This past year was Union Mission’s busiest year on record with our housing programs serving 22% more individuals than initially projected. In order to bring much needed awareness to this issue, November serves as Homeless Awareness Month. Union Mission invites you to influence change by participating in any or all of the following activities: 

• SUPPORT Oliver Maner’s Donation Drive for unaccompanied, homeless women at Parker’s House. Items needed include personal care items (toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant), bedding (new pillows & twin sheets), paper products (toilet paper, paper towels), cleaning supplies (Lysol cleaners, disinfectant wipes), laundry supplies (individual pods, dryer sheets) and undergarments (socks, undershirts). Items can be shipped directly or dropped off to Oliver Maner at 218 W. State Street during regular business hours.

• SERVE at Union Mission’s Thanksgiving Meal by volunteering on Wednesday, November 27 at Union Mission (125 Fahm Street) from 8:30am to 11:30am or 11:00am to 2:00pm. Up to 500 free meals will be provided by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation with the support of Sodexo, to local families and individuals in need. Volunteers will have the opportunity to help pass out boxed to-go meals or assist with the free donations through the clothing closet. For more information, visit www.unionmission.org.

• DONATE to Giving Tuesday to support Union Mission clients at Grace House for men which houses 72 beds including 32 emergency beds, 28 transitional housing units, and 12 beds for previously incarcerated individuals. Funds raised will focus on replacing 40 wardrobe lockers with new blue industrial grade lockers as we update the facility and continue to bring dignity to the clients that we serve. A set of 3 lockers is $1,000 for clients to store their belongings. If you or your civic organization is interested in sponsoring, please contact Suzanne Willis at [email protected].    

• RECOGNIZE World AIDS Day on Monday, December 2 at 702 West Oglethorpe Avenue. Help raise awareness and stand in solidarity for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Those attending will have free access to HIV tests and counseling services along with on-site help for medical questions & concerns. 

• VOLUNTEER through Union Mission’s Student Outreach & Leadership Program Online. This program focuses on building connections within the community, and this relationship building and self-led service work helps students develop a deeper connection to Union Mission and the people that we serve. For more information visit Student Outreach & Leadership Program — Union Mission. 

In 2023, Union Mission served 1,250 individuals with 180,800 nights of housing and 260,337 meals. Through our programs and supportive services, we helped transition 773 men, women and children from the streets of Savannah to safe and stable housing. Union Mission clients come to us with no home and lack stability surrounding all aspects of their lives. We are committed to continuing to help this vulnerable segment of our community accustomed to hardship.