For Immediate Release                                                                    Contact: Courtney Dodds  

November 27, 2020                                                                         971-275-2334 (cell)                      

Union Gospel Mission Portland Reports Covid-19 Cases

Portland, Ore., - On Thursday, November 26th (Thanksgiving Day) UGM learned that a few of their staff and residents in the men’s LifeChange recovery program in old town tested positive for COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms. LifeChange is a long-term residential community for homeless, addicted and vulnerable men. They also serve over 250,000 meals a year to the homeless and hungry at this old town center. 

“Our greatest concern is preventing further spread and keeping our residents, staff, volunteers, and those we serve safe and healthy. We have practiced strict COVID-19 protocols and will continue to do so. We are working with the Multnomah County Health Department and are following their recommendations. All staff and residents who have been exposed will be quarantined and tested,” said Bill Russell UGM’s Executive Director  

Out of extreme caution, they are temporarily altering meal services out of the downtown location and closing the Thrift Store in Tigard to help prevent any further spread and to care for residents and staff.

UGM serves the homeless and hungry throughout the community and will safely continue services to the LifeChange residents and to the hungry and homeless in camps throughout the city and their overnight shelter in SE Portland.

About Union Gospel Mission: Union Gospel Mission’s purpose is “Feeding the hungry, restoring the addict and loving our neighbor.” Union Gospel Mission has been serving Portland since 1927. Union Gospel Mission provides meals and care for the homeless and operates LifeChange -- a transformative recovery program for men, women and children. Contact Union Gospel Mission at 503-274-4483 or ugmportland.org and @ugmpdx. 

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