A Life Story of Hope
1924
Rev. and Mrs. David Bulkley open the doors of City Union Mission to hundreds of men, women and children.
1933
Rev. Bulkley purchases land near Warsaw, Missouri, and starts Opportunity Farm, a refuge for homeless men. Shortly after, Mrs. Bulkley starts Camp CUMCITO and Tot Lot for poverty-stricken children.
1954
New Executive Director Rev. Maurice Vanderberg develops the Christian Life Program for homeless men. It is the first certifiable rehabilitation program in the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (formerly IUGM).
1960
The Mission moves to two properties: 1601 Admiral Boulevard houses administration, youth and family services, and the Christian Life Program; Seventh and Wyandotte becomes the emergency shelter for men.
1976
The Mission opens its first shelter for women and families.
1977
City Union Mission moves the Men’s Center and administration to 1108 E. 10th Street, where the Men’s Center still resides today.
1985
The Hotline for the Homeless begins, helping the homeless find shelter in agencies across the metro area.
1992
Rev. Dan Doty becomes executive director. One year later, the Mission’s Family Center and Youth Ministry relocate to 1310 Wabash.
2000
A new facility is built to house the New Life Program, a long-term recovery program for homeless women and families.
2005
Plans begin to build a new building across the street from the Men’s Center to house growing number of men on the Christian Life Program.
