Churches United in Ministry

OUR HISTORY
Churches United in Ministry-originally called Central Hillside United Ministry-began in 1973 when 10
Central Hillside congregations pooled their resources to assist low-income people living in Duluth’s
Central Hillside neighborhood. CHUM was one of the first large scale, ecumenically sponsored human
service agencies organized in the United States. CHUM’s first programs were the Summer Center
(children’s activities); Friends (visiting homebound older adults); and CHUM Church (spiritual nurture for
adults with developmental disabilities).

The Friends Program later became Telecare Friends, while the Summer Center was discontinued to
avoid duplication with emerging year round programs. In 1981 the Food Shelf opened; the Drop-In
Center and Emergency Shelter programs were created in 1982.

By the mid 90's, CHUM programs were providing services and receiving support from congregations
throughout Duluth. On March 21, 1994, the agency changed its name to Churches United in Ministry.

The first Family Shelter apartment opened in 1994. A Family Stabilization Advocate was hired in 1997.
The new Drop-In Center and Congregate Shelter were completed in 1998/1999. In 2000, Street Case
Management for Chronic Alcoholics and CHUMWorks, a subsidiary nonprofit of CHUM, were launched.

In February 2001, CHUM’s Board of Directors adopted a Multi-Year Plan to address major community
including outreach to communities of faith, health and wellness, and the development of more units of
affordable housing in Duluth. The Gabriel Project (2001), the Housing Stabilization Program (2002) and
the Nurse Clinic (2002) address concerns raised in the Multi-Year Plan.

CHUM is governed by a Delegate Assembly representing its sponsoring congregations and the
community at large. A Board of Directors drawn from the Delegate Assembly meets monthly. CHUM
operates with the smallest number of staff compatible with good program service. Each year
approximately 200 volunteers donate their time and expertise to CHUM’s committees and direct service
programs. Hundreds of others participate in one-time activities like food drives or serving evening meals.

CHUM provides emergency food and shelter, advocacy, case management, housing stabilization and
outreach to over 7,000 different men, woman and children each year. These programs are funded by
contributions from individuals, churches, businesses and civic groups; grants from foundations and
government; and the United Way of Greater Duluth.

Chester Park United Methodist, Concordia Lutheran, Duluth Congregational, Duluth-Superior Friends
Meeting, Eastridge Community, Family of God Lutheran, First Lutheran, First Unitarian Universalist,
First United Methodist, French River Lutheran, Glen Avon Presbyterian, Gloria Dei Lutheran, Hillside
United Methodist, Holy Cross Lutheran, Holy Family Catholic, Hope United Methodist, Kenwood
Lutheran, Lakeside Presbyterian, Lester Park United Methodist, Lutheran Church of the Good
Shepherd, Our Savior's Lutheran, Peace United Church of Christ, Pilgrim Congregational United
Church of Christ, St. Andrew by the Lake Episcopal, St. Benedict's Catholic, St. John's Catholic, St.
Mark African Methodist Episcopal, St. Michael's Catholic, St. Paul's Episcopal, St. Scholastica
Benedictine Monastery, Trinity Lutheran, United Baptist Christian, Unitarian Universalist Congregation
of Duluth