Yakima, WA — October 3, 2025— In an effort to shift public perception around homelessness and offer raw, unscripted moments of human connection, Yakima Union Gospel Mission will host a 24-hour event called Conversations on a Bench on October 9th and 10th at Millenium Plaza. The initiative is part of a nationwide campaign led by Citygate Network, a faith-based association of rescue missions and life-transformation ministries across North America.
For one full day, Scott Thielen, CEO of Yakima Union Gospel Mission will sit on a bench livestreaming one-on-one conversations with community members – ranging from local leaders and donors to former program participants and curious passersby. The bench becomes a platform for truth-telling, healing, and hope.
“Every person has a story, and every story matters,” said Thielen. “This event invites people to see past stereotypes and engage with the reality of what it means to experience—and overcome—homelessness.”
The livestream will be accessible on Facebook and Youtube, and the public is invited to watch, participate in person, or submit questions online.
This local effort is part of a coordinated movement, with more than 100 ministry CEOs participating in similar events across North America on October 9–10, 2025.
For more information, livestream access, or donation opportunities, visit yugm.org. To watch the livestream and submit questions in real time, join us on Facebook, YouTube, or your preferred platform: yugm.org/conversations
