The loss of two sons sent Walter into a downward spiral. Taking his own life seemed like the only option until he found lifesaving help and life-changing hope at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM).

Walter stood in the doorway of DRMM, knowing he desperately needed help, but not knowing how he could possibly begin again.

He’d lost everything. He had no home, no job. No hope.

It wasn’t drugs, alcohol, or a medical crisis that had wiped him out. It was a broken heart after the death of two sons.

Blind with grief and filled with a deep emotional hurt, Walter’s life had lost all direction and purpose. That’s when a caring friend brought him to DRMM. She knew that only the love and mercy of Christ could heal Walter’s deep wounds, and that our caring staff would help restore his faith and rebuild his shattered life.

Thanks to the support of generous friends, DRMM was immediately able to help

We offered Walter a good meal, emergency shelter, and—most important—the chance to talk and pray about his devastating loss.

It took some time before Walter could believe that God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3) and to trust “that in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28). But time and faith have worked much healing in Walter’s heart, filling him with the courage to begin again.

“When I first came here, I was a mess. After losing two sons, I was mad at the world,” Walter says. “I still think about my sons every day, but I don’t get as angry as I used to. DRMM has really helped me out.”

Walter is grateful to the many donors who have helped him through his darkest time in life with the kindness of food and safe shelter. He is thankful, too, for our incredible staff and the tools that are helping him with a second chance in life. And he’s in awe of the healing that he sees all around him as men and women get the urgent help they need to battle joblessness, homelessness, and addiction.

“I’m very grateful,” Walter says. “I love these people for all the help they gave me.”

Thank you for sharing your blessings with people like Walter! Your gifts provide emergency food and shelter, plus the tools that can help those who are broken to rebuild their lives.

Help more people like Walter today!

YOUR IMPACT
410 nights of emergency shelter are provided each month.
THANK YOU!

 

Their rickety home was falling down around them, leaning dangerously to one side. Still, it was a home. With little ones to feed and care for, no money for deposits on a rental, and no hope of securing a mortgage, the Terrell family was just thankful they weren’t living on the street.

Marcus and DeShayla Terrell were shocked by the call they received from their pastor. He said Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) wanted to give them a house!

The Terrells desperately needed a home that wasn’t crumbling around them, but Marcus had just been laid off from his job. Even as they said yes to the offer of a house, they wondered if it was too good to be true. It was not . . .

The Terrell’s were not on their own

They took classes from DRMM to learn how to take care of the house, from maintenance to taxes to budgeting for monthly bills and other expenses. Once their classes are complete and two years of successful tenancy have passed, the deed to the home will be signed over to them.

DRMM first launched the program in 2011 to provide homes to hard-working families on the brink of homelessness. “These are families who can’t qualify for a home loan, but urgently need a safe place to raise their children. We’re taking rundown homes and renovating them to give families—and neighborhoods—a fresh start in life,” says DRMM’s President, Chad Audi.

“As children, we wondered where our next meal was coming from, if the lights were going to get cut off, if we were going to be evicted, or if the rent got paid,” Marcus says. “I had a mother who was addicted to drugs and I moved constantly from city to city, state to state, school to school, and never had a stable environment. I want to make sure that my kids never experience that or having to use candles for a couple of weeks because mom and dad can’t afford to pay the bills.”

“Around the time we were gifted the home, I had been laid off from my job after nearly five years. It was a tough time. I was very afraid for how to make ends meet and provide for my family,” Marcus says. “But the Lord has blessed me to be able to provide for them and I can’t thank Him enough,” Marcus says.

Facing each day full of thankfulness

Not a day goes by that the Terrell family doesn’t give thanks to God for their many blessings, including generous support from DRMM’s caring friends who have given them the opportunity to live in a safe home—and ultimately to own it!

“You may not realize what a blessing you are, but you’re really changing lives,” DeShayla says. “You’ve changed everything for us. Thank you for giving our children a home, a stable place to grow up.”

Help more families like the Terrell’s today!

YOUR IMPACT
47 homes have been provided to struggling families since 2011.
THANK YOU!

 

For parents who are having trouble keeping a roof over their heads, gifts for their children to open in celebration of Christmas are an out-of-reach luxury. That’s why caring friends like you are encouraged to adopt a family in need now to make this a Christmas filled with Christ’s love and mercy—one they will always remember.

Adopting a family means that you’ll provide gifts through DRMM’s Christmas program; important items like toys, warm clothes, books, and more. Imagine the joy a loving parent will have when able to personally select a few items and ensure their little ones will have a gift to open!

Sign up using the form below by September 30 to adopt a family in need this Christmas!

 

Unemployment and underemployment have pushed many families and individuals in our community to the brink of homelessness—or beyond. Hunger continues to be a very real problem, driving men, women, and their children to seek meals and help from DRMM’s food bank. This is why we must do everything possible to ensure lifesaving and life-changing resources are available this fall.

Thank you for your gift to help families and individuals in your community who are hungry and hover on the brink of homelessness—or beyond. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving more men, women, and their children will seek meals and other help. We are truly thankful for your prayers and partnership to ensure lifesaving and life-changing resources are available to everyone in need this fall!

In the next 90 days, we will serve more than 405,000 meals! We ask for your prayers and support to meet the urgent needs of our struggling neighbors:

Partner with us now to turn hunger into hope for people in need this fall!

 

When Don retired, he was envisioning the “golden years” we all dream of and hope for. But then came the heart trouble that almost took his life.

Surgery saved him, but it was a long road to recovery and those years devastated the finances he’d thought would take care of him for the rest of his life.

He took a job at a local factory to support himself, but still struggled to make ends meet. Then things went from bad to worse . . .

The factory, too, was struggling, and had no choice but to cut Don’s hours until they dwindled to nothing. When they finally shut down, they not only took Don’s retirement dreams with them, they took his last hope of survival.

At the age of 66, Don was homeless, hungry, and without hope . . .

He turned to DRMM. Thanks to support from caring and generous friends, he received a much-needed meal that first day, as well as safe shelter and the tools he needed to rebuild his life.

“This place helps people. They care about people,” Don says. “I’m well-educated, I’ve worked hard all my life, and I’ve had great jobs, but I’ve learned that you can be up today and down tomorrow. Circumstances knocked me down, DRMM is helping me pick myself back up.”

Don is just one example of the thousands of people who turn to DRMM in desperate need each day . . .

4,500 meals will be served today, tomorrow, and the next day.

400+ nights of shelter are available each month.

2,300+ vulnerable inner-city children attend camp each summer.

2,200 men, women, and children are served through our life-changing programs each day!

Consider the great need and how you can help. Spread the word to your family, friends, colleagues, and church. Support from our community is critical and provides hope through emergency services, job and education counseling, substance abuse treatment, and so much more.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep the hungry, hurting, and homeless Safe Over Summer.