News + Stories
2026 Charitable Giving Tax Changes
Congress’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes several charitable-giving tax changes scheduled to begin in 2026. While these changes don’t take effect immediately, they may influence decisions you’re considering before the end of 2025. Here is a summary of what’s coming and how it may affect your planning.
Volunteer Spotlight: Kelly Elkins
Eight years ago, Kelly and her husband, David, decided they wanted to build community and find ways for their neighborhood to serve others. Along with their nextdoor neighbors, they invited people on their street to come to a workday at our previous Women and Children’s Center location.
Vanessa’s LifeChange Story
For much of Vanessa’s life, the holidays were anything but happy. She started using marijuana when she was 10 to numb the pain of being abused. It didn’t help. By 17, she was using meth. For years she cycled between prison and homelessness.
Volunteer Spotlight - Terry Dalke
When Terry set out on a motorcycle trip 20 years ago, he assumed he’d have a great time. He always did. But what he wasn’t expecting was how that trip connected him to the Mission.
Aaron’s Story of Transformation
Before coming to the Mission, Aaron says his life was “a mess.” He was living on the streets. He was struggling with addiction. He wasn’t eating enough. His mental health was at its worst. “I was like, when’s this going to end?” he remembers. “I couldn’t stop it. I would still get drunk and sit and have conversations with people that weren’t there.”
Operation Backpack
Operation Backpack is our annual campaign to make sure our neighbors who are experiencing homelessness have the resources they need to survive the winter. Starting in mid-October, UGM will distribute backpacks with winter gear and a meal to our downtown guests, on our Search + Rescue mobile outreach and at partner locations with churches and organizations in the metro area.