Simonka Place

Simonka Place Help fuel our ministries and care for your neighbors in need: ugmsalem.org/urgent Said George Simonka, "We spent two years working on it.

Union Gospel Mission of Salem's Women's & Children's Mission, and the first women's shelter on the West Coast, helping women and children break free from homelessness. Whether seeking immediate relief or long-term support, every woman and child has the same opportunity for life change at Simonka Place. More than two-thirds of the women we care for have suffered from domestic or sexual violence. Such trauma is often a root cause of homelessness, among many other factors including mental illness and unforeseen life events. Through our holistic, person-focused approach, guests are helped and experience healing through clinical case management and trauma-informed care. You can extend a hand to the women and children at Simonka Place through the transformational grace of Jesus Christ and the legacy of June Simonka. June and her husband George Simonka founded Union Gospel Mission of Salem, and she was the inspiration for our women's shelter. Her question that started it all was "George, what about the women?"

This question led to the very first women's shelter on the West Coast in 1968, a little more than 50 years ago. Before the purchase was made, though, 30 different possibilities were considered. We wanted just the right setting. I wanted a place that would be immediately uplifting--emotionally uplifting." The shelter resided on 14th Street. For years, that's where Simonka "House" remained until 2002 when the operation was moved to UGM's present-day Simonka "Place" facility in Keizer.

Today, a mother was apologizing for the argument between two of her sons. During our discussion, she further explained ...
07/29/2025

Today, a mother was apologizing for the argument between two of her sons. During our discussion, she further explained that they only have one pair of tennis shoes and one pair of sandals, but they both wanted to be wearing the tennis shoes that day.

While it broke my heart, it really made me think about the basic needs that our families have that we and the UGM Mission Thrift Store aren't able to fulfill. These are kids in unfamiliar schools, living in a shelter, and their worlds have been turned upside down.

How amazing would it be to bless them abundantly for school this year?!

My prayer is that you would pass on this story and message, and for our community to rally together and love on these three families like Jesus. May we bless them and give them hope. May we empower them this school year and onwards!

🏫Directly bless the families currently staying at Simonka Place this school year through the following Amazon gift list: https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/303RY7LJTZZ0K?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_ggr-subnav-share_PTG44HAA9KRB0ZYBB3XE_1&language=en-US

Today the maintenance crew, IT, the community engagement team, and a couple volunteers made their way over to Simonka Pl...
07/28/2025

Today the maintenance crew, IT, the community engagement team, and a couple volunteers made their way over to Simonka Place to help our staff prepare for the RENEWAL project. We moved both our staff offices and JD Health & Wellness on-site clinic out into some temporary pop-ups to make room for construction to begin!🚧

07/22/2025
07/18/2025

The RENEWAL has finally begun!✨✨

Just the other day, our executive director, Craig, officially signed the papers to start the remodel of Simonka Place to dignify and provide quality care and shelter to mothers and children in desperate need, and safety and compassion.

However, construction will take approximately 7 months, and we are asking you all to pray for the women and children we are currently caring for, who will be with us during this period of change. Please pray for our staff and the women in our programs throughout this transition and encourage them to keep their eyes on the future of Simonka Place to better serve our community.

Thank you all for your compassion toward those in need.
https://www.ugmsalem.org/renewal

07/10/2025

A huge thank you to our friends Mikayla, Judy, and Janet (you know who you are) for sending us ALL of our urgently need items this month! We are so grateful for you all answering the Lord's call on your hearts to help us continue to care for the women and children here at Simonka Place! 🩵

If you would also like to help fulfill urgent needs this July, our Men's Mission kitchen is still in need of vegetables and pasta for the meals they produce for all men, women, and children who come to us! Head to https://www.ugmsalem.org/urgent to help them fill the pantry this month!

P.S. You can now also support our volunteer-run FOOT CLINIC MINISTRY by providing new shoes and socks to our homeless brothers and sisters. These essential items for care can also be found in the link above. 👟🧦

Send a message to learn more

06/02/2025
06/02/2025
05/26/2025

This Memorial Day, we honor and remember all those who have given their lives for our country. Thank you for your courage and your sacrifice. 🙏

Send a message to learn more

04/24/2025

Today, we received a check for $550 from a group of SUPER🦸‍♂️✨️ fifth graders at Forest Ridge Elementary School in honor of their "Empathy Project." The students invited us to attend the event in their gymnasium where they presented the check. They chose Union Gospel Mission on their own because they wanted to help provide food and shelter for those who are homeless.

The students worked together to pool their money (much of which was coins) to be able to gift us this generous donation. 😊💖 What an amazing group of kids!!

This was the BIGGEST Volunteer Banquet we've ever thrown!!! There is truly a volunteer REVIVAL happening at UGM!❤️❤️🙌 Th...
04/18/2025

This was the BIGGEST Volunteer Banquet we've ever thrown!!! There is truly a volunteer REVIVAL happening at UGM!❤️❤️🙌 Thank you all!

🕊️💜We're just a few days away from Easter!! A time when UGM serves a special meal to extend the holiday to our brothers ...
04/15/2025

🕊️💜We're just a few days away from Easter!! A time when UGM serves a special meal to extend the holiday to our brothers and sisters in need and share the grace and love of Jesus Christ as we celebrate!

This year we are especially in need of ham to complete our Easter meals! 🍽️Help us serve our neighbors this season by giving online or donating food directly to our kitchens!

Give by April 20 to provide our brothers and sisters experiencing hunger and homelessness with life-changing meals, and the opportunity to experience joy and hope through God’s love this Easter!

Donate online now at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ugsal
or deliver food donations directly to our kitchens!
📍Union Gospel Mission, 777 Commercial St NE, Salem, OR 97301
📍Simonka Place for Women & Children, 5119 River Rd N, Keizer, OR 97303

04/11/2025

Have you ever felt like you're invisible? Hagar did, but God saw her and showed up in her darkest moment. Let's be the ones to see and support the women in our community who need it most! 🌼🩵 Learn more about our RENEW luncheon and how you can get involved at https://www.ugmsalem.org/renew

Address

5119 River Road N
Keizer, OR
97303

Telephone

+15033627487

Website

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