GivingGuide2019

SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019 | Special Advertising Section 1 R 8 Richard found the love and sup- port he needed to escape addic- tion and homelessness through the men’s recovery program at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission. Richard started using drugs around the time he was eight years old. “I wasn’t addicted, but it helped me escape a very traumatic home life. As I got older, every time something happened that I couldn’t deal with, or I didn’t want to deal with, I would just go and numb myself by getting high.” As an adult, Richard’s lifelong drug use intensified. He struggled to fit into society. He’d get a job and quickly lose it. He’d find a place to stay and lose that, too. “After I got out of prison, I started using needles to get high. I didn’t care about anybody, or if anybody cared about me. I couldn’t hold a job. I burned all my bridges with friends. I’d lost everything and was completely homeless.” Then came the night of March 13, 2013. “I remember wishing I could just go to sleep and never wake up. I prayed to God for some kind of change. A half hour later, the Mission’s Search & Rescue team found me sleeping on a piece of cardboard. They asked what was going on in my life and how they could help. That night I got involved with the Mission and I haven’t left since.” Drug-free for 5.5 years, today Richard works at the Mission as our Emergency Outreach Admin- istrator. Almost every day he hits the streets, reaching out to our homeless brothers and sisters, often driving the same Search & Rescue van that found him. “I would describe my life today as blessed and hopeful. I’m able to be there for people. To be God’s hands and make sure that people know they matter.” Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission serves Seattle’s homeless by addressing short-term physical needs and providing long-term solutions that break the cycle of addiction, mental illness, and poverty. We share God’s love by serving those in greatest need. Learn more at ugm.org. By guest author, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission From a life on the streets to a life helping others PROVIDED BY SEATTLE’S UNION GOSPEL MISSION Richard works at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission as Emergency Outreach Administrator. During this past year, Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission counted on your generosity to provide 857,439 nutritious meals 149, 719 nights of safe shelter 3,104 names we know on the street, more than a million warm hugs and countless smiles to Seattle’s homeless. GiveBIG to Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission by May 8. Matching grant doubles your gift of meals, shelter and hope for new life! ugm.org On May 8 th , can they count on you?