Union Gospel Mission

Nicole Robson is the senior development office with UGM who have been working in the Downtown Eastside since 1940.  They currently have 7 locations including New Westminster and Mission and serve 300,000 meals a year to the community.  Their alcohol and drug recovery program has an outstanding record that after 2 years 73% of those that graduated are still sober and drug free.  The program lasts over 18 months and approximately 30 clients graduate each year.  UGM does not accept any government money for their programs - they receive support from the community with over 4000 regular donors.  Their Corner Store drop in opens at 6:30 am for coffee and there is always a long line up.  It is a block from Strathcona Elementary.  They have 150 employees and 3900 volunteers.  Some of their employees have gone through recovery with UGM.  They have a receptionist, John, that was for 40 years an alcoholic having started drinking at 10 years old.  He now has been clean and sober for 6 years.  In 2011 they moved to a new building and they now keep their old building just for women and children which will be a new focus of the organization.