Our History
1952 - 1955
The former Shield of Faith ministry operated a small mission on the second floor of an old store in downtown Eugene where the Eugene Hilton stands today. Meals were served to hungry, traveling men. No beds were provided.
1956
The Eugene Mission was incorporated by three Christian area businessmen – Jack Gossard, Robert Freeman and John Huber.
1962
Ernie Unger became the Mission’s new executive director, replacing Roy Gable.
1962
The Eugene Mission relocated to a farmhouse at 1925 Roosevelt Boulevard, still providing meals only for a variety of men.
1967
A new facility for men, complete with 50 beds and a cafeteria, was designed and built in our current location at 1542 West 1st Avenue by James W. Keefe.
1971
A dayroom was added, which provided a warm, dry place to stay, for guests at all hours – complete with laundry facilities, haircuts, and a gathering area, as well as additional dormitories for men. The population changed from traveling men to many with mental illness, addictions, criminal history.
1979
A new women’s center was built with 50 beds. Refuge for homeless women; help for domestic abuse and addictions.
1998
A mothers and children’s center with 34 beds was built. A safe haven from domestic violence, help for moms without jobs, quilts, teddy bears and stability for children!
2011
Ernie Unger, 77, stepped down as executive director to join his wife, Pat in retirement after 50 years of serving the homeless in Eugene/Springfield.
2011
Executive director Jack Tripp took over the helm of the 7.5 acre, 11 building campus with beds for 400 people each night and serving over 500 meals each day.
2012
Sustainability efforts begin — bees, flower and vegetable gardens, and chicken coops have been established around campus.
2013
The launching of our new Life Change Program – a faith-based, 12-18 month residential relapse prevention/recovery program for men and women – offered free of charge! Our in-house recovery team helps guests get to the root of their addictions, bad choices, and resultant homelessness, providing them with life skills, tools and hope for their future.
2013
Opening of the new, one-level, modern Women and Children’s Center, with beds with a capacity of 85-100.
2015
An expanded focus as a Wellness Center for the Homeless, providing a full range of social service case management to provide our guests long-term solutions out of homelessness. Still loving our neighbors by providing meals – 700+ each day, and beds – 400 each night, free clothing, toiletries, and God’s hope!
2020
Our approach is to address the root causes of homelessness by sharing Hope and by offering programming tailored to the specific needs of our precious guests. We intend to leverage the 7½ acre campus God has blessed us with to address the complex underlying causes of the suffering we see on the streets. We are inviting community partners to serve alongside us on the Eugene Mission campus to meet our guests where they are and to support them with resources, classes, activities, and life skill mentoring as they move toward self-sufficiency. We are developing a revitalization curriculum that addresses the full spectrum of guest wellness. The courses and activities include expanded chapel services and Bible studies, social interactions, health (including addiction recovery), vocational training, and educational advancement. We seek to provide our guests with the tools and framework needed to permanently re-integrate into a healthy community.
2020
We are delighted to announce that on July 6th, we will be officially continue to implement the new 2020 vision to the public and welcoming our first new guests through our new “Rescue Shelter” and transformational programming model.
The significant change will be the new “Path Off the Streets” for our unhoused neighbors. This path begins with access to a 14- day stay in our low barrier Rescue Shelter. The shelter can be accessed at our west campus gate at 2nd and Chambers Street via a 9 a.m. check-in (or lottery) time. The Rescue Shelter stay will be capped at 14 days. A Rescue Shelter guest will have the opportunity for continued shelter and services if the guest seeks admission to our transformational programming.
The next step of a guest’s stay involves transition from the Rescue Shelter to the 21-day Pre-Program in either our Men’s Center or our Women’s Center which will be sober and secure. (Please note there will be a separate check-in procedure and programs for Mothers with Children that can be accessed at the Eugene Mission Women & Children’s Center.)
There is a path for anyone who is willing to work on themselves and who is safe to be a part of our community here at the Eugene Mission. Our Revitalization Programs are welcoming and provide a personalized plan based on the individual’s goals and social, vocational, mental, and physical health challenges. The individualized plans will support our guests in addressing barriers.
2021
The Learning Center was created to accommodate our growing R3 classes and activities, including our Hospitality Program. Daily classes are facilitated by Mission staff and volunteers and the curriculum covers a variety of topics and formats that accommodate interests, mobility, mental health, and work schedules.
2021
In the Eugene Mission’s Hospitality and Culinary Program (HCP), participants acquire important life and vocational skills, including cooking beautiful and healthy meals. They also have the delight of creating gorgeous tablescapes complete with floral centerpieces. Program participants have the joy of putting these skills into action by hosting and catering to visiting community groups.
Through the HCP, participants grow in relationship with Eugene Mission mentors and with community members. Program participants develop a greater understanding of and connection to the greater community as they interact with visiting groups such as Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, Whiteaker Community Council, P.E.O. and the Chamber of Commerce.
What’s most exciting is that program participants change “seats” and go from charity recipient to host. Through their skill-building, participants have the joy of using their gifts to bless others. Program participants can envision themselves hosting meals for their own family and friends upon leaving the Eugene Mission. They can develop and express creativity and caring. They can see themselves as part of the community with gifts to offer others. It is truly transformative for both program participants and for community members whose views of persons experiencing homelessness are often changed forever. May it be to His glory!
2022
The Family Therapeutic Day Use Space was an exciting arrival of the Learning Center. Or lovingly called “The Family Room”. This is a decided wing providing a therapeutic space for residential guests with children, and for guests who have supervised visitation. Many of our female guests are fleeing domestic violence and instability. This space provides a nurturing and de-escalating experience. This is a trauma-informed indoor-outdoor area use to strengthen parenting skills and reduce the trauma of homelessness for vulnerable families.
2022
In 2022 we were able to bring back out Women’s Life Change Program. A faith-based, 12-18 month residential relapse prevention/ recovery program that is free of charge. Women suffering with addiction are able to restore their lives of sobriety, Hope, independence by addressing the complex factors that bring them to the Eugene Mission’s door.
2022
Our culinary training kitchen is a home-economic- style classroom kitchen used for teaching guests the cooking skills they’ll need for self-sufficient living. It also helps guests learn skills for a range of culinary-related jobs and is key to our Hospitality Program.
