Staff Report | DFW Newsflash | October 2018
Union Gospel Mission Dallas (UGM Dallas) and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) have enjoyed a successful partnership that goes back for more than 22 years. They are once again partnering to help transform the lives of homeless individuals.
Nine UGM Dallas disciples were recently hired by Hallcon, a DART contractor, and given a chance to regain financial independence as mainline train cleaners. Their employment was achieved after they completed a discipleship program at UGM Dallas where they have progressed in the mission’s job skills program and have excelled in their faith-based life recovery classes.
“We are excited about our partnership with DART and the wonderful opportunity for our clients to earn a steady income as part of their path to rebuilding their lives. After completing their life skills and job readiness training, they are enjoying their new jobs and DART is helping to make this possible,” stated Bruce Butler, CEO of Union Gospel Mission Dallas. “With community partners like DART, together we can end homelessness one person at a time.”
After undergoing training from DART and Hallcon, the UGM disciples were offered salaried positions with the opportunity to receive benefits after the standard 90 days on the job. “We are thrilled to announce one individual has already been promoted and received a raise,” commented Mr. Butler.
“DART and UGM have built a strong relationship over the course of more than two decades based on our shared goals of being fully involved in the communities we serve and improving the quality of life for north Texas residents,” said Gary Thomas, DART President/Executive Director.
For more information on Union Gospel Mission Dallas, please visit www.ugmdallas.org. For more information about Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), please visit www.dart.org.
Established in 1949, Union Gospel Mission Dallas (the Mission) has been restoring lives through the word of Jesus Christ. This faith-based nonprofit organization supports individuals and families experiencing homelessness with shelter, food and clothing, as well as a Discipleship and recovery program, vocational job training and development, state-licensed child care services, medical care, transportation, substance abuse prevention, and transitional and permanent housing.
In 2017, the Mission assisted 4,331 individuals in Dallas County by providing more than 186,769 nights of shelter and serving 518,647 meals. These men, women and children represent the living, breathing embodiment of the grace of change, and the Mission is committed to doing everything possible to transform lives and end homelessness one person at a time.
SOURCE: DART
