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NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Kimberly George, Director of Marketing and Development
423-308-7715 or 423-503-1801
Jon Rector, Executive Director, Union Gospel Mission
423-356-0177
Date: July 8, 2008
The Union Gospel Mission Opens its Doors in a New Location
Chattanooga, TN – The Union Gospel Mission (a D.B.A. of Chattanooga Outreach, Inc.) is now serving homeless men at its new home at 1512 South Holtzclaw Avenue in Chattanooga. Executive Director Jon Rector said, "The former Senter School is a great location near I-24 and close to other homeless service providers such as the Community Kitchen and The Salvation Army."
The Salvation Army's day center at 800 McCallie Avenue served as the temporary home for the Union Gospel Mission when the Mission was unable to secure a new location after the Market Street building that served as its long-time headquarters was sold. The Salvation Army provided the facilities and food for the Union Gospel Mission's residential and transient clients for more than thirty days at no cost to the Mission.
"It was a great opportunity to partner with another ministry in town that does the same kind of work we do," said Mr. Rector. "We felt welcome and very comfortable at the Salvation Army, and we look forward to working with them again in the future." The Salvation Army agrees. Major Jim Lawrence, Area Commander of the Salvation Army states, "We were happy to assist the Union Gospel Mission and share our facilities, together we are 'doing the most good' by showing the love of Christ and meeting needs in His name."
The Union Gospel Mission was founded by the Highland Park Baptist Church in 1950 with a goal of "meeting needs, making changes and magnifying Christ" in the lives of homeless men in Chattanooga. It is now an independent agency that offers emergency shelter and meals, a recovery program and transitional housing. There are currently twenty-two men in the residential recovery program, but the Mission currently serves a total of forty to sixty clients a day. 125 to 130 meals are provided daily.
As the Union Gospel Mission settles into its new home, Executive Director Jon Rector said volunteer plumbers, carpenters and other professionals are needed to complete repairs and set-up of the facility. Reverend Rector said canned goods, nonperishable foods, personal items and financial contributions are also needed.
To volunteer or make contributions, contact Jon Rector at the Union Gospel Mission, 1512 Holtzclaw Avenue, or call 423-752-4998.
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