Who We Are

The Mission

With unwavering resolve, we share God’s redemptive power to transform pain into purpose, heal brokenness, and inspire faith that can reclaim beauty from brokenness for those who have been shattered by homelessness, trauma, addiction, and mental health crisis.

Vision

Through personal storytelling, creative arts, and artists, the stories ignite compassion, challenge stigma, and inspire community-driven solutions. We empower individuals to rediscover their strengths, foster connections, and advocate for a world where everyone has a place to call home.
Creed
We have witnessed the power of personal storytelling from the homeless community as a profound tool in recognizing their inherent dignity and affirming their creation in the image of the God of all creation. Through their narratives, we are invited into the depths of their experiences, struggles, and triumphs, which not only humanize them but also illuminate our shared experiences. Through the raw, unfiltered narratives of their struggles, and hopes, these stories humanize a demographic often marginalized and overlooked by society.

Such stories challenge societal stereotypes and break down the walls of indifference, compelling us to see the homeless not as distant others, but as fellow sojourners. This recognition fosters a profound sense of empathy and solidarity, urging us to respond with compassion, respect, and a commitment to justice. By listening to and valuing their stories, we affirm that every person, regardless of their circumstances, carries within them a sacred worth that mirrors the infinite love and creativity of the God who created us all.

Creating Awareness so we all see the humanity in those struggling with homelessness

Core Values

Servant Leadership

Dedicated to finding common ground by coming alongside the invisible people and intrinsic struggles within marginalized communities where our neighbors are struggling through homelessness, addiction, mental illness, disabilities, and reintegration.

Sanctuary

Healing the trauma that homelessness and addiction perpetuates, with God-inspired experiences. By hosting soothing nature-inspired retreats we provide that critical separation from the day-to-day operations and provide a healing time a that invokes openness, honesty and vulnerability from participants and volunteers who can share similar stories and experiences; and begin to put back together those broken places in their lives.

Broad Awareness Platforms

By amplifying the voices of those we intend to serve and sharing their stories of brokenness through media, television and music, we bring attention to the core [internal] struggles and challenges faced by those in our communities who are hurting. Communicating with vulnerability the story of what leads a person to the traumatic path of homelessness and addiction and inhibits the ability to successfully manage mainstream cultural norms.

Collaboration

By engaging missions, recovery centers, the creative community, like-minded organizations, and mainstream media to build content that avoids exploitation; but rather gives way for participants to access the freedom that comes from sharing their reality so that it becomes purposeful.

Advocate

By offering solutions that address the most pressing and fundamental obstacles of those experiencing homelessness, addiction, trauma and mental health crisis. Developing resources that provide financial aid, jobs, housing and resources that will help lift participants out of homelessness and poverty. Providing practical awareness tools that will aid any person who cares to be able to help in some meaningful way.

Story

We believe in the power of story to heal the individual and to inspire others.

Unwavering Resolve

Dedication to creating a world where every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the support they need to thrive so they can move from homelessness to self-sufficiency through following a recovery process and receiving the help of those providing wrap-around services. Desiring real reform, we believe that homelessness should be addressed primarily as a mental and behavioral health issue, rather than simply a housing issue. (The Discovery Institute report)

Faith

Our faith is based on the Nicene Creed and guided by Scripture.
Strategies
Retreats

A safe place where dignity, compassion, generosity, and humility are modeled. A place where stories are heard and captured.

The retreats are facilitated with various rescue missions and those serving the needs in our homeless community.

UR collaborates with them so that the right people attend who are prepared to tell their stories.

Teaching and various activities reinforce the value, dignity, and purpose of each participant.
Music/Songs

Songs written by leading artists/writers that are inspired by and reflective of the life stories of the participants at the retreat.

The new music is archived and presented on UR’s new website, its social media platforms, through other partner streaming platforms, and on other platforms of the Citygate Network member websites and those of the organizations doing this valuable work around North America.
Films

Working with successful like-minded people, producers, and film companies to present Encouraging Stories.
TV series, documentaries, and Specials

Telling the individual’s story that inspired the song.
Events

Other gatherings that bring awareness and inspire action, including tours, conference presentations, collaboration with various church and like-minded ministry organization to present special events with purpose, as well as industry partners (content companies, labels, publishers, influencers, etc.)
Collaborative

By working with others on each task in a collaborative manner we achieve together what cannot be done with as much impact individually. Our relationship with Citygate Network demonstrates our commitment to each other and to this collaborative model.
Leadership

Board of Directors

President: Bruce Koblish

Vice President: Amy Grant

Secretary: Carrie Gatlin

Treasurer: Loren Balman
Collaborators

Collaboration, defined as like-minded organizations uniting for a shared purpose, is crucial now more than ever. Instead of dividing our efforts, UR aims to merge them for the greatest impact on the poor, homeless, and broken, ensuring the best return for our donors who give in service to God and His Kingdom. As more partners join, we envision a harmonious community dedicated to serving the body of Christ.

From Awareness to Action!

Citygate Network

Citygate Network is the oldest and largest community of independent faith-based crisis shelters and life transformation centers in North America with 300+ members. Citygate is a significant partner for UR, especially with Hope In The Gate retreats and content development and distribution.

Mission: Citygate Network exists to provide the vision, education, training, resources, guidance, representation, and nexus for missions and kindred ministries that are moving people in destitute conditions or desperate situations from human suffering to human flourishing through the process ofgospel-powered life transformation.

citygatenetwork.org

Hidden Trace Farm

Amy generously donates the use of her farm for Hope In The Gate Retreats as well as others like Barefoot Republic. As she says, it’s her 5 loaves and 2 fishes. We are grateful that she is also a Board member and comes to the retreats whenever she is in town.

amygrant.com

The Gravity Foundation

The Gravity Foundation is truly a “sister organization”. Its mission is twofold: to create, steward, and offer worship music and art to God and His Church without the worldly constraints of ownership and profit-making, and to use its net asset to support ministries whose mission is to serve the needy.

One Move Media

Jenny Gill and One Move Media has shot all of the videos you see on UR.

ShowerUp

ShowerUp serves those experiencing homelessness and anyone in need by providing mobile showers, hygiene resources, and personal care. Beginning in 2024 they are providing their services for each of our Hope In The Gate retreats held at Hidden Trace Farm.

showerup.org/nashville