Recharge Respite Care, the Hope Haven Children’s Home, and some rental facilities.
How can I volunteer at The Union Mission or Hope Haven?
We have many volunteer opportunities, on campus and off campus, for people to use their skills, interests, and gifts. Our goal is to match individuals and groups to ways they can serve here that will resonate with their values.
All first-time volunteers are required to attend a Volunteer Orientation, which are held monthly.
Our volunteer program cannot accommodate court-ordered community service requests.
To learn more about volunteering with us, see Volunteer. Better yet, Christina Geisler, our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, at volunteer@ummnorva.org or 757-627-8686, ext 415.
What types of donations do you need?
Our Thrift Store accepts new or gently used clothing and shoes, furniture, household items, bric-a-brac, lawn equipment, and vehicles. Many of these donations go toward helping our homeless guests as they move into permanent housing, and all sales benefit the ministry.
We also appreciate donations of new goods listed on our regularly updated Give Goods/Most Needed Items list.
How is the Mission funded?
Since 1892, The Union Mission has been funded solely by individuals, churches, businesses, and other organizations. We do not receive any local, state, or federal funding, though we do partner with such agencies to offer appropriate resources to our shelter guests.
Some donors generously have included The Union Mission in their wills and estates. For information on estate planning, see our Legacy Giving overview, or contact our Donor Relations Department at 757-627-8686, ext. 504.
Is The Union Mission Ministries affiliated with a particular church?
The Union Mission Ministries is a non-denominational Christian 501(c)(3) organization and a member of the Citygate Network, an association of over 300 Gospel rescue missions. We have partnerships with many different churches who help us do this work the Lord has called us to do. View our Mission Statement.
Who benefits from my monetary donation?
Our mission is to serve those experiencing homelessness in our community.
The Union Mission’s Bashford Men’s Shelter houses men 18 and older. The Union Mission’s Women and Children’s Shelter houses women 18 years and older, and adult women with children. Children living in the shelter must be accompanied by a female legal guardian.
Our services are offered free to our shelter guests in need, regardless of age, creed/religion, color, gender, orientation, or national origin. Legally, we cannot offer emergency shelter to registered sex offenders because of the proximity of our men’s and women’s shelters.
The safety of all our guests is a high priority and we desire to provide reasonable accommodations to those we serve. With this in mind, we require all guests to adhere to the policies and guidelines of The Union Mission during the entirety of their stay.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, more than 80% percent of the funds we receive provide food, shelter, clothing, training, and other assistance to those in need. Approximately 20% covers administrative and program expenses. Our current audited financial statements are always available on our website under Learn/Financials, and also is available upon written request from the office of Consumer Affairs of the Commonwealth of Virginia or by calling (757) 627-8686, ext. 552.
What does the Mission do with my personal information after I donate?
Your privacy is important to us. The Union Mission does not sell or release any information about our donors to any other organization. To prevent unauthorized access, maintain data accuracy, and ensure the correct use of information, we have put in place appropriate physical, electronic, and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure the information we collect online. Should you have other questions or concerns about these privacy policies, please contact Roseanne Dickerson at (757) 627-8686, ext. 554.
As a donor, how do I request to receive less fundraising mail?
Please let us know how often you would like to mail from our ministry. Contact Roseanne Dickerson at (757) 627-8686, ext. 554 to make an adjustment to your current mail frequency. We will be happy to accommodate your needs.