Programs That Transform Lives
Our programs are built around a simple but powerful framework: Rescue. Recovery. Restoration. Re-engagement. Whatever you need, a safe place to sleep tonight, a hot meal, shower, fresh clothes, a path out of addiction, or the skills to find meaningful work, there is a place for you here.
Emergency Shelter
A Safe Place When You Need It Most
When the streets feel like the only option, our doors are open. Every evening from 4–6 PM, men in need can check in at our facility at 2800 N. Hillside for secure overnight shelter, hot showers, clean clothing, a great supper, and access to foundational care.
This is where transformation begins. Not with paperwork or programs, but with restoring dignity and sharing a smile. A warm bed. A safe space. The knowledge that someone sees you and cares.
In fiscal year 2026 alone, URM provided 46,135 guest nights of shelter to men in Wichita, an average of 126 men housed every single night.
Hot Meals & Meal Kits
No One Should Go to Bed Hungry
Hunger doesn’t wait, and neither do we. URM serves approximately 250 hot meals every day to men, families, and neighbors facing food insecurity in Wichita. In addition to daily meals served on-site, we distribute nutritious grocery boxes to women, children, single mothers, families, and seniors throughout the community.
In 2026, our team and volunteers served 90,980 meals, including Thanksgiving and Christmas feasts for 400 guests, ensuring that no one at our table goes without.
When you give toward meal sponsorship, you are not just feeding a body. You are opening a door to something greater – you are joining us in being the hands and feet of Christ!
Recovery & Life Change Programs
A Twelve-month Journey from Survival to Transformation
Real change takes time. That’s why we offer the Solid Ground Life Equipping Program, a comprehensive twelve-month residential program designed to transform men from the inside out.
Through structured recovery pathways, participants receive:
- Addiction recovery support – addressing the root causes of substance dependence
- Mental health care – building emotional resilience and stability
- Spiritual growth – Bible study, discipleship, and Christ-centered mentorship
- Transitional housing – a stable environment to practice independent living
This is not a quick fix. It is a proven, deeply personal process that has guided men from the lowest points of their lives into lasting transformation. In 2026, 98 men made decisions for Christ through our programs, each one a life transformed for eternity.
Job Readiness & Re-engagement
Building the Skills To Build a New Life
A transformed life needs a foundation to stand on. Our job readiness program equips men with the practical tools they need to re-enter the workforce and sustain their independence long after leaving our facility.
Participants gain hands-on experience in:
- Computer literacy – navigating the digital tools required in today's workplace
- Resume building – presenting their skills and experience with confidence
- Interview preparation – communicating their story and their value to potential employers
- Direct employment placements – connecting men with real opportunities in the Wichita community
Re-engagement is the final, and perhaps most meaningful, chapter of URM’s mission. When a man secures stable employment, he reclaims not just a paycheck, but his purpose.
Help for Families & Community Outreach
Extending Hope Beyond Our Walls
URM’s impact extends well beyond the men who sleep in our shelter and are being equipped in our programs. Through our community outreach programs, we serve women, children, single mothers, seniors, and families across Wichita who are facing hunger and hardship.
In 2026, our team distributed 521 food boxes to community members in need of practical, tangible care that reflects the heart of our mission. We believe that transforming a community means serving the whole community.
None of this happens without the 376 volunteers who gave 5,425 hours of their time in fiscal year 2026. Their presence reminds every person we serve that they are not forgotten.
The Numbers Behind the Mission
These are not just statistics. Each number represents a man, a meal, a moment that changed the course of someone’s life.
men served in fiscal year 2026
Meals Served
Guest Nights
Decisions for Christ as Lord and Savior
food boxes distributed
volunteer hours & 376 volunteers
URM is funded entirely through the generosity of over 6,000 individuals, churches, and businesses in the Wichita community. We have no loan payments, which means every dollar given goes directly toward transforming lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who does URM Wichita serve?
URM primarily serves men experiencing homelessness, addiction, and poverty in Wichita, KS. Our community outreach programs also extend care to women, children, families, single mothers, and seniors facing hunger and hardship.
How do I access emergency shelter?
Men seeking emergency shelter can check in at our facility at 2800 N. Hillside between 4–6 PM daily – supper is served at 5 PM. No appointment is necessary. Our team is ready to welcome you and walk you through next steps.
Are URM's services free?
Yes. URM does not charge overnight guests for any of its services. We are funded entirely by the generosity of our community, which allows us to remain fully Christ-centered in everything we do.
How long is the recovery program?
The Solid Ground Life Equipping Program is a nine-month residential program. It is designed to provide the time and structure necessary for genuine, lasting transformation — not just short-term relief.
How can I support URM's programs?
There are many ways to make a difference. You can make a general donation, sponsor a meal or a night of shelter, volunteer your time, or give in-kind gifts from our wish list. Every act of generosity directly transforms lives in Wichita.
Every Life Can Be Transformed
No matter how far someone has fallen, we believe no life is beyond reach. For over 75 years, Union Rescue Mission Wichita has stood as a place where darkness gives way to hope — where men who have lost everything find shelter, healing, purpose, and a future. All are made in the image of God and are of infinite worth.
Whether you need help tonight or want to help someone else find their way forward, there is a place for you in this mission.
