Trying to find some answers, Robin left everything he knew in west Texas and took a Greyhound bus to Portland to trace his roots. After a short time living in hotel rooms, he found himself broke and out of options. Desperate, he called 211 and soon found himself at the Union Gospel Mission in Portland.

Never quite feeling at home in West Texas, Robin used alcohol to cope with social interactions and anxiety. As the anxiety increased, so did the alcohol use. "Self medicating with alcohol caused me to spiral downward," explains Robin.

After a short detox from alcohol Robin came into UGM's LifeChange program on Christmas eve. "I was impressed how clean and hospitable the place is, I felt at home," smiles Robin. "It was a great Christmas present."

As part of LifeChange work therapy, Robin serves in the Union Gospel Mission's homeless services department where we provide meals and clothing to our low income and homeless neighbors. UGM serves more than 250,000 meals a year to the homeless and people in need. In addition to meals, the Mission provides food boxes, a day room with coffee and snacks, clothing, hygiene items, referral services and emergency cold weather shelter.

"Our homeless guests are mostly looking for a safe place to rest and grab something to eat," said Robin. "Like all of us, our guests are also created in the image of God...we never give up on them." Robin explains, "for someone living on the streets our services can be the difference between life and death."

Often after a short respite, a warm meal and some prayers from our residents or staff, trust will begin to be built. Many of our homeless neighbors have been hurt so deep that they go into survival mode where it's fight or flight. Only after trust is built can we start having the conversations that lead to a changed life.

 UGM is home to the LifeChange program, a Christ-centered recovery community. Its purpose is to transform lives and break people free from addiction and destructive life patterns.

"I want to say thank you to the donors," said Robin. "I was broke and scared and I'm very grateful for this opportunity to start over."

If you know of someone battling addiction or homelessness and they have had enough and are interested in a LifeChange, contact our Intake Coordinator at mensintake@ugmportland.org or 503-274-4483. Or if you would like to donate visit ugmportland.org