For Deanna, heartbreak and fear had made every day a struggle to survive. Tending to her dying mother day after day for three long years had proven too much. So Deanna turned to alcohol as a way to cope.

But by the time her mother’s pain and suffering were over, Deanna’s next drink was the only thing that mattered to her.

She remembers the day she found herself standing in front of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) with nothing but the clothes on her back. She was in a fog, but still understood that this was her last chance to beat her addiction to alcohol or lose everything—her ability to work or ever live independently again, the love of her children, and perhaps even her life.

Help and hope when all seemed lost

“When I first came here, I was a mess. I was at rock bottom, not functional any longer,” Deanna says. “My son who is in college was looking at me like, ‘Who are you? What happened to the lady that used to help other people?’”

“When I first came to treatment, I was suicidal,” she says. “I didn’t want to be here, I just wanted the pain to stop.” But through therapy and the treatment program offered at DRMM, Deanna came to understand that she desperately needed God’s help.

“I should be dead. I shouldn’t even be sitting here talking to you, but the program, it worked. It eased the pain,” Deanna says. “The people in this ministry are helping me.”

A second chance in life

Deanna knows now that God has a plan for her and clings to his Word to guide her. “My favorite verse is Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’ It took a long time to understand what it meant.

“God made no mistake on me because when I look in the mirror now, I love myself. I can smile and it’s not painful,” she says. The process has also brought healing to Deanna’s family. “My children forgive me, my sister and other siblings, too, and I forgave myself.”

With support from caring friends and donors, Deanna has completed a nursing program and works each day to help others find the courage and support to break their addictions. “I’ve lost friends . . . they’ve died because of their addiction. I’ve been clean for two years and I don’t ever want to go back in that darkness.”

Deanna is living proof of how your support is truly saving and changing lives. She is deeply thankful for getting a second chance in life . . . and a chance to help others. She encourages everyone to continue to support DRMM because the need is so great. “Whatever you give, you’re going to help save somebody’s life. Your gifts provide clothes, food, and other resources to help with school and work. You help someone like me not be discouraged.”

This Christmas, Deanna will be counting her many blessings and YOU are among them! Thank you for partnering with DRMM to save and change lives in Detroit!

Help more people like Deanna today!

From his earliest memory, Anthony’s home life was tough. Still, the young man wasn’t prepared for the day his mother simply dropped him at the roadside and drove away.

For a time, Anthony slept in a tent and learned what it feels like to be hungry, homeless, and alone. He told a story of the day he used his last dollars to buy some ramen noodles. While waiting at a gas station for the microwave to heat them up, he turned to his Bible for comfort. A stranger saw him and insisted on helping him with some money to buy food. “I took that as God saying, ‘I’ll take care of you.’”

God led Anthony to DRMM

Soon after, Anthony says God led him to DRMM where he found food, shelter, and a team of caring people who prayed with and for him. He was especially moved to share a seat at our Thanksgiving table last year and was overwhelmed by the generosity of the volunteers and caring friends who provide meals to people who are hungry and in need. “So many people were here handing out food and clothes. They brought 20 turkeys!”

Today Anthony is working hard and will soon have a place of his own. This life transformation is only possible thanks to the compassion and generosity of people like you. And as you can see, you’re providing lost souls like Anthony with so much more than just a meal . . .

“This is a really great place, Christian-oriented. It has really helped me out,” Anthony says. “There’s a lot of compassion here and I like that.”

On behalf of people like Anthony who come through our doors hungry, homeless, and hurting, thank you for your ongoing support that provides the tools for a fresh start in life.

Help more individuals like Anthony today!

Adam arrived in Detroit with his marriage and life in disarray. In just a few short months he had lost his family, and his home, leaving him at rock-bottom and in need of help. When his pastor made a call, your gifts allowed Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) to offer Adam the help and hope he urgently needed.

“DRMM helped me out in a time of need,” Adam says.

“Being here at DRMM has been a success. Within four months, I’ve transitioned into stability. I’m working and am establishing my own business. I’m in the process of getting my own apartment now. So it was a good stepping stone to get me to the next level.”

In a critical time of need, people like Adam come to DRMM to find more than just a meal. They come to find guidance, hope, and a way to avoid or escape the pain of homelessness. It’s your gifts that made Adam’s transformation possible . . .

Adam now looks forward to sharing the blessings he’s received with others. “Giving to DRMM is a good cause. It’s good to help those who are in need and it’s always good to give back.”

The kind support of caring friends ensures that DRMM can help people like Adam in their darkest hour with safe shelter, food, and the tools to begin again. Please keep Adam in your prayers this Christmas as he seeks to honor God and to seize the opportunity to rebuild what is broken in his life.

Help more people like Adam today!