Faith-Based Support is Key to Our Success

Young volunteers at the UMOM Luau hosted by
Paradise Valley United Methodist Church in 2011.

Faith-based support has been a critical element of UMOM's success from the very start.  UMOM’s roots date back to 1964 with the United Methodist Church.  Click here to learn more about UMOM’s humble beginnings. 
 
Today UMOM is proud to be supported by more than 100 different faith-based groups from across the Valley.  Monetary donations from the faith-based community are one of the many ways UMOM keeps its funding diversified in addition to other private resources such as corporations, foundations, special events, and individual contributions.  The support of time, talent, and treasure that our donors and volunteers from the faith-based community provide to our programs and residents is truly invaluable. 

UMOM relies on the faith-based community to help care for the spiritual needs of the residents.  All spiritual opportunities are hosted by volunteers and are offered on a voluntary basis.  The Zimmerman Chapel of Hope is located on UMOM’s main Van Buren campus.  This Chapel was conceived as an inter-faith space to provide a private, quiet, and reverent environment for meditation and reflection to satisfy the human need for spiritual nurture, healing and security. 

There are five major ways that people and communities of faith can get involved at UMOM, here are some examples of each:

Host an event for UMOM at your place of worship
Special Offering for UMOM
Sell Homers and Charms for UMOM

Become a UMOM Ambassador
Host a Spiritual Service at UMOM
In-Kind Donation Drives

Spread the Word about UMOM

Click Here to see a recent list of the faith-based groups who have contributed to UMOM!

Host an Event for UMOM

Many places of worship have a large meeting space like a gym or auditorium.  That is all we need to put together a fun and inspiring event that benefits UMOM.  For example, Paradise Valley United Methodist Church recently hosted a "Luau for UMOM Keiki" that raised almost $20,000 for UMOM's children's programs!

UMOM can help you organize the event and provide decorations, sign-in materials, contribution envelopes, and other event materials.  We can also provide catering services through our New Day Gourmet catering company.

Please contact our Faith-Based Support Coordinator, Nichole Barnes by email or by calling 602-889-0686 today to book your event!

Special Offering for UMOM

Many congregations have been able to raise critical funds for UMOM through a special offering at one of their services.  UMOM can provide the offering envelopes and even have a speaker come to your service to talk about UMOM's programs if you wish.

Some congregations have special offerings around holidays such as Easter, Mother's Day, Christmas, etc.  

Please contact our Faith-Based Support Coordinator, Nichole Barnes by email or by calling 602-889-0686 today to coordinate a special offering.

Sell Homers and Charms for UMOM

UMOM's "mascot" is Homer the Turtle, because turtles always have a home!  To celebrate UMOM we sell a cute stuffed turtle named "Homer" for $20 each - which is the price for one night of shelter on the UMOM campus.  We also sell Charity Charms - fashionable ways to show your support of UMOM.  You can see all the various items we sell here.  

Several congregations have taken Homers and Charms to sell at their own services and had great success.  If you are interested in selling Homers and/or Charms at your place of worship please contact our Faith-Based Support Coordinator, Nichole Barnes by email or by calling 602-889-0686.

Host a Spiritual Service at UMOM

UMOM is proud to offer several spiritual opportunities for our residents each week.  Several Valley congregations partner with UMOM to provide bible studies, Sunday services, vacation bible schools, and other spiritual opportunities for our residents.

If you are interested in providing these type of spiritual opportunities at UMOM please contact our Faith-Based Support Coordinator, Nichole Barnes by email or by calling 602-889-0686.

Serve a Meal

UMOM serves meals to over 500 individuals everyday at the Van Buren campus and the Watkins Basic Needs Shelter.  We are always in need of groups to help prepare and serve meals.  Groups of at least 5 or more people are encouraged, but individuals can volunteer to serve as well.  For more information on how to get your group scheduled to serve a meal please contact Michelle Hargreaves, Volunteer Coordinator, by email or by calling 602-889-0859.

In-Kind Donation Drives

You can be involved offsite by collecting much-needed items such as diapers, baby formula, hygiene products, etc. For more information about organizing a drive that interests you, please call our Donation Specialist at (602) 275-7852. Your help can have an impact on homeless individuals and families!

Prayer Support
Support UMOM through personal and group prayer.  Some topics to pray about include families who live at UMOM, families who are currently homeless or on our waiting list, staff, donors, volunteers, community leaders and government officials.

Spread the Word about UMOM

Most congregations have a weekly bulletin, a regular newsletter, and/or a website to communicate with their parishoners and the larger community.  UMOM would love to provide with you with items such as upcoming events, success stories, volunteer terstimonials, and current "wish" lists.

You can also link to our home page on your congregations' website, and we will make sure you are listed as one of our supporting congregations here as well!  You can also "Like" UMOM on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

To coordinate your communications about UMOM and request content for newsletters, bulletins, and emails please contact Public Relations Manager Michelle Davidson by email or call 602-710-2133.

Join the UMOM Speakers Bureau

In order to educate the community about the great work being done at UMOM we maintain a Speakers Bureau to help "spread the word."  As a Speaker's Bureau member you will be trained on how to talk about UMOM, give a tour of the main campus, and how to encourage others to get involved with UMOM.

We often have speaking requests from faith congregations so we are always looking for laypeople in the faith community to speak to other congregations about UMOM.  If you are interested in joining the UMOM Speakers Bureau please email Public Relations Manager Michelle Davidson or call 602-710-2133.