Tri-City Union Gospel Mission plans Feb. 29 fundraiser, looking to expand women’s shelter

Chariss Warner often has to turn women away from the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission.

It pains her. She doesn’t like it.

But Warner, director of women’s and children’s services for the nonprofit, doesn’t have much of a choice.

It’s about safety and capacity, she said.

However, an upcoming event aims to help the mission avoid that tough reality by raising money for an expansion.

The “Leaping Through the Looking Glass” fundraiser is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at Bethel West Pasco, 5202 Outlet Drive. Tickets are $65.

Proceeds will help with a women’s shelter expansion.

The mission, which dates to the 1950s, has separate facilities for men and for women/children. They’re next door to each other in downtown Pasco.

Officials plan to build a new men’s facility close by. It’s expected to be done next year.

When it is, the mission will remodel the existing men’s facility into an emergency shelter for women and children.

That will add more beds — the current women and children’s shelter has a capacity of 32.

It also means there will be space for the mission to help women it now must turn away, including those who come in under the influence or with mental health issues that make it unsafe for them to be housed right next to children.

Warner said she turns away about 10 women a week for that reason.

“We want to be able to help them, to find them a safe place to sleep for the night,” she said, adding that from there the mission can help them get back on their feet.

The fundraiser also will help the mission add a trauma-focused counselor to the staff.

The event includes dinner and silent and live auctions. Officials also will present their strategic plan for women’s and children’s services for the next few years.

Andrew Porter, executive director, said there’s a clear need for the shelter expansion and the trauma-focused counselor.

Those who attend the fundraiser will be helping his group make a difference, he said.

“This will let us serve a segment of the population we haven’t been able to serve before. This allows us to expand on helping women in the community,” he said.

Tickets are still available. To purchase, go to www.tinyurl.com/tcugmfundraiser.

This story was originally published February 15, 2016 at 9:36 PM with the headline "Tri-City Union Gospel Mission plans Feb. 29 fundraiser, looking to expand women’s shelter."