The Mission Message

Inside This Issue: Volunteer Spotlight, A Word from Skip, Clinic Updates, Holiday Highlights

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away, the new has come . . .” 2 Cor. 5:17

Olympia Union Gospel Mission , PO Box 7668 Olympia, WA 98507-7668, 360.709.9725, ougm.org

February 2011

Education Helps GA Women Prepare for the Future

Genesis Acres resident SusanHaagenson is taking her college classes online so she can attend to son Jame’s needs when he’s home.

Susan and James enjoy spending time together feeding their fish and playing games.

One of the biggest barriers to employment for women graduating from OUGM’s Life Transformation Programs is lack of education or vocational training. Many did not graduate high school, while others have no formal education beyond highschool, or started and did not complete college. Women’s program mem-ber Susan Haggenson is one who has some college, but still lacks a degree. As Susan nears graduation from the Mission’s program in June, her goal is to gain employment as a computer technician or programmer. To reach this goal, she knows she must complete her degree and is enrolling in community college classes through Grays Harbor Community College. For now, she will take classes online so she can care for her son when he’s not in school, but in the Fall, she plans to travel to campus for classes not available online. This is a big step for Susan, whose addictions and history of domestic violence and abuse caused her not to trust people. “Since I’ve turned my life over to Christ, things are better. I want to have a home and car; live a normal life. I don’t want to be where I am now in 20 years. I want stabilty, and now I know I don’t have to worry through life because God will take care of me,” said Susan.

Part of her newstart in life was realizing she has a talent for computers.

“Marla and the girls at Genesis Acres always ask me for help fixing computers because I know what I’m doing, even though I don’t have a piece of paper to prove it”, she said.

Going back to school for that piece of paper will allow Susan to work in a field she enjoys. Women’s Program Director Marla Root says that she encourages all of the women interested in education to go to college. “In the world today, you need an education to build a solid foundation for yourself and your family,” said Marla. She adds that education is also a confidence booster for women in recovery. “Jennifer, another woman in our program, took the English portion of her college entrance exams and got the highest scores possible. This changed her whole outlook on life, and her opinion of herself,” Marla said. She added that education helps the women feel valuable and enables them to reach their goals in life, as well as set a good example for their children. “It gives them hope and changes the future for their children.” See how you can help meet their needs on page 3. Learn more about the women’s program on our website at ougm.org.

Loren “Skip” Steffen-Executive Directorskipsteffen@comcast.net(360) 709-9725, ext. 101

Lori Vandervate-Office/Data Base Managerlori@ougm.org(360) 709-9725, ext. 102

Tim Langan-Director of Facilities /Discipleshiptim@ougm.org(360) 709-9725, ext. 103

Peggy Langan-Director of Men’s Recoverypeggy@ougm.org(360) 709-9725, ext. 103

Marla Root-Director of Women’s Recoverymarla@ougm.org(360) 754-9351

Virginia Schnabel-Director of Developmentvirginia@ougm.org(360) 709-9725, ext. 116

Krina Allison-Development Assistantkrina@ougm.org(360) 709-9725, ext. 118

Linda Barrett-Dental Clinic Managerougm@reachone.com(360) 943-6400, ext. 100

Shelley Case-TCDAN Coordinator(360) 709-9725shelley@ougm.org, ext. 117

Jerome Jaeger-Day Room Supervisorjerome@ougm.org(360) 709-9725

Violet Hofman-Volunteers/Vision Clinic Managerviolet@ougm.org(360) 709-9725, ext. 104

Marissa Altimarino -Medical Clinic Managermedical@ougm.org(360) 357-6505

Dental Line(360) 943-6400

Medical Line(360) 357-6505

A Word From Skip . . .

Contact Us

At this time of year, I cannot help looking back over the past year and all that God has done with, and for the Mission. Sentinel events are:

a) Completing the purchase of the adjacent property from the Union Pacific Railroad. We all breathed a col-lective sigh of relief when that was completed because now we truly own the environment around the Mission for parking and expansion.

b) The vision and medical clinics join the dental clinic in being firmly rooted in Mission operations and growing. That is both a good and bad thing in that now we must fund the growth. But it all came at the right time given Washington State’s devastating cuts to health care for the low income and uninsured.

c) Five years of thought, prayer and research culminated with floor plans and a rendering for a building to be constructed on the current campus to create a facility to vastly improve and expand Life Transformation programs for men, women and children.

As I look out on 2011, I see the hard work of raising five million dollars to complete the project. None of us have ever been involved in a fund raising project of this magnitude. To say we are “nervous” would be an under-statement. So this is a time of trusting that God did not let us get this far if it was not His plan to build, and look-ing to Him for wisdom and guidance. Please pray for both the Board and Staff as we start this journey. And OK, I’ll admit it-I wish I had won that Mega Millions prize and could just start building tomorrow, but that does not seem to be the way God works at OUGM-we do it the hard way and learn as we go. On behalf of the clients, patients, Board members and staff, I wish you a 2011 in which we will see God do great things in all of our lives, and at the Mission.

God bless you all!Sincerely,

Office Hours: M-F, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.Clothing donations are accepted

M-F, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Hot Meals, M-F, 6 a.m., Noon, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday Brunch, 10 a.m. to Noon

Sunday, 7:30 a.m. to NoonNew Freedom Church, 9 a.m.

Hot Showers & Laundry1:30 to 4:30 p.m., M-F

Mission Phone (360) 709-9725Mission Fax (360) 570-8848Dental Line (360) 943-6400Medical Line (360) 357-6505

*All dental e-mails should go to ougm@reachone.com

Tours of the Mission are offered by appointment.

Call 709-9725 to schedule.

Dental: good quality, soft toothbrushes

Men’s & Women’s Life Transformation Programs:school supplies transportationspiral notebooks tutorsbinders/folders financial aid for tuitionbook bags baby sittersstudy Bibles (NIV)bath towelsdeodorantrazorsshaving cream (men/women style)shower shoesdaily devotionalsbath robes

Men and women usually come into our programs with nothing and need to start over. They attend courses, some attend school, and all attend church. These supplies help ensure they will be able to com-plete their programs and attend school.

Street Ministry: white crew socks, women’s hair brushes, coats, gloves, boxer style men’s underwear (new), Q-tips

Current Mission Needs

Upcoming Mission Events

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, June 4th and plan to attend the Mission’s annual spring celebration dinner. This year’s entertainment will feature the talents of a professional jazz ensemble and vocalist performing Dixieland Jazz and gospel style music. In addition, graduates from our men’s and women’s life transformation programs will be honored.

Saturday, June 4th6 p.m.

Saint Martin’s UniversityTickets are $40

Watch ougm.org for updates.

Kitchen Needs:Fresh meat

Dairy products#10 cans of fruits and veggies

Volunteer teamsPlease Contact Cody at 360-709-9725 for more information.

Mission Information

Johnny Lewis Band is sponsoring a dinner dance to benefit the Mission. Friday, March 18th, at Harmony Hall in Lacey. Call Virginia at 709-9725 for details. Tickets are $40 and include a meal provided by Pellegrino’s Italian Restaurant.

Olympia Union Gospel MissionHealth Resource Center News

“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, be open handed toward yourbrothers, and toward the poor in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:11

Clinic Stats

King 5 News visited the Mission in December to film a segment about the No-fee Dental Clinic and the part the clinic plays in helping to provide care for impoverished and uninsured individuals in Thurston County. Clinic Manager Linda Barrett gave the King 5 Team an overview of the clinic and let them follow her around to see how things work. You can view the story on the dental page of our website at ougm.org.

A New A-dec 300 Dental Delivery System, donated by the manufacturer, was installed in November. It replaced an antiquated dental hygiene unit that was wearing out.

Family owned dental supply company A-dec recently donated a brand new A-dec 300 Dental Delivery System to the Mission’s No-Fee Dental Clinic. A-dec’s donation came in response to a request from dental clinic manager, Linda Barrett, who has worked with other A-dec products and appreciates their superior quality and family minded business practices. The company was founded in 1964 with a vision to champion initiative, integrity, open communication and service to the greater community. Headquartered in Newberg,Oregon, the company is now international; however 80% of parts for the company’s products are manufactured on site in Newberg. Clinic volunteer Dr. Kyle Winter visited the plant in Newberg and was impressed with the company’s focus on quality. “A-dec makes sure that all of their products have customer and engineering support indefinately so you never have to worry about one of their products being abandoned or becoming obsolete,” said Dr. Winter. A-dec’s donation replaced an antiquated delivery system and has been in steady use since its installation. Mission staff and volunteers are grateful for A-dec’s support and wish the company well as they continue to serve the dental community around the world. If you are a dentist, hygienist, dental as-sistant, or dental supplier and would like to know how you can help our clinic, please contact Linda Barrett at 360-943-6400, or by email at ougm@reachone.com

2009-2010 Mission StatisticsMeals Served: 61,717Dental Visits: 2,448Acute Visits: 2,155Restorative: 137Hygiene: 145Extractions: 1, 782Medical: 397Bed Nights: 7, 665Vision Visits: 402Chapel Services: 30,291Bible Studies: 5,862Counseling: 822Return Visits: 285

Vision Clinic Update

In December, Dr. Brian Koning lunched with Executive Director, Loren “Skip” Steffen, and Vision Clinic Manager, Violet Hofman. He was presented with a plaque acknowledging his service to OUGM’s No-fee Vision Clinic and thanked by Skip and Violet for all of his hard work on behalf of OUGM. Dr. Koning relocated to Bellingham, WA, where he began working at a new practice in January. He founded the clinic at the Mission in 2008 and was instrumental in establishing a network of vol-unteer professionals, and in securing finances and equipment needed to open the clinic. Violet and OUGM staff will greatly miss Brian’s infectious enthusiasm and smile. We thank him for all he has done for OUGM and wish him well in his new location.

Dr. Koning Moves to Bellingham

In December, vision patient Justine Pearson received her first ever pair of glasses, thanks to the Mission’s No-fee Vision Clinic and the Olympia Lion’s Club, which helps support the clinic. Justine is a Missionary to Africa and was on leave here in Olympia when she learned about our Life Transformation programs and began hosting a Bible study for the women at Genesis Acres. While volunteering, she heard about our vision clinic, made an appointment for a screening and found she qualified for an exam. At her exam, she learned that her frequent headaches were caused by a loss of perfect vision, which she attributes to her life in Africa. “There isn’t much electric light where I’m serving in Africa, so I spend a lot of time reading by candlelight,” said Justine. Her trip home to Olympia was unexpected, but she is grateful she found the Mission. “I feel so blessed to have been able to utilize the Mission’s vision program. I believe God brought me here for a reason,” she said. Justine headed back to Africa last month, but not before sharing a few moments of thanks with Mission staff. You can view her vision testimony online at ougm.org, on the About Us page under vision.

Meet Vision Patient Justine Pearson

Vision Clinic Manager Violet Hofmanannounced that the clinic picked up two new

doctors in December. Dr. Samantha Hamblet of Vision Health and Dr. Van B. Ly of Van Vision. “We lost Dr. Koning, but God supplied replacements,” said Violet. The clinic currently has 14 volunteers, but is always looking for more. Contact Violet Hofman at 360-709-9725, or violet@ougm.org for information.

First kiss as man and wife!

Volunteer Spotlight Volunteers from Mars Hill Church have taken on the task of helping to clean, repaint and do small repairs on the trailer homes at Genesis Acres. Because the trailers are consistently occupied, performing maintenance is a difficult task and must be squeezed in between tenants. With no regular mainte-nance team on staff, the Mission relies on volunteer teams from churches and the community to help keep the trailers livable. Mars Hill member Ed Jones is coordinating his church’s efforts through Mars Hill’s home fellowship groups. They held their first work day at Genesis Acres in December, and will continue as resources allow. Mission Chaplain Tim Langan is currently in the process of detailing maintenance needs for each trailer and hopes to have a list completed this month. The trailers have aged to the point that some remodeling is necessary, including new kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets and fixtures and outside repairs. If you have a church or volunteer group that would like to join in efforts to refurbish the trailers, please contact Tim Langan at 360-709-9725.

Mission Chaplain Tim Langan received his first opportunity to preside over a wedding ceremony on November 19, 2010, when program graduate Eugene Brown was united in marriage to Robyn Rodgers. The couple surprised Mission staff by announcing their impending ceremony that morning, which took place in the Mission’s overflow room.

A Mission Wedding!

On behalf of the staff, guests, and volunteers of the Olympia Union Gospel Mission, thank you to all who donated time, finances, gifts and food to the Mission over the holidays. Your generosity made both Thanksgiving and Christmas special for everyone and we are so grateful for the joy you show in giving. May God abundantly bless you and yours in 2011!

Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDOlympia, WA

Permit No. 624

DonorRoland & Mary Ann BarnesRoland & Mary Ann BarnesRoland & Mary Ann BarnesRoland & Mary Ann BarnesPaul & Ketta SedlerDaniel SmithMaria Zollo-Klaas for Randy & Janet JonesJohn & Margaret CrawfordKyle & Marci NaismithRussell & Jody Lea LobeHilmar KuebelHilmar KuebelKaren BatesMichael & Nancy Evans

DonorEast Olympia Community Church Charles TibbitsRussell & Gertrude ArgentLorraine SwartlingDennis CochranHaryy & Margit StakkestadJoseph & Marilyn SextonThomas & Laura ParshallGerry KunkelAnonymous

In Honor ofMr. & Mrs. St. Jon SimpsonDr. David PrinceMr. & Mrs. Wendell JonesMs. Judith BarnesTrevor, Shawn, Courtenay, Bethany & TonyBill & Barbara WymanBryonGail TallmanNate NaismithNancy EkstromKen & Sandra LeeHelen KuebelRick & Jan BatesDon Kohse

In Memory ofFloyd ConwayJack TibbitsLarry DoveBen TurnerEileen CochranWilliam “Bill” HuberWilliam “Bill” HuberWilliam “Bill” HuberJane ManzerAndrew Forsberg

Thank You for Giving in Honor of Loved Ones!

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; Psalm 24:1