Rev. Micheal Elliot helps provide shelter from the storm.

Hannah Gaber Saletan

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It began in 1936 with one small building where homeless people could find a clean place to sleep, but since Micheal’s arrival in 1987, Union Mission has grown into a social services umbrella that covers 13 buildings around Chatham County - including its own hospitals, an organic garden and its jewel culinary training program/popular lunch spot, Starfish Café.

This CEO prefers the term “non-profit management organization” over “charity” and is known for his radical practice of running Union Mission like a business.

“To end homelessness, you’re going have to buy your way out. We get people employable to the extent that they’re able.”

Though his clientele is mostly unskilled and often mentally ill, the emphasis is placed on “making everyone’s days productive. Everyone, no matter how broken, has worth.”

Weekends, the good reverend is does his best to be just another Tybee beach bum.

Favorite part of wearing skirt? I like embodying the wisdom that clothes don’t make a person; meaning you can’t judge someone by what they’re wearing. But I look good, don’t I?

Favorite about reading skirt!? The feminine, feminist perspective is a fresh way of looking at this community.