Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County

Program: Healing Shepherd Clinic

Program Description:

  A study done by University of North Texas’ School of Public Health, as well as a  Star-Telegram news series, brought to light the desperate situation faced by the homeless in our community who are without access to rudimentary health care. Too many of them are women and children.

Union Gospel Mission’s Healing Shepherd Clinic opened in late 2008 to provide free primary medical and preventive services to the residents and guests of Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County. Following the model of Volunteers In Medicine, an international organization dedicated to providing health care for all people, Healing Shepherd Clinic relies on volunteer physicians, nurses, clerical and support staff. 

A specially liscensed Family Practice Nurse Practitioner provides accessible, compassionate care for the Mission’s men, women and children as well as oversees clinic operation. 

Healing Shepherd Clinic provides a needed service to both the homeless population and to the community at large by taking pressure off local emergency rooms which are currently the indigent person’s only option for care; as well as reducing the hospital’s financial burden.

Program Long-Term Success:

Clinic is still in its first year, but local emergency rooms have already noticed a decrease in use by homeless individuals.

Program Short-Term Success:

Union Gospel Mission's residents and guests have access to primary health care

Program Success Monitored by:

Dr. Alan Davenport, Clinic Medical Director, Clinic Board, UGM Board

Program Success Examples:

Resident recently told our nurse practitioner, "You saved my life", when her referral led to quick diagnosis and treatment of life threatening condition.

Program: Family Program

Program Description:

  The Union Gospel Mission Family Center is a 26-room facility designed to meet the needs of homeless women with children. Each mother and their child/children have their own room. An intake assessment is completed on each family group to identify barriers that resulted in homelessness. Based on this assessment a case management plan is developed. Referrals are provided to a variety of programs offered on site as well as in the community. On site agencies include All Church Home for Children Care Program, which provides individual and family counseling, MHMR assessments, and Recovery Resource Council substance abuse assessments. Employment services are offered through Project Wish, a collaboration with Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County.

Residents in the Family Center participate in Stress Management and Parenting classes, Employment Workshops; and ALPHA a spiritual development class, all offered on site. Residents’ school age children participate in the Union Gospel Mission Children’s Enrichment Program, which provides after school tutoring, Rainbow Days Christian based program for children to teach coping skills, and Recovery Resource Council Sunshine Club.

Program Long-Term Success:

Family program graduates go on to independent housing and a productive life in the community.

Program Short-Term Success:

Union Gospel Mission provides safe housing, meals, clothing, counseling, medical care, tutoring and babysitting for single parents with custodial children.  There are 26 private rooms for women with custodial children and 2 rooms for men with custodial children on our gated campus.

Program Success Monitored by:

Program manager, president, board of directors

Program Success Examples:

Program: Senior Women's Program

Program Description:

  McFadden Hall is a unique 16 room long term facility for senior and disabled women. Rather than temporary transitional housing, McFadden residents may stay as long as they can care for themselves. Each woman has a large private room with a semi-private bath. A wide spectrum of help is available through individual case management: schooling – from GED to college courses, counseling, drug and alcohol assessment and treatment, legal advocacy, life skills and anger management classes, tax preparation and help with Social Security and Medicare issues are just a few of the opportunities available for our senior residents.

Volunteer groups bring Bingo, movie nights, teas and social outings on a regular basis. Chapel services and meals in the dining room provide daily contact and social interaction. McFadden Hall addresses the special needs of the aging indigent, providing a haven of safety and security for our senior women.

Program Long-Term Success:

Our senior ladies live with dignity in a safe nurturing environment as long as they can care for themselves.  Should they reach a point where they need more help than our facility can provide, they are helped to find an assisted living facility to continue their care.

Program Short-Term Success:

Union Gospel Mission provides a safe, secure home for at risk elderly women, without a timelimit for residency.

Program Success Monitored by:

Program director, president, board of directors

Program Success Examples:

Our ladies live independent lives with dignity and security.

Program: Men's Program

Program Description:

  An assessment with a case manager is required for entrance into the residence program. The assessment identifies the barriers that led to the individual’s homelessness; and is utilized to develop an individualized case management plan. Participants in both programs are encouraged to avail themselves of the following services offered on site: MHMR – mental health evaluations, Recovery Resource Council- substance abuse assessments, Project Wish- employment workshops and intensive case management for assistance in overcoming employment barriers. Alcoholics’ Anonymous groups, Celebrate Recovery, and Spiritual Development programs are also available.

Many residents are referred to the Tarrant County College learning center to obtain their GED and for educational assessment to enter The Visions Program, which is a partnership with Tarrant County College, Workforce Solutions and Union Gospel Mission. Through the Visions Program, residents attend Tarrant County College and receive supportive services to assist them into transitioning into a college setting.

Program Long-Term Success:

Program graduates go on to productive useful lives in the community.

Program Short-Term Success:

Union Gospel Mission provides safe accomodations including meals, clothing, counseling, education, and job training.

Program Success Monitored by:

Program manager, president, board of directors

Program Success Examples:

Program: Women's Program

Program Description:

  The Women’s Program requires each individual to work out a personal program for change with their case manager. A wide spectrum of help is available: schooling – from GED to college courses, counseling, drug and alcohol assessment and treatment, legal advocacy, life skills and anger management classes are just a few of the opportunities available for our residents.  As participants in Project WISH, a part of the Texas Workforce Commission, many of our residents have found jobs and are on the way to self-sufficiency. Women with children are also provided with parenting classes as well as day care and baby sitting as necessary for their classes, job search and employment.

Program Long-Term Success:

Programn graduates go on to live productive lives in the community.

Program Short-Term Success:

Union Gospel Mission provides safe housing, meals, clothes, counseling, education to provide the means necessary for long term life change.

Program Success Monitored by:

President, program manager, board of directors

Program Success Examples: