Union Gospel Mission Of Missoula
About Union Gospel Mission Of Missoula
What started in 1999 serving meals beneath the Higgins Street Bridge now reaches people in Missoula through shelter, outreach, recovery support, and practical help. Hope Rescue Mission’s work is built for moments when housing is unstable and everything feels urgent, with places to land, people to call, and next steps that are actually usable. Donors help support the kind of steady, in-town care that can move someone from crisis toward stability.
This is not just one service with a few add-ons. In Missoula, the mission pairs a temporary safe outdoor space, a drop-in center, 549-HOPE, a women’s recovery program, and Hope Thrift Boutique, with retail, recycling, and volunteer programs helping carry the work. That makes the whole thing feel less like a program list and more like a working support system.
Programs
The concrete work this nonprofit runs. Each program may later become a fundable project.
Temporary Safe Outdoor Space (TSOS)
A 24/7 safe, secure, staffed, service-rich environment for people experiencing homelessness, with individual shelters and support services as participants pursue housing opportunities.
Drop-In Center
A safe place where individuals can receive support, connect with staff, learn about available programs, and get guidance toward housing and recovery next steps.
549-HOPE
A centralized call center for benevolence needs that works with local churches, agencies, and organizations to help people identify available resources, basic needs, and short-term funding.
Women’s Center
A long-term recovery program for women dealing with overwhelming personal issues such as addiction, domestic violence, or a criminal history.
PATH program
Outreach, connection, and support for people experiencing homelessness or at immediate risk of becoming homeless, especially those diagnosed with a severe mental illness.
Hope Thrift Boutique
A volunteer-driven, staff-supported ministry that generates income for the mission and houses the clothing recycling program, work experience initiative, and volunteer program.
About this work
In their own words — what they do, who it reaches, and what your dollars actually fund.
Mission
By the grace of Jesus Christ, Hope Rescue Mission, through partnership and collaboration, serves, rescues, and transforms those in need.
Who they serve
People experiencing homelessness, housing instability, addiction, domestic violence, mental illness, and other crisis needs in Missoula and western Montana.
Their impact
- In 2024, the Drop-In Center directly benefited 713 individuals.
- In 2024, the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space shelter served 157 people.
- In 2024, 39 people moved from the shelter to permanent housing, 19 moved to friends, family, or a halfway home, and 4 entered treatment.
- The shelter helped 49% of its clients transition from the streets to stability.
- In 2024, volunteers served over 2,000 hours at Hope Thrift Boutique.
- In 2024, the textile recycling program diverted 204,194 pounds of clothing from landfills.
- Since launching in fall 2024, Rescued sales have doubled.
How your donation helps
- Direct support for ministries serving people in need
- Program and administrative costs
- Hope Thrift Boutique operations that generate mission income
- Outreach, shelter, and recovery services
- Clothing and furniture resale and recycling efforts
Our story
Hope Rescue Mission began in 1999 as Union Gospel Mission of Missoula, first serving meals to people experiencing homelessness beneath the Higgins Street Bridge. As the need in the community grew, the ministry expanded into a day center and a men’s recovery program, then later added Hope Outreach, 549-HOPE, Hope Thrift Boutique, and The Grace House.
Need help?
How someone in need can access Union Gospel Mission Of Missoula’s services.
People in need can visit the Drop-In Center during open hours to receive a safe place to talk with staff, information about housing and recovery programs, and guidance toward next steps. If they cannot visit in person, they can use the support form on the Find Support page and the team will follow up.
Stories
The people behind the work.
In their words
Because someone cared, I found the strength to start over.
God brought me to the Mission under false pretenses :o).
Events
HopeSufferFest
Date stated: September 16, 2023Montana’s gravel charity ride for transformation, with a 30-mile ride, a 50-mile ride, a family ride, hiking options, food, and games.
Ways to help
Concrete needs and volunteer roles Union Gospel Mission Of Missoula has shared.
Current needs
- Volunteers to make sandwiches for Friday outreach day
- Volunteers to sort clothing and items at Hope Thrift Boutique
- Volunteers for admin and donor care tasks
- Volunteers to serve at the baler
- Quality donated clothing and furniture
Volunteer opportunities
- Admin and donor care, including writing cards, calling donors, and processing mail
- Making sandwiches for Friday outreach day
- Serving at the baler to sort clothing and prepare unsold items for recycling
- Clothing donation sorting at Hope Thrift Boutique
- Reception support at the Drop-In Center
- Teaching or leading art classes and activities
- Leading Bible studies
- Driving clients to showers at a local church
- Street outreach on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11 a.m.
- On-site support at the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space
- Social media assistance
- Helping organize fundraisers
- Marketing and advertising support
- One-time group service projects for families, businesses, and churches
Recognition & press
In the media
- KPAX, coverage of Hope Rescue Mission bringing conversations about homelessness to community members far and wide
- Missoulian, coverage of the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space and homelessness in Missoula
Press & mentions
Partners & funders
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about this nonprofit and how its work happens.
How does someone get help from Hope Rescue Mission?
People can stop by the Drop-In Center during open hours to talk with staff, learn about housing and recovery options, and get help with next steps. If they can’t come in, they can use the support form on the Find Support page and follow-up will be provided.
What is the Temporary Safe Outdoor Space?
It’s a 24/7 staffed, secure place for people experiencing homelessness, with individual shelters and services that support the move toward housing.
What does 549-HOPE do?
549-HOPE is a centralized call center for benevolence needs. It works with local churches, agencies, and organizations to help people find resources, basic needs, and short-term funding.
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