“Through partnerships with the Union Gospel Mission and other organizations in our community the Samaritan Center is able to reach and assist more individuals in need,” shared Sharon Smith-Hensley, director of social services at the Samaritan Center.
The Union Gospel Mission is a Christian organization that operates faith-based residential programs with the purpose of helping men who have life-controlling issues find their purpose through a personal relationship with Christ.
The Union Gospel Mission has been serving the Chattanooga and Tri-State community for over 70 years through their three residential programs. Each varies in length from 1-6 months for their transitional housing program, 90-days for their residential program for the formerly incarcerated and a six-month discipleship program.
In March, the Samaritan Center’s Social Services Department partnered with the Union Gospel Mission and created “man crates” to provide the long-term residents, in the six-month program, basic necessary items. Each man crate contains 34 items including household items such as towels, sheets, and a pillow; personal care items such as shampoo, deodorant, and toothpaste; select personal clothing including socks and underwear; and a few miscellaneous items, a notebook, pens and a backpack.
“We are so grateful to the Samaritan Center, partnerships like these are such a blessing and allow our resources to be greatly extended,” shared Reverend Jon Rector, executive director of the Union Gospel Mission.