Union Gospel Mission of Salem Review

[Updated November 29, 2017]
On a recent visit I observed that some of the UGM policies that seemed designed to make things harder on the guests (without any other clear purpose) have now been changed.
One huge example is that their day-room now is open to guests during the day. This allows people a place to come in out of the rain without the fear of being told that they are not welcome. This is a big improvement how they were making people sit out in the rain (as was done last winter). The leadership at the UGM should be applauded for taking the time to reconsider a poorly thought out policy. Very little says I Love You in the middle of an Oregon winter like inviting someone to come inside and get dry when they've got nowhere else to go.
Also, there has been some improvement in the nutritional value of the meals served.
I also stayed for dinner there, and noted that it was a nice healthy combination of foods. Turkey, stuffing, vegetables, roll and small pie. Since I was there the day after Thanksgiving this is exactly what you'd expect. The tables, plates, etc. were all clean, and the guests who were volunteering were kind and helpful. The kitchen staff was also seen interacting with the guests, making sure that everything was okay with the meal.
Since it was dinner time, the building was full and bustling with activity and conversations. In spite of this the atmosphere inside was calm, safe and relaxing.
There were very few negative things to note on this visit. And most were from things outside of the Mission's control.
The sidewalk outside of the UGM was unusable due to how many people that were literally just camped out there. I've never seen it this way before, so I could not say if this was a one time occurrence or not. But I was required to leave the sidewalk and walk out into the traffic lane on Commercial Street to reach the entrance. Over 35 feet of the sidewalk was a solid conglomerate of people and possessions that were pressed tightly up against each other that the wind could not have passed between them.
Again, this is not a complaint upon the UGM, just an observation about how great the homeless needs are in Salem.
The other negative observation that I had during this visit had to do with how the building needs so many repairs. There were some things that were clear safety issues that needed to be taken care of.
But for tonight I want to focus on their improvements, and say Kudos to the UGM leadership. There are many improvements that have been made in the last 9 months. Keep up the good work!
If you are man in need of a place to stay, receive a hot meal, or just to take a shower the UGM is likely the best option that you have. And while you are there, check out one of their Bible Studies in the morning, or Chapel at night. These can be very inspirational.

Very helpful as in the most helpful store cuz prices make it easy to afford necessities for everybody!!!

The New Life Fellowship program has changed my life.

We take all of our clothes there. God willing the needy will benefit. It's an awesome feeling to help others at no cost

The staff is very rude, they dont allow my daughter and wife in. Its only men. And you get no privacy at all. More like a prison than a shetler if you ask me...

1.)Had a hard time with the lack of movement that the chapels spiritual Ora left me with. the enviroment left me filling unmotivate to attend regularely. 2.) I also from time to time had a frustratingly negative attitude from staff members working with me. When it came to completing my chore (A mandatory task given to finish as a re quirement to stay there). As I ran into hostility from curtain overhead piers when schedualling. The best time that coordinated effective with my part time Employers work schedule. 3.) Too much difficulty receiving truthful direction towards meeting some of the most important personal business apointments. That were a self-requirement in figuring out what I definitely needed to know, as well as needing to get accomplished. As I first became homeless. In a city I hardly even know my since of direction yet (addresses/resources and such). 4.) I can say they do recieve some quality volunteer out reach events threw its citizens around Salem . With taking the time out to care about the less fortunates basic needs. As everyone Who is homeless inside this community struggles to rebuild a stronger financial circumstance. When they get into a more stabble living situation. 5.) However, their location is too close to the most unproductive, unmotivated group of homeless individuals. Who are complettely corrupted by the most wicked way of thinking. Which from my perspective leads to a lack of enough disapline to accomplish a more successful life in the future. 6.) So my final conclusion leads me to believe that this shelter is not the best fit to rebuild my future to its highest potential.

Serves three meals a day and offers showers and beds at night for anyone who needs a helping hand. Also offers a fifteen- to eighteen-month recovery program for the homeless and addicted with nowhere else to turn, all for free!

Not a bad place as far as missions go. Polite staff, decent food, good chapel services. But the guests can sometimes be a bit overwhelming.

Was helping a needy person. Asked questions of 3 different staff people, & got 3 different answers.
There is NO HANDOUT pamphlet for new arrivals or people who are even staying there. Often times people don't know they broken the rule or rules until after the fact. There is one sheet of paper that people can read and it is inconclusive in terms of do's and don'ts. What a terrible life.

Okay if you're just going to come in for a shower or stay one night horrible if you need a place to stay for a long-term the programmer steal from you is so two other people she staying there just horrible horrible horrible needs new people to run it.

The UGM has always been a home away from home for me and the staff are very kind and very patient with the residents here. The LORD JESUS is doing work in this place no matter what it may appear on the outside. May HIS Blessings continue to be on the UNION GOSPEL MISSION of Salem Oregon.

UGM has many passionate staff and volunteers that help those in need. They provide food, clothing, shelter and access to personal hygiene products. There is also a learning center, and help with money management. UGM is about life change through the support of volunteers/donors and the blessings of God.

Be warned women are not allowed to use the bathroom. I get that it has a mens shelter. But to tell anyone who has physical disabilities they can go elsewhere because of their sex is just rude.

Staff, don't joke about cameras and talk respectful.

I love every time I'm at the UGM of Salem the staff are amazing and the work there doing there is eternal I love all the fellas down there that call the UGM there home so thankful God is so AMAZING

It's 3 hots, a cot, a shower, and a clothing voucher once a month. But don't expect anymore than that. They don't offer anything in the way of assistance for getting you off of the streets (aside from the long "program" they have to sober people up) but they do expect you to be applying for work 6+ times a week should you decide to stay there as a guest, which is reasonable. And yes, they do seem to enable the drunks and junkies by allowing most of them back every single night, no matter what their condition is or the problems they may have caused in the past (though they do ban people who have gotten too violent), and allowing everyone to sit around watching TV and movies all day. If you do decide to stay there for any extended period of time, prepare for nightly visits from the local PD, fire department, and EMTs, a barely tolerable amount of testosterone driven high school level drama, and a chance of getting your possessions stolen should you be one of the ones stuck with an overflow mat in the main room. I'm grateful for the services they provide, I'd be much worse off at the moment if it weren't for them, but I feel it's overall ineffective in actually helping most of the people there better themselves and move on and I'm usually left with the feeling that a lot of the staff couldn't care less about the people staying at the UGM of Salem.

A guy's gotta eat, right?
What i ordered was dinner "for here".
Not sure what it was, but my compliments to the dishwasher!

Very nice people, lots of exposure to different denominations, and generally a safe place to be in the city. I'm still here and more than just comfortable.

These people literally, and metaphorically do God's work. Thank you for helping make our world a nicer place to live.

God bless you all.

Respectfully,

M

Come here for a monthly community meeting. Love all the info I get to provide to my clients that need help.

They try and help everybody and most of the worker's are nices and willing to answer questions and help if they can

I have known people who work the for many years.i myself have stayed there at one time.most of the people that work the are on a program,and homeless themselves.its a good place,it's your choice if you stay there.just what are you expecting,I don't know,it's a men's homeless shelter.i read these posts of people whining,about the place.hey,they did not make you homeless.there only there tohelp.so get a grip,quit complaining,and try to help yourself.

Before you donate to the ugm of Salem
THINK ABOUT THIS
You are not helping the homeless in anyway at all
Because at this place there is no working people
People that live there collect ssdi and ssi
And they have been living there for years because it free why pay for housing
When you can collect monthly payments and piss it away every month
On drugs and alcohol
The ugm allows this to happen monthly
If you receive monthly payments you are not homeless but why pay
When places like the ugm
Cater to these people
Donate here to help the homeless they ask us
But they are not homeless
They choose to be that way
Staff is very caring for there weekly pay checks
I know all this because I was homeless without a income and stayed there
I Did not receive any help form this place
I got off my behind and found a job
Donate here to help homeless people what a joke places like this place
Make millions off other people sarow
Like goodwill your free donations made him millions
Great place to find drugs and petafiles place is full of bouth

Terrible place if you are smart don't go there. The staff is rude, people have a sickness the flu or Etc the food is not so good and I guarantee you you can find just about everything under the sun there for as drugs Etc.and much more .they are getting a new building. It will be the same thing allover again.

Not enough parking! Over zealous early sobriety" controlling and down right sloppy looking

These guys do a good job and are a worthy organization to donate your time and money. My church and family support these guys and what they are trying to do.

Call to confirm availability. I was told I must be in this county for a month to be able to stay here. Even though I was already employed when I came into their office.

I thought it was a great place to be helping those who who so need help. We had some food to offer and everyone was helpful and sweet. It wad easy to donate and get back on the way home. I was so happy to be able to see how easy it is to do ate and help.

It's been my opinion that UGM in Salem, Ore.is varying from its objectives to help people in need! I've only be here 10 days and the folks in charge seem to want me to leave here by the 5th of July. I have a goal to reach: "my own place". I can achieve this by staying here until the 23rd of July so when the 1st of August comes around my newly acquired credit line will be paid off, which in turn will give me my disability check free from any debt. Oh, "the powers that be"..!

Was told by a person there on the phone not to bother to come from Albuquerque NM, Where I was a volunteer and Resident at Steelbridge Ministry I am a trained Aois Chef and wanted to volunteer as as God has called me to this area to serve. This gentleman was not interested any anything I had to say or ask as someone in the background there was joking a and laughing. It hurt a to see and hear this. But I quests they are not mented for me to help yet

If i could give this place zero stars i would. When a person is feeling down and already struggling with certain issues why is it that others feel the need to kick them in the head and make them feel worse than they already do? It's like wiping before you poop. It don't make any sense.

Phone system will not let me through to a receptionist/live person without having an existing phone number on UGM's file. I tried to eat at Simonka but they said sack only, so I don't know if I can go in UGM for a hot meal on Sunday. Wanted to save gas and call but didn't help at all.

Most of the staff are real nice, respectful, and helpful. One guy gave me HIS hoodie to help me stay warm and a blankey. Most the guys treat me with respect and joke around and talk with me at meal time. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7days a week, they are the only place for the homeless to eat on the weekends.

One staff member wouldnt let me use the bathroom, even though i was doing the pee-pee dance. I had to run to the river front park to go potty because it was early morning so that was the closest toilet, it was a port-a-potty.

I went in to have lunch. Had the jello for my liquid diet...everyone was super nice and helpful! Thanks guys!

Just from the details left on google i wouldnt want to go here. There is no information as to what they do who they accept and anything in general as to help a person who is in need or anyone who would want to help someone. You leave a number .....wow

Dont forget the bed bugs there are plenty of those to go around for everyone there and they do not seem that concerned about it. To me it seems like it would be a health concern.

These people seem very dedicated to helping the hurting of Salem. I spoke with Moises who shared with me how they care for those who come through their doors every day of the year.

1.tales lander room
2.day room tables
3.wash windows
4.fold blanket make bed
5.shower on time
mail evolve postal moved to direct area phone call vital recareds obpcs aplcation compltion

Great place to not just be employed, but to see change in people's lives!

May you be blessed. Hopefully you won't be assaulted inside.
But there's also a working payphone. Bring quarters.

We hired two men to come and help us move and it was wonderful they did a great job.

Mold in the building very unsatisfied dirty rude staff and just all together mean.

Associates were very helpful. Needed a place to stay short term. A Covid test is required before entry, which they administer on site with a 15 minute result time. I was blessed with a place to stay in the area where I'm at, so I didn't require their services after all. But they were willing to help if I needed it, and that's a blessing in itself. Thank you.

It's one of the Best Christian Based Programs in Oregon does a lot for the Guy's here

Place serves dinner at 5:30 so I tried it out w a friend . Alot of people and for most part its a decent setting. It's kinda strange at first but not bad. It is a men's homeless shelter and kitchen. When meals are served, women and children are allowed to participate whether they come alone or with a resident staying there it doesn't matter.

Worst place to stay for men as a homeless man as a hmen homeless shelter in Salem Oregon

Very caring and focused to help the homeless and mentally ill.

The Union Gospel Mission of Salem is very great there is even a program there fore men that are willing to change there old life's around fore the better because I am right now my old life was not working out so I joined the New Life Fellowship Program an let me just say this people fore me an my heavenly Father it has been the every best thing I have ever done in my hole life I really want to be that better man that better husband that better father so if you ever see just ask me more about it an i would be very much proud to tell you just how much this program really dose mean to me amen

This place is horrible any one who has a job and is homeless the hassle and kick out any time they want. The food is bad an I always had bad bms when I ate there. Everyone who works there automatically assumes your a pedifile or just got out of jail or running from the law so they treat everyone the same, like there useless trash in the community.

Looking for the most precious relative in this World.

very friendly staff, my company donated milk and produce...

The staff here don't seem to like anyone especially the people who need there help the most. They are not Christians and only sat they are for tax purposes. Sadly if you need help you have no choice but to be here anyways.

When it comes to helping people, they are transphobic,homophobic and very judgemental simply because they can. If anyone think that is OK to mistreat people because that is what jesus taught.they don't know jesus as they profess.plus if you store your belongings in their luggage storage make sure you don't have any electronics i.e cell phones,dvd players,tablets,etc.the program members will STEAL!!!! You will lose everything that is of value. I know this for a fact,plus beware of possible food poisoning,I was sicker than a dog years ago because of it.Are they truly Christ like? Check your bibles and you will see for yourself.

It is all how you really want to look at it ok just better your self to get back up on your feet

Spent a year and a half there in the new life fellowship program. They can help you if you let them. I benefited greatly from their help and services

A once great and helpful place is now unable to help a lot of people . They have had restrictions put on them from fire Dept and I believe some funding lost .