Program: How Union Gospel Mission helps our community

Chaska Rotarian Randy Nelson introduced Rick Berggren, a Development Advisor from Union Gospel Mission, Twin Cities (UGMTC).

The mission offers help for the homeless, poor and addicted in the Twin Cities through meals, shelter, recovery, education and job training programs. The goal is to provide pathways to dignity, Rick said, He also told us of a Chaska resident’s experiences before and after becoming a “student” within the Mission’s programs. Rick provided examples of how much meaningful phrases like “a hot and a cot” and “stay until the miracles happen” can mean to the thousands of people benefiting from the Mission.

Each night, 400 men and 32 women with families take advantage of the shelters provided by the mission. On October 18, a movie will be premiered that highlights the positive effects of an individual’s involvement in the life of another “Same Kind of Different As Me” is based on the inspiring true story of international art dealer Ron Hall (Greg Kinnear), who befriends a homeless man (Djmon Hounsou) in hopes of saving his struggling marriage to Debbie (Rene’e Zellweger).

For more information about the movie and the Mission: https://www.ugmtc.org.