One hundred years is a long time to be in business or serve others. The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) is proud to celebrate its 101st anniversary this year. Out of curiosity, I decided to research some of the other businesses and nonprofits that have been around for a century or more and what they have accomplished during that time.

In the past 100 years, United Parcel Service (UPS) transformed itself from a single-city bicycle messenger company into one of the world’s largest transportation and logistics companies with more than 400,000 employees. The Boy Scouts of America just celebrated its 100th year of serving local communities and the nation. The U.S. Army Reserve has served with honor and strength in every major military and humanitarian engagement since 1908. And the National Urban League is celebrating 100 years of serving on the forefront of the civil rights movement.

The Detroit Rescue Mission also has a rich history of serving the community. Since 1909, DRMM has provided hope for the hopeless, shelter for the homeless, food for the hungry, and help for the addicted. We motivate the disadvantaged to rebuild their lives. And we minister to the total person: body, soul and spirit. Of course, none of this is possible without the love of God.

Just like the other organizations and companies that have reached — or surpassed — the century mark, DRMM has devoted countless hours and a wealth of resources to our mission. That mission is to meet the basic needs of humanity, while helping individuals turn around their lives. Unfortunately these needs in the community will not go away in the next 100 years. We’re proud of how far we’ve come. And we’re prepared to continue our work for a long time to come.