Bill Russell: Women Who Can - Helping Those who
Can't - Yet
Union Gospel Mission was founded in downtown Portland in 1927, by 40 diverse churches. The Mission is part of a movement that was launched by women on the shores of the Great Lakes in the 1800s. Today Union Gospel Mission is a center for abused, addicted, and homeless women and their children in the Rock Creek Neighborhood of Washington County.
Here's what many people don't know about homeless women:
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Women are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population
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They are also the most undercounted of the homeless, many hiding from abusers
Women are the key to helping homeless women to finding a flourishing safe and livable life. You can help as well by becoming an outreach volunteer or a mentor to a woman in recovery, and by using your leadership skills in private non-profit organizations to support the organziation.
Bill Russell is Director Emeritus of Union Gospel Mission. Bill changed careers from being a prosecutor to designing programs that help the chronically abused and addicted. He joined the staff at UGM in 1989 and retired as Executive Director in 2021. He continues as Director Emeritus, leading a campaign to open the center in the Rock Creek Neighborhood of Washington County.