Latest News – Page 51 – Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries

As the nation pauses this month to honor the birthday of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I can’t help but wonder how Dr. King would feel about the current state of this world if he were alive today.

For example, what would he think about the condition of the civil rights movement?
How would he feel about the way justice is being delivered in this nation?
What would he think about the large number of people in this country who are homeless and poor?

Here at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), we are honoring King’s legacy, life and compassion with a call to service.

We cannot let Dr. King’s dream die.

His birthday is more than a holiday. It’s a time when we all should ask ourselves what we can do to make this world more like Dr. King’s dream — one where no one is judged by the color of their skin, but rather by the content of their character. And a world where, as Dr. King said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

In honor of Dr. King and to demonstrate the compassion he possessed and preached about, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries helped two of our formerly homeless clients get a step closer to achieving their dreams. We surprised them both —presenting one woman with a car and the other with a house for her family.

We took the beliefs of Dr. King and transferred them into a generous, life-changing action that deeply touched two deserving individuals.

Now that’s something I’m sure he would have liked to witness had he been alive today.
DRMM is indeed guided by the inspirational sayings of Dr. King, especially this quote: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’

Ask yourself that question today.

A New Start in the New Year

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

December
23

This is a joyous time of the year. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and preparing to renew our spirit and hope for the New Year.

Unfortunately, not everyone is anticipating the arrival of 2015. For the nation’s homeless, January simply means it’s time to go deep into survival mode until the arrival of warmer temperatures and budding flowers.

Make no mistake, the homeless are very thankful for the special holiday meals and donated gifts they receive this time of the year. However, as the New Year arrives, they must face the prospect of another year of despair.

That’s why charitable organizations like the one I lead — Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) — depend so much upon the generous, year-end donations from our supporters, which enable us to offer our life-changing programs and services into the New Year without interruption.

The men, women and children in DRMM’s emergency shelters, treatment centers, transitional and permanent housing, and career training programs are in need of love, mercy, and hope. Our mission is to help the homeless find the strength and learn the skills to turnaround their lives and never end up on the streets again.

Every man, woman and child on this Earth is deserving of God’s grace, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year.

Make this a joyous time for the homeless. Let’s give them the opportunity for a new start in the New Year.

DRMM to distribute toys, winter clothes at Christmas party Friday

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

December
10

When Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM, https://drmm.org) draws business and civic leaders to its Banquet Hall at 3606 East Forest Street, Detroit this Friday, December 12, it would be to inspire hope and spread the joy of the season by distributing toys, winter hats, gloves, scarves, coats and socks to needy children at its Christmas party sponsored by Ford Motor Company.

The 11am to 2pm free admission event will feature local artist Al Bettis known for his “It is beautiful” album, DRMM Choir led by Carl Riggis, Mr and Ms Santa Claus, fun activities for children and free lunch.

“The Detroit Rescue Mission is there for our neighbors in need year round, providing support during the most difficult times,” said Janet Lawson, director, Ford Volunteer Corps. “To be able to help them lift spirits and spread the joy of the holiday season is a very special and humbling experience for Ford volunteers.”

In thanking the 20 Ford staff members that will volunteer at the event, DRMM president and CEO, Dr. Chad Audi, noted that “we couldn’t have given the hope and help we gave to thousands of people this year – the homeless, the hungry and the hurting – without our remarkable volunteers that number over 11, 000, and funding partners like Ford Motor Company that support our life-changing work.”

The Holiday Spirit

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

December
8

In the spirit of the holidays, a Florida judge has presented a gift to 90-year-old Arnold Abbott. The elderly World War II veteran had been arrested and given several citations for violating an ordinance that prohibits feeding the homeless in public in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. But, now the judge has temporarily halted the ordinance.

For several years, Mr. Abbott’s non-profit organization has fed the city’s homeless. Supporters from around the world empathized with Abbott and his efforts to make sure all of the city’s hungry were fed.

Although the nation’s homeless population is the most vulnerable to hunger, an estimated 50 million Americans go to bed and awake hungry, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless. That’s an incredible number. And sadly, about one in five of them are children.

Here at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), we serve thousands of people who are experiencing food insecurity. We feed more than 3,500 people each day. In addition to the homeless individuals in our shelters, we serve dinner to members of the community who can’t afford to eat regularly or provide nutritious meals for their families.

DRMM also reaches out to communities surrounding Detroit to help those in need. This holiday season, we donated food boxes to 50 families in the neighboring city of Dearborn, Michigan. The U.S. Census Bureau reports nearly 26-percent of that city’s population lives below the poverty level. Each food box included items such as turkey, beef, rice, cooking oil, seasonings and sugar — enough to last a family of six for two weeks. In total, the families have more than 150 children.

Won’t you open your hearts this holiday season and help us feed the hungry?

“For I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Matthew 25: 35)

A Season of Thanks and Giving

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

November
24

What are you the most thankful for during this season of giving? Is it a roof over your head? Or family and friends who love you? Or perhaps you’re thankful for being healthy and able to make a good living.

During this holiday season, we all should be appreciative of our blessings. So many people are barely making it, and many are on the streets with nowhere to live.

Over the past few years, there has been an increased demand for our services at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM). This can be attributed to a variety of reasons, including the shaky economy, job layoffs, low wages, medical setbacks, and people turning to drugs and alcohol as a means of coping.

In addition, an early cold snap here in Michigan, and across the country, led to DRMM’s shelters being filled way beyond capacity for several days. We brought out extra cots for the men, women and children who came to our door to escape the unseasonably frigid temperatures.

Although we’ve had an increased stream of clients, we are thankful to God and to our supporters for helping us provide for those in need. Because of our donors’ generosity, DRMM is able to feed thousands of people on Thanksgiving and Christmas. They receive hearty, holiday meals. Plus, we are able to provide hundreds of less fortunate children with toys and gifts to make their holidays happier. We make sure they can celebrate like everybody else.

DRMM counts on the generosity and prayers of others to support us in many ways. Whether it’s donating money or items, providing in-kind services or volunteering, everybody can make a difference and help those who need it most.

Make giving a part of your life, not just during the holidays, but all of the time.
Blessed are the givers, and grateful are the receivers.
“He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.” (Proverbs 22: 9 KJV)

Putting our Veterans First

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

November
17

This month is set aside to remember our nation’s veterans and salute them for the major sacrifices they have made for our freedom. Yet, too many of our veterans find it difficult to adjust to civilian life when they return home from military service.

They need help coping with issues such as substance abuse, alcoholism, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), unemployment, homelessness, and crime. The most recent national statistics show that as many as one in ten inmates have served in the military. And, the Department of Veterans Affairs says about 20% of veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan suffer from PTSD.

We just received good news here at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) in our efforts to help our military heroes. DTE Energy Foundation announced a $25,000 grant to support our programs for veterans and teen moms. We house veterans at one of our facilities and assist them in getting permanent housing and acquiring marketable job skills. We also provide medical care, addiction treatment, and counseling to help veterans achieve sobriety and recover emotionally from the disturbing sights and sounds of war.

Our veterans need help returning stability to their lives.
They didn’t turn their backs on us when it came to fighting for our rights and wellbeing. Now, we must not turn our backs on them.

It’s the least we can do for our nation’s heroes.