City Union Mission

The new incentives added for clients in the Community New Life Program have boosted the number of lives being change from 9-12 ladies enrolled to an average of 40 in the program! The ladies in this program have expressed that recognition of improvement and growth has inspired them to focus more on setting goals and attaining achievements. We have had eight graduations, with several becoming committed volunteers.In April 2016, the Community New Life Program was modified to offer more incentives. At that time we started to reward points for activities that show they are living life well or taking growth steps, like job skills training, church attendance, meal planning and healthy lifestyles. These earned points can be cashed in for things like hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and extra vouchers for clothing and housewares. As they work through the program curriculum, the rewards get bigger: bus passes, grocery store gift cards and utility assistance. In 2017, Emergency Assistance provided 7,891 meals and 59,674 items of clothing. The objective of the Emergency Assistance program is to reach out to those who are "at risk" of becoming homeless. Relief efforts include the distribution of food, clothing, school supplies, household items, utility assistance, case management, help finding affordable housing, and Life Skills classes.

The Family Shelter at City Union Mission is a haven for families and single women. There are many conditions that cause families to become homeless, including financial setbacks, addiction, family violence and mental illness. The Family Shelter provides homeless families a safe place to stay, nutritious meals, spiritual counsel and case management to address and help resolve some of the issues they face.Programs and services include shelter, food, case management, counseling, and LifeSkill classes such as Budget, Dealing with Feelings, Conflict Management, etc.  Participants can be on the program as long as needed and staff identify that workable progress is being made.  After-school programs and day care needs of clients are provided.  Health screening services are also provided.

Each day, dozens of homeless men come to the City Union Mission Men's Center for clothing, food and a temporary refuge from life on the streets. Here they find people who care about them, who listen to them and work with them to meet their physical and spiritual needs.

Programs and services include shelter, food, case management, counseling, and LifeSkill classes such as Budget, Dealing with Feelings, Conflict Management, and other strategies targeted to break the cycle of becoming homeless.  Participants can be on the program as long as needed and staff identify that workable progress is being made.  After-school programs and day care needs of clients are provided.  Health screening services are also provided.

Families and single women at the Mission's Family Shelter can enter the four- to eight-month New Life Program that offers rehabilitation to whole families. Members attend Bible study, local churches and have regular counseling sessions. Life Skills courses guide each person toward a healthier lifestyle. Families live in the shelter while parents and children alike stabilize and prepare to move into permanent housing.

Provides basic life necessities and instruction through practical Life Skills Courses, counseling, mentors, recovery groups, spiritual and academic development, job assignments and readiness courses, monitored home and financial management and church involvement.
 A new component is that now staff from Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health each week assess clients in the New Life Program, evaluating for mental health issues.

This long-term program is available to men who have responded to the gospel and want to grow as Christians and as responsible members of the community. Daily Bible classes, individual and group counseling, drug and alcohol recovery, job assignments and life skills courses are required. Attendance at area churches and opportunities for further education make up this comprehensive one-year program. The Christian Life Program is also available at Opportunity Farm, an extension of City Union Mission, which is located in the Ozarks near Warsaw, Missouri.

Provides basic life necessities and instruction through practical Life Skills Courses, counseling, mentors, recovery groups, spiritual and academic development, job assignments and readiness courses, monitored home and church involvement.
 A new component is that now staff from Truman Medical Center Behavioral Health each week assess clients in the New Life Program, evaluating for mental health issues.

In School Year 2016-17, the City Corps program of the Vanderberg Youth Center provided more than 1,466 hours of tutoring sessions to at-risk children. Reason for decline - more opportunities offered by the schools, and a Jr. High group that could not continue to participate due to their interest in playing school sports.  Children, ages 7 to 17, participate each week in Bible study, organized play, crafts, drama and homework tutoring at the Vanderberg Youth Center (VYC). Opportunities for growth abound as boys and girls learn through Life Skills classes, computer training, cooking and sewing classes, woodworking class, field trips, mission trips and other activities. The youth center staff and volunteers act as role models to the children who attend, helping them to develop responsible and godly attitudes toward themselves, their families and the community. Children living at the Family Shelter also participate in VYC activities.Provides recreation, academic and spiritual education, and entertainment for youth in the shelter and in the community in an after school program.