COEUR d’ALENE — Miranda Newell doesn’t use many words to describe what Union Gospel Mission means to her.

“Total redemption," she said.

Today, Newell lives at UGM’s recently renovated Dennler Apartments in Coeur d’Alene. She speaks with confidence, smiles often and displays pride as she talks about overcoming addictions and relying on others.

“If it wasn’t my family, it was men,” she said.

But the former Silver Valley resident set a new course when she left an unhealthy relationship and turned to UGM for help a few years ago.

“They surround with you with godly people, with people who want to see you succeed, to see your worth. They love you when you can’t love yourself," Newell said.

She lives with a roommate in a clean and cozy, two-bedroom unit, and plans to transition out on her own. She has earned her nursing assistant certification and is looking forward to a career in health care.

“Now I can say I’m actually working at the hospital I once went to, “ she said, laughing. “Now I get to be a part of that.”

About 200 people attended UGM’s "Housing Hope: A Celebration of Success" that marked the renovation of its 12 units in Coeur d’Alene, and honoring the sponsors who funded the improvements.

There was music, a barbecue, tours of the well-kept apartments and a chance to chat with some of the residents who graduated from UGM’s 18-month program. Balloons and streams fluttered in the wind on a warm evening.

When the UGM Center for Women and Children bought the three fourplex buildings on Haycraft Avenue about 2 1/2 years ago for $1.3 million, in what was described as a "miracle," they were in “pretty tough shape.”

Sponsors donated $10,000 each for the renovation in the secured community.

Linda Cook, UGM spokeswoman, said she has seen the changes in women after being in the UGM faith-based program. They develop a new outlook, a new attitude, a new hope.

She said it’s important residents have a safe, inviting place to call home. That's why the renovation of new paint, flooring, fixtures and more was critical.

“You take a woman whose self esteem is really battered and it tells her what she’s worth, and you can see from the way the apartments are kept that it really boosts them, and that’s so much what we’re about,” she said.

One of the sponsors was Mountain West Bank.

“It’s never been more evident where there’s been opportunities for us to help, to serve, where the needs are surfacing in our community,” said Scott Anderson, Mountain West Bank president and CEO. “This is a legacy organization and we're delighted to partner with them.”

Pat Krug said she wanted to be a sponsor of the renovation of the UGM’s Dennler Apartments “because of the work that they do and the success that they have. These women coming out of this program, they need stability. And there’s stability and community here.”

JoAnn Zajicek, center director, said she loves telling people what she does.

“I get to partner with God and this community in bringing transformation to women, children and families,” she said during a short speech. ‘What a powerful thing that we get to watch God transform lives.”

She said women of all walks of life come to UGM feeling hopeless, discouraged, broken and desperate. UGM helps through counseling, vocational training, work ethic, recreational activities — giving them an opportunity to believe in themselves.

“We have a saying at UGM. ‘Real people, real change.’ That’s what we’re doing,” Zajicek said.

Sandra Chaves graduated with UGM in 2019 and has been living at the Coeur d’Alene site for about a year. Rent is 30% of her income.

She said being around women who have faced similar challenges gives all of them, together, a chance to support and love each other.

UGM, Chaves said, has been "a godsend."

“They have changed my life. They have changed my purpose."