WCCO Interrupt Homelessness Radiothon 2025
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, we will hold the 23rd Annual Interrupt Homelessness Radiothon to benefit those served by the Mission! WCCO AM 830 will broadcast live from the Mall of America Rotunda from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On-air hosts will sit down with residents, volunteers and staff to share real stories of hope, healing and transformation. Together, we’ll raise critical funds for meals, safe shelter and the holistic care that helps interrupt the cycle of homelessness.
YOU can make a direct impact!
- Tune in live to WCCO 830 AM from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on November 18.
- Donate during the event. Your gift helps interrupt homelessness right here in our community. Matching opportunities will help us reach our goal of $375,000.
- Volunteer to answer phones and take donations. Sign up here.
- Join us in person at the Mall of America to watch all the excitement live.
Mark your calendar. We don’t want you to miss it. Together, we can interrupt homelessness in the Twin Cities!
WCCO Interrupt Homelessness Radiothon 2025 Recap
On Tuesday, November 18, 2025, WCCO830 and UGMTC held the 22nd Annual Hunger Mission Radiothon to benefit those served by the Mission. WCCO AM830 broadcast the event live from the Mall of America’s rotunda from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar
Education
Lisa Michaelson, Vice President of Women’s and Children’s Programs, shares about Education at UGMTC. She emphasizes the Mission’s efforts to help individuals achieve self-sufficiency through education and career goals. They address basic needs, provide early childhood education, and remove barriers to learning. Success stories highlight mothers achieving educational milestones and creating better futures for their families. The Child Development Center at UGMTC, provides high-quality early childhood education to children aged six weeks to kindergarten. She emphasizes the importance of breaking cycles of poverty and homelessness through early education. From The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025.
Justin, a resident at the Christ Recovery Center, shared his journey from a bachelor’s degree at Minnesota State University to struggling with alcoholism, which led to multiple hospitalizations and detoxes. Despite attending seven treatment centers, his addiction persisted. Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, specifically the Christ Recovery Center, provided the spiritual and community support he needed to find peace and humility. Justin is now pursuing a career as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and is a chemical dependency technician at CRC. His transformation is inspired by the alumni and staff who have also overcome addiction, leading him to a new path of helping others. From The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Mission Overview
Pam Stegora Axberg, CEO of Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, discussed the Mission’s efforts to address homelessness. She highlighted a 24-hour community engagement event and the Mission’s holistic approach, including meals, shelter, mental health support, and financial literacy. The Mission is expanding with a $14 million project to add 60 beds and more facilities. 94% of their revenue comes from donations, with 6,000 volunteers providing essential services. The Mission aims to help individuals achieve stable housing, with 98% of women exiting their programs into safe housing. Donations are crucial for their operations. From The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Chris shared his transformative journey from homelessness and addiction to sobriety and success, crediting the Christ Recovery Center and Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities. He described his life before the Mission as hopeless, lacking basic documents and resources. The Mission provided him with essentials, including IDs and a warm bed, and supported his recovery spiritually, mentally, and physically. Chris celebrated 18 months of sobriety and is pursuing a degree in Alcohol and Drug Counseling. He emphasized the Mission’s impact on his life and his passion to help others, encouraging listeners to support the Mission during the radiothon. From The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Faith Formation
Sammy Watkins, Director of Chaplains, from Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities discusses their approach to helping individuals through faith and support services. He emphasizes a slow, strategic method called the “crock pot approach” to build trust and relationships, aiming to introduce people to Christ. Sammy shares success stories, like a man from Louisiana who completed a 42-day treatment program and is now connected with a local church. He also highlights outreach efforts, including 505 visits to encampments in the last fiscal year, providing hygiene kits and personal connections. From The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Chad, an alum of the Christ Recovery Center, shared his journey from losing his parents to homelessness in 2016. He found refuge at the Union Gospel Mission and later joined the Christ Recovery Center. Chad completed the program, became a CD tech intern, and now works as a certified peer recovery specialist at Amethyst Recovery Solutions. He emphasized the importance of connection in recovery and his ongoing involvement with the Mission. From The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
The Adam & Jordana Show
Mental Health
Gina Landsee, Assistant Clinical Director for mental health at Union Gospel Mission, discussed the comprehensive mental health services provided to the unhoused population, including addressing addiction, trauma, and various mental health conditions. The Mission employs a holistic approach, ensuring basic needs are met before delving into mental health treatment. They offer individual and group therapy, EMDR for PTSD, and canine therapy. Despite a four-to-one donation match, the Mission faces funding challenges, particularly the need for more clinicians. Over 6,500 mental health appointments were provided free of charge in 2025, impacting 500 men through social work and case management. From Adam and Jordana by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Kory, a resident of the ACTS Training Program, shared his journey of mental health struggles, felony conviction, and eventual recovery through medication and the Union Gospel Mission’s support. He emphasized the Mission’s comprehensive services, including psychotherapy, canine therapy, job training, and spiritual guidance. From Adam and Jordana by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Men’s Emergency Services
Isaac Lee, Director of Emergency Services at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, discussing their efforts to address homelessness. Lee emphasized the importance of emergency services, including beds, food, clothing, and showers, and highlighted the Mission’s trauma-informed approach to create a welcoming environment. The Mission operates at 99-100% capacity, with a staff-to-guest ratio of 1:100. Lee shared a success story about a guest who received comprehensive support and found housing. From Adam and Jordana by © 2025 Audacy, Inc. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Simon, a resident of the ACTS Training Program at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, shared his journey of homelessness and recovery. Simon initially completed the ACTS program but faced challenges in New Orleans, returning to the program with support from staff. He praised the holistic support, including job training and mental health services. Simon aims to become a lawyer, driven by a desire to help others. From Adam and Jordana by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Christ Recovery Center
Kyle Schweitz, Program Director at the Christ Recovery Center (CRC), shared his transformative journey from a client in 2009 to a staff member. He highlighted the CRC’s unique alumni network and its staff-to-resident ratio, emphasizing the crucial role of volunteers. Kyle discussed his struggle with substance use disorder and how the CRC’s long-term, comprehensive program, including faith-based and mental health support, helped him achieve sobriety. He recounted a miraculous recovery of a man initially deemed a lost cause, now celebrating a year of sobriety. The program’s success is attributed to its holistic approach and commitment to helping individuals regardless of their readiness for spiritual aspects. From Adam and Jordana by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Tony, a resident at the Christ Recovery Center, shared his journey from homelessness and addiction to recovery. He highlighted the center’s hospitality and comprehensive support, including mental health services and educational programs. Tony overcame his addiction, was diagnosed with stage one lung cancer, and is now a licensed barber in Minnesota. He emphasized the importance of perseverance and gratitude, crediting the center and the Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities for his transformation. Tony encouraged listeners not to give up, as there is hope and support available for those in need. From Adam and Jordana by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
The Chad Hartman Show
Food Services
Jay Hill, the Director of Food Services, detailed their efforts to provide 250,000 nutritious meals, emphasizing quality and community. Jay shared his personal connection to the Mission, stressing the importance of volunteers and the transformative power of their work. From Chad Hartman by © 2025 Audacy, Inc. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Carolyn, a dedicated volunteer at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities for over a decade, shared her passion for serving others. She found her niche in the kitchen, particularly on Sunday mornings, and emphasized the Mission’s flexibility in accommodating volunteers’ schedules. Carolyn highlighted the Mission’s significant impact, noting they provide 260,000 meals annually, 12,000 Thanksgiving meals, and over 125,000 nights of safe shelter. She expressed joy in seeing individuals turn their lives around and stressed the importance of donations, which provide hope and support to those in need. Carolyn’s husband, Steve, also volunteers, though he requires more direction in the kitchen. From Chad Hartman by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Naomi Family Program
Heidi Hall discusses the Naomi Family Program at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities. The program provides comprehensive support for mothers and children, including addiction counseling, mental health therapy, faith guidance, and case management. Heidi emphasized the program’s success in transforming lives, supporting entire families, and fostering community. She shared stories of resilient mothers and the impact of the program on families. From Chad Hartman by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Dominique, an alum of the Naomi Family Program, shared her transformative journey with the Naomi Family Program at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities. She arrived in November 2024 after struggling with other programs that lacked the support she needed. Naomi’s provided a structured environment, helping her overcome her chemical dependency and trauma. Dominique highlighted the program’s comprehensive support, including housing, mental preparation, and care for her children. She emphasized the importance of donations, noting that her life and her children’s lives were significantly improved. Dominique now facilitates classes and supports other women, expressing gratitude for the program’s role in her personal and professional growth. From Chad Hartman by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Volunteering
Sarah Peterka, Director of Community Relations, highlighted that 95% of UGMTC’s $14.8 million budget comes from individual donors, foundations, congregations, and corporations. The Mission provides comprehensive services, including food, lodging, education, and addiction support. Sarah shared inspiring stories, such as the Erickson family volunteering to honor their father. She shared the many ways to volunteer at UGMTC. From Chad Hartman by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Rochelle, a nine-year volunteer, shared her personal story of her son’s recovery and the transformative power of the Mission. She emphasized the importance of donations in providing life skills and transforming lives. From Chad Hartman by © 2025 Audacy, Inc.. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Drivetime with Jason DeRusha
ACTS Training Program
Matt Deitner, Director of the ACTS Training Program at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, discussed the program’s focus on accountability, consistency, thankfulness, and self-awareness, aiming to increase faith, wellbeing, community involvement, and financial stability. The program also offers financial literacy and mental health services. Success stories highlighted the program’s effectiveness in providing permanent solutions for homelessness. From Drivetime with DeRusha by © 2025 Audacy, Inc. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Roger, a resident in the ACTS Training Program, shared his journey from homelessness in Texas to finding guidance and recovery at the Mission. He praised the program’s personalized approach and the dedication of staff, which helped him overcome addiction and gain new skills. Roger expressed his desire for self-sufficiency and thanked donors for their support, emphasizing the transformative impact of the Mission’s services. From Drivetime with DeRusha by © 2025 Audacy, Inc. Released: 2022. Genre: Podcast.
Support Services
Mary Seabloom, Director of Mental Health and Support Services, detailed the Mission’s wrap-around services, including helping individuals obtain essential documents like birth certificates and driver’s licenses. She highlighted the compassionate support provided, including mental health counseling and partnerships with county services. From Drivetime with DeRusha by © 2025 Audacy, Inc. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Leo, a Housing Plus program resident, shared his transformative journey at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, highlighting the Mission’s 87% success rate in providing safe and stable housing. Leo credited the Mission for saving his life, providing therapy, and helping him regain his identity. He emphasized the importance of community support and gratitude. From Drivetime with DeRusha by © 2025 Audacy, Inc. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Veteran & Housing Plus Programs
Ivor Brathwaite, Program Manager at Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities, discusses the intensive life skills training for men, including budgeting, anger management, and job skills. The Veterans Housing Program offers tailored support for veterans, emphasizing the importance of community and personal growth. From Drivetime with DeRusha by © 2025 Audacy, Inc. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.
Ervin, an alum, shared his journey from Texas to Minnesota, where he benefited from the Veterans Housing Program. He emphasized the Mission’s support in overcoming depression and securing housing. From Drivetime with DeRusha by © 2025 Audacy, Inc. Released: 2025. Genre: Podcast.