On Thursday, November 28, 2024, Union Gospel Mission (UGM) was notified that a concerning video with an individual stating to be a volunteer at UGM was circulating on several social media platforms. The video has caused alarm and concern, and we are addressing it with the utmost seriousness.
The safety of the women and families we serve is our highest priority and we want to assure our valued community including those we serve, those who support us and the general public, that we have taken immediate action.
Once this video was brought to the attention of UGM, the individual involved was immediately suspended and a thorough investigation was also launched by our People & Culture (HR) Department.
The individual in this video is employed by UGM and does not work directly in our Women’s Shelter or within any of our women specific programming, but in the kitchen, occasionally serving the Women & Families Centre. In his role as a non-program employee, this individual did not work directly with the women and children in our programs, and has never been in the position of being unsupervised with any of our tenants or program participants at the Women & Families Centre.
The behaviors displayed in the video are completely inconsistent with UGM’s core values and the standards we uphold. Safety and respect are paramount in all our interactions, and the conduct shown in the video does not align with the care and professionalism we strive for.
While this incident did not occur onsite at Union Gospel Mission’s Women & Families Centre or our other locations; we are dedicated to upholding the high standards of care and professionalism expected of our team.
We thank those who have brought this to our attention with diligence and urgency. If you have further questions, please reach out to Nicole Mucci, Manager of Communications & Media Relations at nmucci@ugm.ca.
