Home How We Serve Union Mission & Family Shelter

Font Size:

	Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.
Psalms 41:1

The Bible tells the story of a man named Job who was wealthy and lost his family, his health and all of his worldly goods. He was a good and righteous

41% of the homeless are veterans. 87% of the Union Mission clients are employed. In 2003, there were 870 homeless men, women & children just in the city of Norfolk (According to the city's Point & Time Count.) 94% of the homeless are male, 6% are female. 81% of the homelessness was caused by the economy (2003). More homeless statistics

man, yet he lost everything. Job's story is not unlike some of the homeless men & women who come to the Union Mission for assistance. People become homeless for a variety of reasons; some have given in to the lure of alcohol or drug abuse, some have simply made poor choices in life, others are victims who have suffered because of the choices of others. Still others have lost a job or home and have no place to go and no way to provide for their needs. The Union Mission Men's Shelter and Family Shelter provide a solution to the problem of homelessness in the Hampton Roads community.

Our doors remain open 365 days a year to help hurting men, women and children. Single women and women with children receive emergency shelter, food and clothing in our Family Shelter. Our caring staff helps them to find jobs and permanent housing. They also guide our guests through counseling, Bible studies and discipleship to find hope for the future and new lives in Christ.

At the Mission, homeless men receive spiritual guidance in an environment of accountability and cultivation. When a transient man comes into the Mission he receives a hot meal, clean clothing and shelter for the night. However, to remain in the Mission's care a man must follow strict standards of accountability and either work in the Mission's Rehabilitation Program or seek outside employment. Alcohol, drug use, vulgar language, disruptive behavior, and pornography are forbidden and not tolerated. While residing in the Transient Dormitory, our guests receive counseling, encouragement, and attend mandatory chapel services. Men who desire to reach the next level of achievement enroll in the Mission's Industrial Rehabilitation Program.