Debbie Dingell to headline launch of Bankole Thompson Fund for Veterans May 8

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

April
28

Debbie Dingell, the U.S. congresswoman representing Michigan’s 12th congressional district, will on Friday, May 8, chair the official launch of Bankole Thompson Fund for Veterans and Teen Moms from 11am-1pm at 138 Stimson Street Detroit, with Chuck Stokes, host of ABC 7’s Spotlight, as master of ceremony.

The free admission event will also have Arthur Horwitz, publisher of the Jewish News, Faye Nelson, president of DTE Energy Foundation, Juliet Okotie-Eboh, senior VP of MGM Grand Detroit, and Hank Hubbard, president and CEO of Communicating Arts Credit Union, as honorary patrons.

Created in August 2014, the Bankole Thompson Fund for Veterans and Teen Moms supports programs that help veterans and teen moms in Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) facilities in Detroit and Highland Park lead stable, independent and productive lives.

It is fully owned and managed by DRMM and has already attracted generous donations from DTE Energy Foundation, Strategic Staffing Solutions and others.

“We are happy that multiple award-winning journalist, Bankole Thompson, lent his name to this worthy effort to better the lives of our veterans and teen moms and we sincerely commend him,” says DRMM president and CEO, Dr. Chad Audi, expressing the hope that many compassionate organizations and individuals in Michigan and beyond will support the Fund.

Donations can be made by check to Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Attn: Bankole Thompson Fund for Veterans and Teen Moms, 150 Stimson Street, P.O. Box 312087 Detroit MI 48231.

For more information, please contact C. Paschal Eze at 1-313-993-4700 ext 4707 or paschal((@))drmm.org.

Educating Homeless Families

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

April
27

It’s probably something you don’t give much thought to, but have you ever wondered how well homeless children perform in school? Due to their unstable living environment, many are at increased risk of not learning as well as other children. But, one way of increasing the chance of academic success is to provide education programs for the entire family.

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) is pleased to be involved in a pilot project called the “Family Learning Program,” administered by the St. Vincent and Sarah Fisher Center (SVSF) and funded by Reading Works of Detroit.

The program works like this: SVSF creates personalized education programs for homeless women and children staying at our Genesis House II transitional housing facility. In a press release, Diane Renaud, SVSF executive director and CEO, said: “We believe that by working with multiple generations simultaneously, it will help break the cycle of resistance to education faster.”

Makes sense, right? After all, much of what a child learns about life comes from watching his or her parents. So why not teach academics and employment skills to the entire family at the same time!

Many of DRMM’s clients need help improving their reading skills. Detroit has an alarmingly high illiteracy rate: 47-percent of adults, according to the National Institute for Literacy. Without the ability to read adequately, it is difficult for our clients to learn job skills and land employment as we help them rebuild their lives. The ability to read is essential for them to become self-sufficient, productive citizens in our society.

Meanwhile, the children will get personalized assistance with their school work to make sure they keep up with the standard levels of achievement as they progress to the next grade. We also expect that this family learning opportunity will raise the self-esteem and confidence of the women and their children.

Thank you, SVSF and Reading Works. We are excited about the potential of this pilot project!

Homeless Jesus

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

April
16

A 7-foot bronze sculpture depicting Jesus as a homeless man huddled under a blanket on a park bench is stirring up controversy around the world. The statue is identifiable as Jesus only by the crucifixion wounds on his feet. The sculptor, Timothy Schmalz, has installed casts in the U.S., Canada and Europe. And now it could be coming to my home of Detroit.

An anonymous donor who grew up in a Detroit suburb is contributing the $32,000 needed to have the statue installed. But the reactions are mixed.

While Pope Francis calls it a “beautiful and excellent” representation of Jesus, others say it demeans Jesus. And yet others have mistaken the statue for a homeless person and alerted police.

The artist says the sculpture is meant as a call to action among Christians. He sees it as a way to inspire people to help those in need. In fact, people have been leaving money, food and other items for the homeless at the statue outside a church in Buffalo, New York.

So, should we welcome the so-called “Homeless Jesus” as a sign of the hunger and despair faced by hundreds of thousands of people across the globe? Is the sculpture a means of confronting homelessness and drawing attention to the plight of the homeless?

Well, let’s start by asking “What would Jesus think?”

We know that Jesus showed his concern for the homeless and poor. He talked about feeding the hungry and caring for the needy. Matthew 25:45 reads, “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ ”

Jesus himself spent much of his life as a homeless person. He was a homeless baby, born in a stable. Later, during His public ministry, He didn’t have a permanent place to call home. And, when he was crucified, he was stripped of everything — home, clothing and possessions.

Here at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), we provide services to more than 1,400 homeless and needy people every day. One could argue that the donor’s generous contribution could have been put to better use at the many non-profit organizations in the Detroit area like ours that provide a multitude of services to the homeless, hungry and disadvantaged.

But one thing is for sure, the “Homeless Jesus” sculpture is guaranteed to make you stop and think. Let me know your thoughts.

DRMM Expands its Emergency Food Services to Macomb County

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

April
13

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) is expanding its reach to feed the homeless and hungry in Macomb County. The faith-based, Detroit non-profit inked a deal today to take over the building and operations of the Lighthouse Outreach Center, located at 28571 Gratiot Avenue in Roseville.  Effective immediately, DRMM will continue to operate the center as Macomb County’s largest food pantry and emergency food distribution site for people in need.

“The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries has been serving Wayne County since the organization’s start in 1909.  We are extremely excited that we are now able to enlarge our footprint to assist with the emergency needs of hundreds of people in Macomb County,” said Dr. Chad Audi, DRMM president & CEO.  “We will provide the area’s homeless and low-income with the same services that the Lighthouse Outreach Center offered, but on an even larger scale.  Plus, in the future, we will offer specialized services for homeless military veterans in Macomb County.”

The Lighthouse Outreach Center was established in 1984 and became one of the largest and most well-known non-profit charity organizations in Macomb County.  In addition to food, the center offers a variety of social and human services programs for low-income families and individuals.

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is one of the country’s largest providers in the fight against homelessness and substance abuse. Each year, DRMM serves one million meals to the homeless and hungry at eight facilities in Detroit and Highland Park.  The organization also operates the 240-acre Wildwood Ranch in Howell, Michigan as a recreation and camp site for inner city youth.

About Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries
Founded in 1909, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) provides services ranging from emergency shelter to job training. Every day, more than 1,600 men, women and children receive services from DRMM. Every year, one million meals are served to the homeless and hungry at DRMM’s facilities in Detroit and Highland Park. The non-profit organization is focused on rebuilding lives one at a time with the help of partners, donors, volunteers and community groups. For more information, visit www.drmm.org.

DRMM to Welcome Sen. Debbie Stabenow to its March Call to Service!

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

April
13

On Friday, March 13, 2015, Dr. Chad Audi and the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries family will welcome Senator Debbie Stabenow to its March Call to Service event that will celebrate and honor women!

March is Women’s History Month.

The event will feature a beautiful lunch prepared and presented by DRMM’s Culinary Arts Program, as well as testimonies from DRMM Clients, music from the DRMM choir and a keynote message from Sen. Debbie Stabenow. The event will also feature a surprise presentation by Dr. Audi, the organization’s President.

DRMM celebrates with staff, residents and the public every month at its monthly Call to Service events, where its mission and dedication to serve Jesus are recognized.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information contact Paschal Eze, DRMM’s Director of Public Relations at 313-993-4700 ext. 4707.