our mission is
The purpose of the Union Rescue Mission of Western Maryland, Inc. is to decrease homelessness by providing shelter, food, basic necessities, and rehabilitation to those living in poverty in the tri-state area with a commitment to the transforming hope found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Union Rescue Mission of Western Maryland, Inc. was founded in 1963 to be a “beacon of hope in the darkness,” providing overnight shelter and meals to those who have nowhere else to turn. We do so much more than provide basic essentials and overnight shelter. We exist to provide hope, healing, and rehabilitative care for men, women, and children experiencing poverty or who find themselves in a homeless crisis. Through the utilization of a multi-disciplinary approach, our goal is complete restoration, leaving behind the old and embracing the new hope and future promised through Christ. Individuals who find themselves as residents of the URM complete a basic intake and are each placed on a uniquely developed housing and spiritual growth plan. The plan includes not only the meeting of basic needs, but also focuses on education, therapeutic interventions, access to healthcare and supportive mental health services, vocational training, and spiritual guidance, all within a supportive Christian community. The focus of the URM has shifted over the years, addressing not only the emergent need but also focusing on the future for the individual, with a further goal to decrease the number of homeless in the Cumberland and greater Tri-State areas.
Serving with Purpose: By the Numbers
Our New Home on Centre Street
On Wednesday, December 14, 2022, the property located at 710 N. Centre Street, formerly known as High Point Furniture Outlet, officially became the home of the Union Rescue Mission of Western Maryland. Engineers had determined that the longevity of the Mission’s former Queen City Pavement buildings was limited to three to five years due to structural deterioration caused by prolonged exposure to railroad vibrations.
The acquisition of the Centre Street property provided the Union Rescue Mission with a vision that extends far beyond that limitation. We praise God for His faithful provision and for the future He placed before this ministry.
By God’s grace, that vision has now become reality. As of October 13, 2025, the Union Rescue Mission of Western Maryland officially moved into this facility and is fully operational at this location.
Expanded Space, Expanded Impact
This new property allows us to serve our residents more effectively and safely. The Centre Street location offers increased square footage to support program growth, green space for residents, dedicated parking for volunteers, and improved safety by moving away from the railroad tracks. We are deeply grateful to celebrate not only a new building, but the opportunity it provides for long-term ministry impact.
With this expanded space, our residential program has already been enhanced to include additional resources designed to promote healing, growth, and stability. An on-site exercise room (gym) is now open and available for residents, supporting physical health, structure, and overall wellness as part of the recovery process.
As we continue to build out the facility throughout the current year, additional program spaces are planned to further support our residents. These planned additions include music and art rooms, which will provide creative outlets and healthy coping mechanisms; a library with computer access, offering a quiet place for reading, studying, and completion of online job applications and educational opportunities; and an on-site classroom designed to host life-skills and educational programming.
Future classroom offerings are expected to include budgeting, health and hygiene, parenting, entrepreneurship, and other courses that address the practical needs of our residents. These additions will not only expand opportunities for those staying at the Mission, but will also create meaningful ways for volunteers and community partners to serve.
Work Rehabilitation & Internship Program
An important expansion made possible by this facility is the development of a work rehabilitation and internship program. Employment is a central goal within the Mission’s case management process, yet many residents face barriers such as limited job skills, work history gaps, and lack of foundational workplace habits.
Through this program, residents are gradually transitioned from shelter guests to interns, allowing time for stabilization while maintaining a focus on forward progress. Interns who are physically able participate in job training areas that align with both their interests and the operational needs of the Mission. Current training areas include building maintenance, groundskeeping, security, laundry, and reception, with flexibility to adapt as needs evolve.
This program serves multiple purposes:
- It equips residents with practical job skills
- Builds a verifiable work history and professional references
- Encourages accountability and stewardship of the Mission as their home
- Fosters dignity, purpose, and a sense of accomplishment
Our prayer is that this program makes a lasting impact, helping residents move toward independence and stability while restoring hope.
Partner With Us
Please consider partnering with the Union Rescue Mission of Western Maryland in the following ways:
- Pray for the continued expansion of the Mission and for lives to be transformed by the love of Christ
- Give generously, whether for the first time or by increasing your current support
- Encourage friends and family to support the Mission
- Consider remembering the Mission in your estate planning or through stock donations
- Make a pledge to support the ongoing work of the Union Rescue Mission
We invite you to celebrate what God has already done—and to join us as He continues to work through this ministry.