The Mission Message

August 2010

Inside This Issue: A message from Skip, Employability Program Begins, New TCDAN Coordinator

On Saturday, May 22nd, the Mission celebrated 15 Years of service to the Olympia Community. In addition, Kim Mitman and Michael Di Marzo, (pictured above), celebrated their graduation from our Life Transformation Programs. If you missed the gala, please plan to join us in October for our dental benefit concert. For more dinner highlights, view our video at ougm.org. We appreciate all those who attended our gala and look forward to seeing you next year.

2010 Women’s Transformation Program Members, with Director, Marla Root.

2010 Spring Graduates, Kim and Mike.

2010 Men’s Transformation Program Members, with Director, Peggy Langan.

Olympia Union Gospel Mission . PO Box 7668 . Olympia, WA . 98507-7668 . (360) 709-9725 . ougm.org

Restoring Hope,

Transforming Lives

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 Transformationpeggy@ougm.org(360) 709-9725, ext. 103

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

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

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

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

Shelley Case-TCDAN Coordinator(360) 943-6400, ext. 117shelley@ougm.org

Jerome Jaeger-Day Room Supervisorjerome@ougm.org(360) 709-9725, ext. 105

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

Jeff Marchell-Evening Supervisorjeff@ougm.org(360) 709-9725, ext. 105

Mariassa Rojas-Medical Clinic Managermedical@ougm.org(360) 357-6505, ext. 119

Dental Line(360) 943-6400, ext. 100

Medical Line(360) 357-6505, ext. 119

Vision(360) 709-9725

Loren “Skip” Steffen

A Word From

Skip . . .

Contact Us

Executive Director

A STUDY IN CONTRASTS:

As you can see from the pictures on the front cover of the Newsletter, we had a wonderful time at the combined Mission’s 15 year Anniversary Celebration and Life Transformation Banquet. I so wish that all those who read this Newslet-ter could have been there to see how God has brought about such wonderful changes in the lives of those dear folks in the pictures. By the time you read this, the two men standing on either side of Peggy will have also graduated. I was crossing the parking lot the other evening when I came upon a man sitting on the ground with his bed role, sucking what seemed like the last bit of smoke he could out of a cigarette butt. After all these years, I still struggle with what to say in this circumstance, so I just asked how it was going. “Not good” he replied.” “Broke and down.” I’m a fortunate guy because I could tell him to go inside the Mission for a meal and talk to Jeff, who could help him with some options. What a blessing it is to have the resources God has provided through your generous donations at my disposal in times like these. As I got into my car, I was haunted by the sad - vacant look in his eyes. It struck me that this vacant look is characteristic of the difference between him and the eyes of those in the photos. When Life Transformation clients surrender to Jesus and the Holy Spirit enters their lives, ever so slowly, the light begins to come on and get brighter in those who really “get it” and gradu-ate. But first they have to stop trying to experience God and the world on their terms and experience God on His terms; the world will follow.

Loren Steffen,

Mission HoursOffice Hours: M-F, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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

Saturday Brunch, 10 a.m. to Noon

Sunday, 8 a.m. and NoonChurch, 9 a.m.

Hot Showers, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Daily

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

Upcoming Mission Events

*Annual Volunteer Picnic August 28, 11 a.m. Kenney Dell Black Lake Park

Western b-b-que, games, music, prizes-bring your family and join ours for an afternoon of fun and fellowship! RSVP at (360) 709-9725 visit ougm.org for directions

*2010 Dental Clinic Benefit Concert Saturday, October 23, 2010 7:30 p.m. WA Center for the Performing Arts Tickets on Sale September 1 $25, 23, 20 (includes WCPA fee) OLYTIX.org, or 753-8586.

Current Mission Needs:Meat, #10 cans of fruit, veggies,beans, fresh produce, etc. Flatware, not plastic, especially spoons and forks.

Costs per meal have risen dramatically in 2010 and help is needed to keep our kitchen operating. Food donations, especially of produce, meat and dairy products are greatly appreciated.

Volunteer teams for evening meal preparation, service, and clean-up are needed. For more information, contact Cody at 709-9725.

Social Service Providers and Spanish Language Interpretors are needed for the Mission’s No-fee Medical Clinic. For more information, contact Marissa at 357-6505.

VISION PROVIDERS are needed for the No-fee vision clinic so that services can be expanded. If you are an optometrist who would like to join our ministry, or know one who might be interested, please contact Violet at 709-9725.

The Mission would like thank the following financial institutions for their contributions to support the Thurston County Dental Access Network Program:

Olympia Union Gospel MissionHealth Resource Center News“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, be open handed toward your

brothers, and toward the poor in your land.” Deuteronomy 15:11

It’s back and it’s bigger and better than ever, so don’t miss your chance to see some of our faithful dental volunteers in action dancing and singing to Broadway tunes like “Greased Whitening” at Dentists Go Broadway 2010. Still one of the best deals in town, just $25 and $23 and $20 (includes WA Center fee), at the best venue in town, the Washington Center for the Performing Arts. Our dental volunteers will join with the energetic Olympia Jazz Senators big band, a community gospel choir, professional vocalists, professional swing dancers, performers from Debbi’s Dance inLacey, and a host of others to create a one of kind variety show benefitting no-fee dental care for needy and uninsured individuals in Thurston County. Watch our web site at ougm.org for updates. Tickets go on sale at the WA Center beginning September 1 at OLYTIX.org, or call the box office at 360.753.8586.

Meet Shelley Case . . . Our New TCDAN Coordinator

In May, the Mission had to say goodbye to TCDAN Coordinator Judy Cunningham, who returned to her home community of Centralia to resume work in a private dental practice. All staff members will greatly miss Judy, but are looking forward to working with her replacement, Shelley Case, who joined us at the end of May. Shelley comes to the Mission with 20 years of experience as a dental

assistant, most recently for an endodontist in Gig Harbor, WA. So how did Shelley find us? She said it was definitely a “God thing”. “I was on the internet looking for a job for my husband and stumbled upon the job opening here. I clearly heard God’s voice saying “this is it”-I’d been wanting and praying for a change for a long time, but nothing had come up. I immediately made a call to Skip, but got his voice mail. I left him a long message saying how much I wanted this job. When I hung up, I thought, “I’m pregnant, no one is going to hire me,” she said. You see, on her 40th birthday, Shelley received an extra gift. A little boy named Cooper is expected in about 3 months. She gives the credit for the surprise to her seven year old daughter who prayed diligently for a brother. Cooper will be born into a family with three girls so mom should have lots of help. After her phone message, Dental Clinic Manager Linda Barrett gave Shelley a call: they talked, she interviewed and was hired. “I really believe this is where God wants me to be-I had no doubts and no hesitations about leaving where I was to come to the Mission, which is unusual when changing jobs,” said Shelley. Now that she’s here, Shelley says she feels at home and things are going smoothly, but it really is different from what she’s used to. “It’s a big change for me. This is more of a triage situation. I come from a high end specialty office where paying for services was not an issue for patients. I’m helping a different population here, and their needs are all different.” She cites the example of one man who was a “down on his luck” construction worker with beautiful teeth; then she worked on a homeless alcoholic suffering from withdrawals.

“But he was so appreciative and couldn’t believe how nice we were being to him,” she said. For Shelley, the best thing about the job change is that now she feels free to express her faith in God. “Here I can express my love for the Lord as much as I want”. So far, things are going well with the dentists as they adapt to a new assistant, but for her, trying to remember all of the special needs of each dentist is challenging because so many are volunteering. “They are all so different and like different things,” she said. Shelley will take six weeks off when Cooper is born, but until then, will keep herself busy learning all about her dentists and coordinating patients to see non-clinic dentists in their private offices through the TCDAN program. If you visit the Mission, don’t forget to stop and welcome Shelley. We know you’ll like her as much as we do.

To learn more about the Mission’s dental programs, please visit our web site at ougm.org, or contact Clinic Manager Linda Barrett at 943.6400.

The Mission said goodbye to former TCDAN Coordinator Judy Cunninham at a lunch in May. We wish her well in her new position at a dental office in Centralia.

When Men’s House Leader Matt Ihler asked if the Mission could

start a program to help clients become more employable, little did he know God already had someone in mind to manage the program. Shortly after Matt made his request, Michael Tucker interviewed with Violet to become a Mission volunteer. When she learned about Michael’s background in helping low income families become more employable, she thought he’d be a perfect fit to begin the employability training program. Just weeks later, Michael has two clients and is also working with two staff members to im-prove their resumes. “We have the basics of the program set up, but are still developing it,” said Michael. So far, the program involves eight to ten hours of class room instruction, an orientation period, personal assessment, skills inventory, and discipleship component. “The discipleship piece is cool, because for me, that was the missing piece in my other po-sition. I was never able to share my faith-now I can. I believe similar programs that leave God out will miss the mark,” he said. In the assessment, clients will discover who they are and what they enjoy doing. They will also take a skills inventory and talk with Mi-chael about their perceptions regarding their own employability. Barriers to employment such as criminal history and lack of child care will also be addressed. The main component of the program is SMART Goals. He said that goals must be: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time Framed. Setting goals in small, achievable increments will make job seekers more successful.

Participants will also create an employment search portfolio where they can keep all of their job search information in one place and have it on hand for quick reference. The port-folio teaches participants how to plan using a calendar, prepare for interviews, and evaluate their performance toward reaching employ-ment goals. Unemployment is something Michael can relate to, but believes that his own recent bout with unemployment is what led him to the Mission. “If I had been fully employed right now, I wouldn’t have come to the Mission,” he said. And as a recovered alcoholic, Michael can also fully sympathize with many Mission clients. “I was a drinker for 20 years. I went up and down and back and forth trying to quit. The weight was so heavy for me I could feel my spirit extinguishing, so I reached out. I got down on my knees in my bedroom and cried out to Jesus. He came to me and told me he would help me out of my addiction,” said Mi-chael. He was instantly delivered and hasn’t had a drink since. He says that his church fam-ily is his greatest support in staying sober. While seeking a place to use his specialized skills, Michael faced a lot of closed doors but says he knows God opened the door for him at the Mission. It was a blessing for the Mission as well because there’s been a need for this kind of program for years, but no man power to implement it. We are grateful to God for sending Michael to the Mission and look forward to seeing this new program bear fruit in the lives of those we serve.

Mission Launches Employability Training ProgramEmployment Specialist Michael Tucker reviews training program materials.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

For the past three and a half years, Allen Radke has lent his unique dishwashing tal-ents, garnered as a youth, to the Mission’s kitchen. “My mother had us kids washing dishes from day one. I washed and my brother dried, so I got to laugh at him because I’d be finished and he had to keep on drying,” said Radke. Allen came to the Mission after a time of personal trial. “I was lonely and needed something to do. I read about the Mission in a brochure, interviewed with Violet, and got started. I didn’t really know anyone, but through volunteering I made some good friends,” he said, adding that he needs the Mission as much as we need him. As a school teacher, Allen had the summer’s off so he would work for the parks’ department. Through that job, he met a lot of homeless people, who also became his friends, even hosting a Bible study for them. Born and raised in Portland, Allen moved to the South Sound area in 1989. He lived in Shelton while raising his four children, then moved to Olympia. Although retired, Allen still substitute teaches and baby sits his grandaughter, Micah Anne, every Thurs-day. “She’s a cutie.” Allen has four grandaughters and proudly admits they love their grandpa. “I love volunteering. It’s a place to stay busy and make friends, it brings me closer to Jesus, and helping others is something He’s asked me to do.”

Meet Allen Radke, Dishwasher Extroardinaire!

“The Mission has been a blessing to me by getting my diabetes under control. They also helped a lot this last year with emotional issues and helped me out on Christmas Eve. Now I have glasses too. Thanks a lot to the whole staff”

-Doris Paulson

OUGM Takes a Holistic Approachto Caring for People

Did you know you can view our newsletter on line? You can also donate on line, watch client testimonies, join our prayer team, and down-load volunteer forms. Visit us at ougm.org to learn more.

Non-Profit OrgU.S. Postage

PAIDOlympia, WA

Permit No. 624

ANNUAL VOLUNTEER PICNICSaturday, August 28

Black Lake Kenneydell ParkPioneer Shelter

11 a.m.

Join us for an Old Fashioned Western B-b-queGames, prizes, music and fellowship

Bring your family!For those who want to participate in the water rodeo,

a.k.a. innertube races, wear a swim suit.For baseball rodeo, please bring mitts, bats and balls.

Patrick & Shawn Berschauer Vivian BerschauerEdward & Barbara Montermini Lee BombergerIruegard Roush Larry DoveRonnie & Jeanene Lester Larry Dove Larry Dove

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called.” 1 Timothy

6:12

MEMORIALS

In Loving Memory of . . .

Ray & Elenore Lindquist