Union Mission

This year's Raising Hope Gala features a speaker whose life is a testament to what's possible when someone gets a real second chance.

Janie Deegan — New York baker, founder of Janie's Life-Changing Baked Goods, and survivor of addiction and homelessness — will share her story on June 4 at the Savannah Convention Center. Her journey from the streets to building four community-focused bakeries is exactly the kind of story Union Mission exists to make possible right here in Savannah. We'd love to see you there!

For more info visit https://www.unionmission.org/raisinghope

Union Mission Announces 2026 Raising Hope Featured Speaker
https://www.savannahtribune.com/articles/union-mission-announces-2026-raising-hope-featured-speaker/

What a great afternoon at the Tourism Leadership Council luncheon! Thank you to TLC and The DeSoto for having us. It was an honor for our President and CEO, Michael Traynor, to speak to such a wonderful group and share what’s happening at Union Mission, including the exciting news about our new Resource Center. We are grateful for the chance to connect with Savannah’s tourism community and talk about the work being done right here in our city.

A big thank you to WTOC and WTOC Tim Guidera for shining a light on Raising Hope and the work Union Mission does every day for our Savannah neighbors.

If you haven't grabbed your tickets yet, Raising Hope is June 4th at the Savannah Convention Center. Doors open at 5:30 for the cocktail reception, with dinner and the program starting at 7. This year's keynote speaker is Janie Deegan, founder of Janie's Life-Changing Baked Goods, whose story of rebuilding her life after addiction and homelessness is one you won't want to miss.

Every dollar raised goes directly toward our Emergency Housing Programs for men, women, and children. Last year, we helped 734 people move from the streets into stable housing and served more than 268,000 meals. Raising Hope is how we keep doing that.

Find information on tickets and sponsorship opportunities at unionmission.org/raisinghope

https://www.wtoc.com/2026/05/11/raising-hope-support-union-mission-emergency-housing-programs/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRxokBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEenMmrXG-9k5piDc70guh80ZPBXVsE57EdoyE2w9qhMgAT8L6PnRIxIfPGY9Y_aem_bPjmvhUWS-O5vl0aoVHXvQ

Raising Hope to support Union Mission emergency housing programs Union Mission fundraiser

Savannah State University showed up big this Investiture Week, collecting 135 pairs of shoes for our neighbors in need. To every student and staff member who donated, thank you. You are what community looks like.

Spring is a season of renewal, and this past April, our community bloomed with a shared commitment to healing, awareness, and solidarity.

Union Mission’s Mental Health Counseling Department hosted the 2nd Annual Sexual Assault Awareness event. It was a powerful day dedicated to breaking the silence and fostering a culture of consent and respect.

In April, our Clothing Closet served 362 individuals and the numbers speak for themselves.

886 shirts. 324 pairs of pants. 126 pairs of shoes. 540 pairs of socks. 137 hygiene packs. 70 coats, hoodies, and jackets. Dresses, shorts, sheets, pillows, towels, blankets, and so much more.

Behind every one of those items is a real person in our community who needed it. None of this happens without the people who donate, volunteer, and show up. Thank you.

There are a lot of reasons to come to this year’s Raising Hope on June 4 at the Savannah Convention Center.

Here’s one more: you could leave with a trip of a lifetime.

This year’s auction features incredible travel experiences through Amfund, with 4+ star accommodations, curated excursions, and a dedicated travel specialist. Trips are valid for three years with no blackout dates, and you’ll have options to extend your stay or bring additional travelers. Destinations include the Amalfi Coast, Cortona in Tuscany, South Africa, Holland, Portugal, Greece, and San Francisco wine country.

Can’t make it to the auction? The Golden Ticket raffle gives you a shot at a dream trip to Scotland, and you don’t have to be present to win. Tickets start at $100.

Bidding opens before the program begins, so plan to get there early. Learn more and get your tickets at unionmission.org/raisinghope.

Big thanks to Prologis employees for choosing Union Mission to complete their employer sponsored volunteer service.  We truly appreciate your time and commitment to serving your community!

We’re excited to celebrate Laura Cook as our April Employee of the Month! Laura is an integral part of the Grace House team, leading our SHAP program with consistency, care, and compassion. The impact she makes shows up in the work—and in the lives she supports—every single day.

Here are just a couple recent moments that reflect Laura’s dedication:

-Helping a client reconnect with his parents
-Supporting another client in transitioning to sober living

Thank you, Laura, for living out our mission and for the difference you make.

Join us in congratulating Laura in the comments!

We are so grateful to The Market at 3 West Ridge and St. Peter’s Church for choosing the Magdalene House as one of their beneficiaries this year. $38,500 goes a long way toward creating safe, stable housing for women in our community who need it most. Thank you to every vendor, volunteer, supporter, and everyone who came out to shop and make this possible.

Sunday marked the close of our 2026 Market at 3 West Ridge when we presented checks to our 2 wonderful and very deserving beneficiaries and Magdalene house for & 38,500 each!
A huge thank you to all of our supporters, vendors and volunteers to help make this happen. This St. Peter’s outreach is as much fun as it is rewarding