Dallas, Texas September 10, 2021 – Union Gospel Mission (UGM) Dallas recognized and honored veterans living at the Calvert Men’s Shelter by inviting them to attend “An Evening with Patriots Dinner” hosted by Defenders of Freedom. The dinner helped provide emergency financial assistance to post 9/11 veterans. The event speaker, Hamody Jasim, is the author of The Terrorist Whisper and has been one of America’s greatest weapons in fighting the terror war against Al Qaeda and ISIS. Attendees heard Jasim’s story, starting from being imprisoned at 12 as a political prisoner, to helping eliminate high level Al-Qaeda and Islamic State operatives. Click for Photos
The Defenders of Freedom was founded by Donna Cranston, a military mother, to tangibly connect the community with service members. Defenders of Freedom’s primary goals are to provide care and transitional support for our Troops and Veterans, assistance with basic living necessities through short-term emergency financial support, address imminent physical and mental health issues, improve morale, keep Veterans engaged in a supportive community, and to provide access to Veterans with traumatic brain injuries to a comprehensive treatment protocol.
UGM Dallas is helping support this event as part of their commitment to serve Veterans in the Dallas area. UGM Dallas partners with the Dallas VA to give Veterans who “were formerly homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless” a transitional living environment for up to two years. UGM Dallas’ not only provides food and shelter, but also offers Veterans job training and placement and transitional support.
“We want to give back to those who gave so much for our nation,” stated Bruce Butler, CEO of UGM Dallas. “The Defenders of Freedom Dinner is an opportunity to hear about the challenges they faced while deployed—and to help them face the challenges that come from returning to civilian life. We’re privileged to help protect these Veterans from homelessness!”
Another way to support Veterans and the work of UGM Dallas is through North Texas Giving Day. The September 23rd event empowers every person to give back to their community by supporting local nonprofits and causes they care about in one easy-to-use platform—but donors can give early, with a matching grant of up to $150,000. To learn more and donate, visit www.ugmdallas.org.
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.
