Quality relationships have shaped my life. From growing up with four brothers to active participation in athletics, camaraderie and team have had a huge impact on the man I am today. Throughout this newsletter, you will read about the significance of relationship in the work of life change taking place throughout our ministry.

We have learned that homelessness and isolation tend to go hand in hand. The people who enter our shelters have been hurt in relationships, and so they withdraw in order to never be hurt again. They isolate. They hide behind masks. Sometimes those masks are meant to look intimidating so no one dare come near. Other times, the masks are quite attractive and approachable, but they are still masks – built to hide the true self, the wounded self.

Here’s the catch – or what our treatment team calls “a double bind” – the wounds created by relationship can only be healed by relationship. As long as the true self stays hidden, it cannot heal because God created us for relationship – relationship with Him, relationship with each other. Coming out from behind the mask, however, means risking further injury. That’s why the Union Gospel Mission strives so hard to create a safe, healing environment for our guests. We try to make the first steps into the open as their true selves as positive as possible.

Graduates from our program often speak of discovering for the first time what it means to be truly known and loved, of experiencing a sense of family. And then, after 18 months to two years, they leave that newfound community. Hopefully, during their stay, they have been equipped with the skills and knowledge required to create new relationships, but we have observed that this transition can be difficult.

I am excited to share with you a new program that we are launching to facilitate this move from one community to another. It’s called our Aftercare Program, and our staff will be training mentors who can come alongside our graduates as they seek to rebuild their lives outside our shelters. In addition, we will be working with churches to help them create safe, accepting environments for people in recovery. Our desire is to deepen our partnership with the community as we continue to help men and women return to society as contributing members.

Serving together,

 
Phil Altmeyer
Executive Director