Yakima Union Gospel Mission To Start Garbage Cleanup Program

The Executive Director of the Yakima Union Gospel mission says he's determined to improve the areas around the mission on North First Street. Mike Johnson says they're starting a new 13 week program this spring for those living at the mission. People in the program will be assigned an area along North First Street to clean up twice a week.

They'll also be required to sit through group therapy sessions to help get their lives back on track. Johnson says in exchange. "They'll get a voucher, not cash that they can redeem at a local merchant. So the local merchants get a little money coming back to them."
Johnson says the program will help clean up areas along North First while teaching valuable life skills to those in the program. He says in 2019 the mission is looking for ways to become a great neighbor to businesses located near the Yakima Union Gospel Mission.