FAQs
Q. What services do you offer?
A. We offer separate emergency shelters for men and for women and families; long-term recovery programs for men, women and families; after-school and summer programs for youth; summer camp for kids 4-16; and two thrift stores.
Q. Do people in your long-term recovery programs work?
A. Yes. Regular work assignments on Mission grounds help develop a positive work ethic, and complete tasks vital to our daily operation.
Q. Do you ever turn anyone away from emergency shelter?
A. We don’t turn a man away unless he becomes a danger to other guests. Our Hotline for the Homeless searches city shelters for placement for women and families, but sadly there are times when there is no shelter available. This more likely occurs in summer.
Q. Who is served at the Family Center?
A. Single women, married couples, single parents, and relatives caring for children under age 18.
Q. How long can people stay at the Family Center?
A. Up to two weeks. If they enter recovery and discipleship programs - up to nine months.
Q. What services do you provide for homeless or poor youth?
A. Vanderberg Youth Center, offers children and teens life-skills classes, tutors, Bible studies, and recreational activities.
Q. Why does City Union Mission have a summer camping program?
A. To help break cycle of poverty or homelessness.
Q. What can my family do together for the Mission?
A. Bake cookies, create welcome bags, make inspirational, seasonal wall and table decorations, collect items from our ongoing needs list.
Q. How can groups serve?
A. Underwrite costs for meals, schedule maintenance projects, serve at Mission events or seasonal opportunities, provide Share-A-Meal.
Q. How can my family or group Share-A-Meal?
A. View the available Share-A-Meal options. Please note children must be accompanied by adults and over 14 to serve at the Men’s Center.
Q. Are there ongoing volunteer opportunities to work with clients available?
A. Yes, there are! View Our Current Opportunities.
Q. How can I get started
A. Call 816-474-9380 or email CLICK HERE.
Q. Can my family serve Thanksgiving dinner?
A. We do not need anyone to serve Thanksgiving dinner.
Q. What can I do at Thanksgiving?
A. We distribute holiday baskets to about 350 needy families. Your monetary donations will help with this.
The Mission collects thousands of pounds of food for the low-income community, distributing holiday baskets to about 350 needy families at both Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Our Christmas ministry helps make Christmas happen for hundreds of income qualified low-income or homeless families and men, nursing home residents, children at the Vanderberg Youth Center, and Jackson County Jail inmates, distributing over 12,000 new items.
