UGM receives estate gift, buys neighboring apartments

COEUR d’ALENE — The Union Gospel Mission Center for Women and Children is expanding its campus to provide safe, affordable housing for residents completing the long-term recovery program.

UGM announced Friday that a gift from the estate of David Dennler made it possible for the nonprofit, located at 196 W. Haycraft Ave., to purchase the three neighboring four-unit apartment buildings.

"When we were building the building (the Center for Women and Children), I remember standing up on the second floor and saying, 'God, it would be great some day if that could be a part of our campus,'" said UGM executive director Phil Altmeyer. "It's been in the back of our minds for quite some time."

The gift was in excess of $1 million, said Altmeyer, who knew the late Dennler well.

"To know his heart and what this gift is going for, I know he would be so pleased," Altmeyer said. "For North Idaho, this is one of the largest gifts we've received."

It’s exciting news for residents who will be looking for housing when they graduate, especially considering the scarcity of affordable housing in the area.

Christi McEvers, who moved into the center with her two young kids in May 2016, said she’s pretty much just waiting to find a place before she's on her own again.

"The cool thing about UGM is they create safe bubbles for us to heal in," McEvers said. "I get to do life on my own, but I have the security right there if I need it.

"This is going to be like training wheels."

Altmeyer said residents now living in the apartments will be able to stay through their leases. UGM is working with them for smooth transitions.

An important part of the gift is the ability UGM will have to stay in close contact with recent graduates to help them reach the 5-year mark in their sobriety.

"One of the things that is true when you study addiction, an individual that stays in their recovery actively for five years, statistics say 85 percent will be successful," Altmeyer said. "The biggest challenge is when they move out … all of a sudden the lack of accountability can lead them to relapse.”

But, with the acquisition of the apartments, the grads have a safety net, a community that cares about their health and people they can trust, right next door.

"It's a perfect scenario, if you think about it," Altmeyer said.

Community engagement coordinator Linda Cook said the gift "reflects the heart of an extremely philanthropic community."

"This is such an astounding gift. It's an incredible blessing," she said.

"I think the community is going to be glad that we can continue this deep work into their lives so they're productive members of society," Cook said. "Everybody wins if people who need it are helped back to productivity."

The housing will maintain UGM’s clean-and-sober policy. Residents will pay rent and continue to be accountable to UGM staff.

"Low-cost housing in Coeur d’Alene is hard to find,” Altmeyer said in a press release, “so we’re excited to be able to provide a cohesive recovery experience from the minute women come off the street into our program until they return to society as God-dependent, contributing members. These apartments will be key to providing the healthy, ongoing support our residents need."

Info: www1.uniongospelmission.org