Jemal Damtawe is well known and respected in the Downtown Eastside as an outreach worker with Union Gospel Mission (UGM). Many will know that he struggled with addictions himself before he overcame them and began helping others on the street.… Read more →
The City of Vancouver recently posted information about the Women and Family Recovery and Housing Centre, a major new initiative of Union Gospel Mission (UGM). In January, the provincial government promised an $83-million investment in four projects [450 units] all located in the… Read more →
NBA player Jeremy Lin made a couple of high profile public appearances before he heads back to the east coast later this week. The Brooklyn Nets guard oversaw a basketball skills competition, gave his testimony and responded to questions before… Read more →
The biggest event on the horizon is Missions Fest, which will be held at the end of next week (January 26 – 28) at the Vancouver Convention Centre. What I love about Missions Fest is the opportunity to meet the… Read more →
Last week, for the fourth time since first being elected in 2008, Mayor Gregor Robertson convened a meeting with faith leaders at Vancouver City Hall, to seek their assistance in addressing homelessness and affordable housing. Nearly two dozen senior clergy… Read more →
Peter Biggs of The Light Magazine is researching one Metro Vancouver / Fraser Valley municipality each month, and producing a focus on each one. The November issue features New Westminster. Situated in the centre of the Greater Vancouver Regional District, much of New Westminster is… Read more →
Jenny Hawkinson has been working as an artist for a decade, mostly in the Downtown Eastside. For several years she worked with Mission Possible; now she is a DTES street pastor / artist with 24-7 Prayer. Over the summer, she and… Read more →
Princess Avenue doesn’t have an official ‘car free’ day, but the Downtown Eastside street will in fact be closed to cars twice this week. Yesterday Union Gospel Mission (UGM) hosted Summer Connect outside its building north of Hastings, and on Sunday (June 18)… Read more →
Christ Church Cathedral will host Vancouver Remembers and Honours next Thursday (May 18), “a community vigil for people affected by the overdose crisis.” Kari Bergrud of Union Gospel Mission – one partner organizing the event – sent out this invitation: The… Read more →
As we hunker down for another round of snow, it is encouraging to know that the Salvation Army, Union Gospel Mission and several churches are playing a major role in providing Extreme Weather Shelter for many homeless people. The City… Read more →
