Union Gospel Mission’s New West location welcomes the community back

It’s a busy, but joyful morning at 658 Clarkson St. in New Westminster: two men are filling a barbecue with coal, another is greeting people as flats of water are wheeled into the space Union Gospel Mission (UGM) has occupied for more than two decades.

The not-for-profit is hosting a block party to celebrate finally being able to run its operations at full capacity. UGM’s services have been limited since COVID-19 hit. The centre has also had a facelift: Kari Bergrud, manager of program development, points out the new flooring, tables and chairs, and the new murals on the walls of the dining space.

It’s a welcome change after spending about two years serving meals in takeout containers.

“During the pandemic, everything was made [in the kitchen],” says Bergrud, “and then set out front.”

This is one of UGM’s eight locations in Metro Vancouver. Along with serving meals to those who are unhoused, have low or no income, the 80-year-old organization offers drop-in services to folks from all walks of life.

Like Bergrud, UGM’s Rachael Allen—who handles communications—is ecstatic to be able to reconnect with the community.

“We’ve got a brand new, freshened up space that we’re excited to welcome people back into, and we’ve got some new programs for the fall that we’re really excited to help better connect and support our community here in New West,” says Allen.

What’s new at UGM?

• New seating: the centre previously had food-court-style seating, with tables bolted to the floor. These have been replaced with chairs and tables that can move freely. The space can comfortably seat 98 people.

• New and improved flooring

• New artwork: the walls of the dining space are covered in a mural that evokes a feeling of being outside. The mural, painted by the centre’s supervisor, is meant to bring the outdoors inside.

• New showers: down a hallway from the dining area, there is a space for people to take showers; this space also has a mural on the walls. Bergrud says the choice to paint rocks on the walls was to give it a bit of a “spa” or “zen-like” feeling.

• New meal times: breakfast will be served from 8 to 9am, while lunch will go from noon to 1pm Monday to Friday.

• New outreach support: this includes a new Mobile Mission vehicle along Clarkson Street that UGM can use to connect with people who may not be able to come down to the centre.

“[During the pandemic] the social element really was dissipated, and people from our community have actually told us recently that they’ve been impacted by the fact that we haven’t been able to open inside since 2020,” says Allen.

The centre’s refresh has meant more space to offer case management, which means access to services like finding housing or one-on-one counselling.

While the number of meals distributed annually at this location dipped during the pandemic, UGM says it has anecdotally seen more seniors and families accessing services.

“Before, we had to kind of refer people if they needed more support with housing…to another service provider, but the beauty of this is that we’re able to have consistency. We’re able to just walk alongside people,” says Allen.

To learn more about the centre’s offerings or how you can help, visit UGM’s website.