The Story of UMOM

UMOM New Day Centers began in the hearts of people who knew they could do more for those who had less.

1964: members of the Desert Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church (back then called the Arizona Methodist Church Extension Society) created what would come to be known as United Methodist Outreach Ministries or UMOM.

The early work of this faithful group was ‘urban-centered ministries’ that included relief for transients and backyard playgrounds for impoverished neighborhoods.

1973: the ministry is renamed Metropolitan Phoenix Council (MEPCO) and expanded its programs.

1985: MEPCO becomes United Methodist Outreach Ministries (UMOM) and was incorporated as a nonprofit agency.

1987: On Christmas Eve, UMOM begins managing an overflow emergency shelter in response to a call from Governor Rose Mofford.

1992: The UMOM New Day Center family shelter opens at the site of the old Sands Motel near 32nd Street and Van Buren.

2007: YWCA’s Haven House merges with UMOM to increase overall shelter capacity.

2009: UMOM New Day Center’s new main campus opens.

2010: Legacy Crossing opens with 140 new units of affordable permanent housing.

2011: Wellness Center, licensed through Phoenix Children’s Hospital, opens on the main New Day Centers campus.
Midwestern Medical University offers vision and dental screening on the main campus.
UMOM begins providing affordable housing and services to military Veterans and their families.

2014: Family Housing Hub launches. The 11-agency partnership coordinates services for homeless people.
Helpings Café, UMOM’s first social enterprise business, opens. Offers great food, along with barista, culinary and management training.

2016: Parson’s Village opens, offering 48 new units of affordable/supportive housing.
UMOM partners with St. Joseph the Worker to provide job opportunities to people experiencing homelessness.

2017: The Diane and Bruce Halle Women’s Center, Arizona’s first shelter solely for single women experiencing homelessness, opens in Phoenix.