Union Mission - Savannah, Georgia

Community Education

Community Involvement is a supportive service designed to provide clients and staff with tools that enhance their efforts to prevent and end homelessness. The program offers education on homelessness to the community and manages Union Mission's volunteers and consumer advocates.

2007 Highlights

1,687 individuals donated time to Union Mission for a total of 12,727 hours.
Volunteer Dr. Gerry Kramer, DDS, was awarded the Robert V. Smith Volunteer of the Year Award from the Georgia Coaltion to End Homelessness.
950 people completed Homelessness 101 or Voices of Homelessness training.
Volunteer Sigmund Hudson was recognized for his dedicated service to Union Mission with the Don & Kaye Kole Award for Dedicated Service.
Volunteer Patrick Talley was recognized for his service to Union Mission with the Ben & Bettye Barnes Award for Volunteer Leadership.

Stephen Bond's Story:

Stephen recalls the first time he walked into Union Mission over three years ago. He was scared stiff of relapsing and seeking both concrete help and encouragement. Many years of substance abuse issues, injuries and incarceration had left him in poverty, homeless, and alienated from family. Stephen stayed at Grace House and enrolled at Savannah Area Behavioral Health Collaborative, eventually transitioning to Men's Residential. He worked hard, earning a paid position at an initial volunteer placement at the Savannah Visitor's Center. Always eager to give back, Stephen eventually began volunteering in peer support at SABHC; in 2006, his selfless dedication earned him a chance to successfully become a Certified Peer Specialist and gain employment in the behavioral health field. Stephen is also a Community Consumer Advocacy Board on Homelessness (CCABoH) member, and his inspirational writing is often featured in its publication the CCABoH Connection. In one of his editorials, Stephen writes: Today it is OK not to have all of the answers. I am at peace with that because I am in the process of growing spiritually and that takes effort. If I work, the promise will continue to come true. Try it!

Today, Stephen is a valued employee of SABHC, a responsible father and son, and a humble and inspiring resource and advocate to many suffering from addiction and homelessness.

Lemar Hamilton's Story:

In the time that he has been affiliated with Union Mission and SABHC services, Lemar Hamilton has proven to himself and others that consistent effort and perseverance pay off. A resident at Men’s Residential housing, Lemar graduated from the Drug Court program in April 2005. He has maintained employment since February 2003, and has celebrated three years of sobriety. He is currently preparing to transition into Shelter Plus Care apartment housing.

Somehow, Lemar has also made the time to give back as a volunteer, sharing his story with individuals new to recovery at SABHC as well as donating his time and skills as a barber to clients within Union Mission. He has also continuously worked on preparing for the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) test. After two years of squeezing in time to study in our Lifelong Learning tutorial program, Lemar has more than earned his first testing success. In November, he passed the Language Arts Reading test with room to spare. He is now even more motivated to continue his studies and complete the entire battery.

But what story is complete without a little romance and glamour? He has recently cut his first demo record to begin what is hoped to be a successful career as a rap artist. In fact, this fall Lemar flew first class to New York City on his first ever plane ride to record a demo of his original rap, all at the studio’s expense. Despite his recent head-turning experience, Lemar remains the same humble, goal-oriented man who holds himself accountable to do the right thing. Union Mission is especially proud of Lamar’s character and his daily hard work.

Contact Information

David Acuff

Office: (912) 238-2777 ext 101
Fax: (912) 238-2773
Email: dacuff@unionmission.org

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