Programs
Offering Help and Hope in Jesus’ Name
Our Vision
Our vision is to provide practical application of the Gospel to help those we serve experience real and lasting life-change. Our purpose is to transform the hurting and homeless in Fairmont, WV and surrounding communities. We do that by building up and offering real and practical ways for those we serve to grow and live a better life – a life for which they were created.
Meals Program
Men & Women
There is a reason why Jesus is called the Bread of Life. Food and life are inextricably tied – so is Jesus and life. We are providing life for those who cannot get it elsewhere by feeding any and all who come to our dining facility. On average we serve 36,000 meals to our guests at Union Rescue Mission per year. These are meals that nourished bodies and spirits in the name of Christ. We believe that life-change starts with meeting physical needs – and that love and care are echoed each time we serve a hurting person a meal.
Genesis Recovery
Men & Women
The Genesis Program is for addiction or life-dominating problems. Genesis is an opportunity to experience life-change in a spiritual atmosphere where Jesus Christ is the center. We offer hope. This program consists of a minimum of 6 months of study and instruction before the work component begins. The recovery program is goal oriented, not time oriented. The most important part of this recovery program is to ensure that changes in lifestyle take hold and are sustained.
“I think we should pray before we talk about anything else,” one of the female Genesis program participants stated while gently patting the arm of the woman beside her who had been crying during class. “Would you lead us in prayer?” the instructor asked. “Me?” She responded astonished. “Why I would love to!” She did. Throughout the prayer she was grateful for the Mission and for all the women that surrounded her. Then, however, she prayed something that brought tears to the instructor’s eyes. “Oh Lord, I love this place. I cannot express how much I have learned in just my short time here. But most importantly, I thank you for showing me how to truly love people in a way that I have never known in my entire life.”
Step T.W.O.
Men & Women
Step Two is where we help transition parolees and the less troubled or non-addicted people. We provide an avenue for people to transition their circumstances into hope. We have housed people for educational reasons and, at times temporarily, while they are saving for an initial down-payment toward expenses associated with moving out of the Mission to a place of their own. While they are in this program, they are required to save at least 65% of their income toward future housing costs. An additional objective is to help them become debt-free during this process.
Crossroads
Men & Women
The Crossroads program offers safety, temporary respite, and an opportunity to choose deeper recovery for those who need distance from negative influences in their lives. Substance abuse, violence, and other poor decisions are often the result of peer pressure. Providing insulation from these forces offers the opportunity for good decisions and life-change to begin and grow. We could help many on the road to recovery if our resources increased. Your gift to the Mission can help strengthen and grow this program and enable us to rescue others. Our Crossroads program offers three paths for residents of this program to choose. The program paths are housing, education, or employment.
One of our male Service Coordinators sat with one of the Crossroads men. Several years ago this man stayed with us for a short time. He noted the physical improvements and could not say enough about the meals. He stated to the Service Coordinator “I feel cared for at the Mission.”
Family Shelter
Single Parent Families
Our Single Parent Shelter helps a parent provide the essentials of life on behalf of their children. We are aware a parent may be homeless through no fault of their own and with the additional concern for the safety and well-being of their dependents the Single Parent Shelter exist as a safe and nurturing haven where they are cared for as they move to their next step of independence.
A distraught mother entered our facility and sought shelter with us. In pursuing her story we discovered that part of her problem was that she had been separated from her children. As we continued to house her we also intervened in her situation as we could. Within a few weeks her children were back with her. This distraught mother became a very attentive mother. Her children return from school daily all smiles and excited to be home.
Les Brooks Career Education Center
Men & Women
The Learning Center is an important component in the steps to becoming independent. We offer GED equivalency preparation. Many of our guests have experienced growth and accomplishments through training and experience in this Center. The Learning Center also helps sharpen skills dulled by addiction and homelessness. Keeping this program updated and running strong will make a huge impact on preparing and supporting life-change and opportunity.
Celebrate Recovery
Men & Women
Celebrate Recovery meets weekly in our facility’s auditorium. It is an opportunity for those who are recovering to share testimony, to be encouraged, experience support, and to witness about God’s healing power to those around them. We encourage those in our community of support to join us to get a first-hand look at how absolutely important our programs are to life-change.
Renters
Men Only
The Renters Program houses men who would not succeed in other housing programs. One of the renters has lived at the mission for 12 years. Renters have a source of income and rent includes a private room, 3 meals a day, laundry facilities, utilities, and shared bath facilities. In some situations there are those that will not fit into our other programs are unable to afford their rent.
One of the renters has moved in and out repeatedly. Over time he has become stable and has now maintained his residence with us for an extended period. Circumstances prohibit him from living without oversight. He is stable secure, and thrives because of the caring Mission staff.
Penny Pincher Thrift Store
The Penny Pincher Thrift Store is located at 113 Fairmont Avenue and it serves as a deep discount outlet for items ranging from clothing to household goods. We accept donated items to give to fire victims, Mission residents, and people in need. Our Thrift Store also serves to help offset some costs of operating Union Rescue Mission. We continuously endeavor to make this a much more inviting location for those we serve and a more attractive downtown business partner for our community.