Dallas, Texas September 20, 2021 – North Texas Giving Day is around the corner, and for non-profit organizations, like Union Gospel Mission (UGM) Dallas, the one-day online giving event provides a large portion of their annual funding. For donors, the benefit of giving on September 23rd is that as the result of a match giving grant, donations made on that day are doubled.
UGM Dallas partners with community members, businesses, and churches to offer more than food and shelter to the homeless men, women, children, and veterans in Dallas County. Their mission is to transform lives to end homelessness one person at a time. In order to complete that mission, programs have been established to offer job training and placement, educational and veterans services, and eventually transitional housing and support.
Kevin is one of the hundreds of individuals that UGM Dallas helps every year. After 30 years of hard work had taken a toll on his body, he was no longer able to pass the physicals required to keep working. “But Kevin shared how UGM Dallas has helped him during this time: “I couldn’t go no farther…I just didn’t have nowhere to go,” he said. “UGM is here for me, it’s here for everybody. They got job fairs, they got workforce, the got everything there for you. Union Gospel Mission Dallas—what they have for you, not just work, but the Gospel.”
Melissa is another individual whose life has been impacted dramatically by UGM Dallas. “Statistically, I should not be where I am,” said Melissa. In 2017, she went to Center of Hope Women and Children’s Shelter with her two children, then ages 5 and 7. She got the help she needed, along with more education, more spiritual education, and more people to hold her accountable. She began a job at Parkland Hospital, was recruited by the head of the emergency department, and was able to move into an apartment. During COVID, Melissa saw others struggling because they couldn’t have parties and celebrations. Determined to make a difference, she bought a cotton candy machine, and began renting it out for home parties. The first machine quickly paid for itself, and she bought a second machine. In the middle of a pandemic, Melissa launched a rental business that has grown to include snow cone machines, tents, chairs, and bounce houses. From sleeping in her car to an independent entrepreneur—that’s the impact that UGM Dallas has made on her life.
The pandemic exacerbated the needs of homeless individuals like Kevin and Melissa—but it also brought in less funds to care for them. UGM Dallas was unable to hold their normal fundraisers, so North Texas Giving Day is one of their biggest opportunities to raise funds to continue their mission.
“Our little actions together add up to make huge impacts,” shared Bruce Butler, CEO of UGM Dallas. “North Texas Giving Day is a way to make your actions add up—especially since every donation is doubled thanks to an amazing match-grant of up to $150,000!”
Communities Foundation of Texas’ North Texas Giving Day is an 18-hour online giving event designed to empower every person to give back to their community by supporting local nonprofits and causes they care about in one easy-to-use platform. During North Texas Giving Day, everyone will have the opportunity to be a philanthropist to build a stronger and more vibrant community. Donors can give early, and donations are accepted through September 23rd, on North Texas Giving Day.
The work of UGM Dallas is supported by the generous donations of the community. For more information on UGM Dallas, visit www.ugmdallas.org. Those interested on giving on September 23rd or giving early can at https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/ugmd
About the Union Gospel Mission Dallas
Established in 1949, Union Gospel Mission Dallas (the Mission) has been restoring lives through the Word of Jesus Christ. This faith-based nonprofit organization supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness with shelter, food and clothing, as well as a Discipleship and recovery program, vocational job training and development, state-licensed childcare services, medical care, transportation, substance abuse prevention, and transitional and permanent housing.
During the COVID-19 pandemic lock-down, UGM Dallas opened their doors to provide 24/7 shelter in place to all their clients, most of whom previously only used their facility as a night shelter. In 2020, the Mission provided 496,705 meals and 128,206 nights of shelter. UGM Dallas also served 113 veterans in their men’s shelter in 2020. The men, women and children that are served represent the living, breathing embodiment of the grace of change. The Mission is committed to doing everything possible to transform lives to end homelessness one person at a time.