Step 1:
UGM Thrift Store opens at 419 Snake River Ave. in Lewiston in February 2021.
In 2019, a group of LC Valley residents who recognized a need for shelter services reached out to UGM leadership and invited us to explore the idea of establishing a local presence.
There are more than 200 people experiencing homelessness in Idaho’s Region 2, 70% of whom were unsheltered as of 2022, and currently, a safe, clean-and-sober shelter does not exist in the area. UGM’s LC Valley Shelter will provide a pathway out of homelessness for all who are ready for change. By God’s grace and power, we will soon be a beacon of hope in the valley.
UGM Thrift Store opens at 419 Snake River Ave. in Lewiston in February 2021.
An advisory group evaluates the level of community support for a clean-and-sober crisis shelter in the area.
UGM pursues city approval for a crisis shelter at this location.
We could use your help getting funding secured from the community in time for the 2023 groundbreaking.
By including UGM in your Will, you’re providing long-term stability for UGM’s gospel-centered services to the poorest of our neighbors.
Please take a few moments to let us know about your decision by filling out this form. We appreciate the opportunity to acknowledge your generosity and answer any questions you might have about the impact of your legacy gift.
18 churches from the Lewiston-Clarkston region have agreed to partner with us through hosting a “UGM Sunday” in May and June. This is a greater response than we anticipated! UGM Sundays typically include a special offering dedicated to the Mission. All funds received will go to the Union Gospel Mission LC Valley Expansion.
Also, great news! The appeal that was made against the City of Lewsiton’s approval has been overturned. We have all green lights.
We continue to pray for God to provide the remaining $1.65 million that will make the Union Gospel Mission, LC Valley Expansion possible. The next few months will be crucial in our fundraising efforts, as we strengthen connections with local churches and launch our public campaign. We will also be taking our building plans to bid, selecting a contractor, and applying for a few key grants.
The most intense phase of fundraising begins with great momentum: of the $7 million needed for the project, we have only $2 million left to raise. As we extend the invitation to local churches in coming months, we have high expectations of not only nearing our funding goals, but expanding and deepening our connections within the community.
Also, we’d like to announce that we’ve hired our new Shelter Director, Jeremy Stevens.
As of the start of 2023, we have raised over $800K of the $3M we’re asking from the Valley. The architectural plans are progressing well, we will soon select our builder, and we have scheduled a full calendar of fundraising and informational events starting in March!
As of July this year, we’ve been granted a conditional use permit, and we’ve been given a date! We must break ground on the property no later than July 2023. As of September 20, our thrift store on that property is permanently closed in preparation.
At the recent Lewiston City Council meeting, council members signaled they are now willing to consider raising the capacity limit for (high-barrier) homeless shelters from 50 to 100 beds.
We are still working with estimates, but our best guess is that the shelter will cost approximately $7 million to build. The UGM Foundation will be contributing $4 million and we are requesting $3 million from the LC Valley.
If you haven’t already, and you’re interested in partnering with us financially, please contact Steve Ellisen at 509.532.3810.
More Info
To follow along on this exciting journey, please enjoy these articles and watch for more updates.
Low-Barrier vs. High-Barrier Shelter
KLEW Special Report: Union Gospel Mission Homeless Shelter
Mike Fosbury at mdfosbury@gmail.com or
Kimberly Anglin at kimberly.anglin@uniongospelmission.org
for further information.