Mission Network Newsletters
September 2024
Fred’s life was changed at The Union Mission! Meet one of our faithful volunteers! And hear about the amazing season Camp Hope Haven had this summer.
Shannon‘s life is back online because you give to The Union Mission! Meet our new leaders of shelter ministries! And hear first-hand how Camp Hope Haven prepares youth for Christian service. It’s all in our summer issue!
Matthew always felt like pieces of himself were missing—and his life spiraled downward as he tried to fill the voids himself. But his time in our David Development Program lifted him up to build a bright, bright future!
Joel hopes to dance again, despite his disability. Eugene has built a better life without bingeing on booze. And Easter offers right-now help and eternal hope to our homeless shelter guests. It’s all possible because you donate!
January is the perfect time for new beginnings. Discover how your donations helped David start anew here at the Mission after incarceration, and get to know Douglas Preston, our new Senior Director of Programs.
Music and meals are a part of every holiday season. Randy loves both. As a former guest, he’s got a hymn in his heart for all the Lord has done. As part of our Kitchen Crew, he loves the smiles some good food can inspire.
Caring like Christ: Our Women’s Shelter staff is compassionate, competent, and committed to aiding female neighbors experiencing homelessness. Read how your faithful support helps them give ladies a new lease on life.
Russell had survived losses before, but losing his wife, his home, his dogs, and his father one after the other became too much to bear. Learn how your giving helped him trade his liquor for the Lord here at The Union Mission.
David‘s life was on the fast track to success—right up until it wasn’t. Find out how God used an unexpected detour and our David Development Program to help him reexamine his priorities and recommit to the Lord.
His AAS in culinary arts, sous chef experience at an Oceanfront gastropub, and acceptance into the Disney Culinary Program: Discover how your David Development Program support helped Kyle move closer to his dream.
The abuses of Jacob‘s childhood wrought unbelievable emotional pain. For 44 years he bore the burdens of his shameful secrets alone. But he’s dropping his trauma here during his return stay at The Union Mission.
Ellery has few regrets in life, but his experiences in Vietnam are among them. The war exposed him to horrors that affected his physical, mental, and spiritual health for decades, but he found hope at The Union Mission!
Trusting an untrustworthy “friend” could have ended John‘s life. Instead, he ended up seriously hurt, then hospitalized, then homeless. But with help from his trusty cane and The Union Mission, he’s determined to walk on!
For six decades now, Hope Haven, our tranquil Virginia Beach campus, has hosted a Christian summer camp for kids and teens across South Hampton Roads. Find out how we are changing eternity, one child at a time.
Carlton always expected to play pro football in the NFL. He never expected to be living in a homeless shelter 500+ miles from home. But while he was here at The Union Mission, God called an audible that changed his life.
No one wants to end up homeless—twice. “I lost faith when I was at my lowest,” Kody says, “but I’m always trying not to give up. I want life to be better!” See how your support for The Union Mission helped Kody succeed!
“People have a preconceived notion of what homeless people are like: losers, junkies, lazy,” says Paul. “But they don’t know where they came from—or where they are going.” Find out how the Mission changed Paul’s future.
Darrell knows you’re never too old for three things: growth, God’s grace, and gratitude. Discover how he and other emergency shelter guests feel about The Union Mission and the life-changing help that your gifts make possible.
You helped Kadeem and other shelter guests overcome PTSD and the traumas of the past. Now they are equipped for better mental health and to see things through the eyes of help and hope.
Shon has brittle bones, but a resilient spirit. And The Union Mission’s Wellness Team has “had my back 100%!” Discover the good break Shon found here as a shelter guest, thanks to your giving.
Dena was 7 months pregnant when she and her four daughters arrived at the Mission’s Women and Children’s Shelter with nowhere else to go. It matters that six black lives improved because you cared and helped!
Khalil‘s past had more than its share of challenges, but his future now has more ups than downs—and he credits our David Development Program for young men at our Bashford Men’s Shelter.
Sam knows he was a “knucklehead” who relied on cocaine for way too long. But now he has a whole new outlook on life in our RECLAIM program, thanks to your faithful gifts to The Union Mission!
“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would be homeless,” Tim said. “If it wasn’t for The Union Mission, I would be on the street.” Discover the difference your financial support made in Tim’s life.
Connie is “thankful I became homeless because I found this place—and they brought me back to God.” We’re thankful that your generosity helped her prepare for a better future.
Your generous contributions give seniors like Washington a chance to live a productive life, even during a pandemic. See how he and other guests are using their gifts and talents to serve others.
“Everyone keeps reminding me that God accepts me as I am,” P.J. says. You helped provide an “extremely lost” young man with a safe place to find a great job, become a better dad, and build a brighter future.