Housing the Homeless

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

October
31

Winter is just around the corner, and I can’t help but think back to last winter and the harsh weather conditions we experienced. Extended periods of frigid temperatures and snowstorms paralyzed much of the country. It was truly a winter unlike any we’ve seen in a while.

Here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), our shelters were filled beyond capacity as the homeless sought refuge from the severe winter blast. If the next few months are anything like that again, I am sure we will witness the same reaction from the area’s homeless. And, who can blame them?

In the meantime, a 2010 federal strategic plan designed to prevent and end homelessness is showing some progress in getting the homeless off the street. The comprehensive Opening Doors strategy developed by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness aims to end veterans and chronic homelessness by 2015, and to end homelessness among families, children and youth by 2020.

Opening Doors centers around an idea called “Housing First,” which focuses on finding permanent housing immediately for the homeless. Putting a roof over their heads is considered priority one. Once they are properly housed, then the focus shifts to addressing their personal issues, such as substance abuse, mental health treatment, or unemployment.

While I applaud any effort that gets us closer to wiping out homelessness, DRMM is a firm believer in first treating the whole person who comes to us for help. Only after the addiction has been overcome or new job skills are learned to make them employable again or God becomes an integral part of their lives, can the formerly homeless maintain hope and become productive citizens on a permanent basis.

Without a doubt, the path to ending homelessness must engage a combination of housing, healthcare, education, job training, and other human service programs.

Meanwhile, DRMM awaits the winter weather — prepared to shelter all who come to our doors seeking a safe and warm haven from the cold.

Ebola’s Toll

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

October
22

Not surprisingly, the first case of Ebola in the United States — and the patient’s subsequent death —is causing concern and fear across the country. To make matters worse, two nurses were infected after caring for the patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, in the hospital prior to his death.

Of course, the disease has taken an emotional toll on Duncan’s loved ones. Not only did Louise Troh lose her fiancé, but reportedly she is now homeless after being quarantined for three weeks. The 54-year-old woman has been declared Ebola free, but she is said to have lost everything. She lost the apartment she shared with Duncan when it had to be decontaminated. And, most of her possessions were seized and incinerated.

Her situation is an example of the residual effects of Ebola. For now, Ms. Troh is living in a church conference center. The City of Dallas is partnering with the church and donors to collect enough money to pay for six months of housing for the Texas woman. The community is coming together to help ease her pain.

Thank goodness, Ms. Troh did not become infected. And thank goodness she did not lose her life. Yet, we must also consider her a “victim” of Ebola who needs the help, care and kindness of others.

Although there are conflicting viewpoints on how best to respond to and destroy the Ebola threat, we must pray for all of the people who have been affected in any way by this very serious virus.

God would have us remain calm in the midst of this brewing storm. As 2 Timothy 1:7 states, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Let us all pray for the recovery of the two healthcare workers who contracted the disease. And, let’s pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in the West African nations.

We’re America’s Compassion Headquarters

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

October
15

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) is set to mark its 105th year of changing lives for the homeless, hurting and hungry in metro-Detroit with free admission to DRMM’s Transformation Ambassadors Inaugural event at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. The event will be held at DRMM’s “Tab” Building, located at 138 Stimson St. in Detroit.

DRMM’s president and CEO, Dr. Chad Audi, says the nonprofit and nonpartisan organization has proven to be America’s compassion headquarters.

“We’re America’s compassion headquarters if you consider the fact that we’re the largest rescue mission in the United States in terms of reach and scale, serving 1,800 persons daily and having several life-changing facilities in Detroit, Highland Park and Macomb County’s Roseville, as well as a 240-acre multi-purpose ranch in Howell,” said Audi.

According to Audi, though DRMM has received many awards and certifications from reputable local and international organizations, “the best recognition of our work comes from our current and former clients who testify of how their lives have been changed for good; how, if not for our resilient help in their rehabilitation, redirection and reintegration, they would still have been on the streets, unemployed, hungry, abusing drugs, mired in low sense of self-esteem or simply lacking in marketable skills to earn a decent living.”

Such emotive testimonies help to sustain the commitment and compassion of Audi and his team of over 200 professionals who provide services to Detroit’s homeless, hungry and hurting.

Audi credits his dedicated staff, 11, 000+ volunteers, and many faithful donors with the successes recorded by DRMM over the years. Live testimonials from DRMM clients at Friday’s event will explain exactly how DRMM and its staff are working to change lives and provide hope. The event will be chaired by in-coming Dean of U.S. Congress, Rep. John Conyers.

“I am profoundly pleased that on Friday, Oct. 17, which is the International Day for Eradication of Poverty, respected friends, partners and community leaders will join us in welcoming DRMM Transformation Ambassadors to our dynamic family of compassion. The Ambassadors are accomplished men and women who have demonstrated deep understanding of the human condition and shown infectious compassion for the needy around them,”  said Audi.

The Ambassadors include top sports agent Kevin D. Poston, CEO of The Deal LLC Farmington Hills who has signed over $1 billion in contracts for clients, Bankole Thompson, senior editor of Michigan Chronicle newspaper and notable host on NPR station WDET 101.9FM, and Kurt A. David, bestselling author, TV personality and former professional athlete.

Others are Ngozi Ifeoma Malo, Harvard University alumna, 2013 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Fellow and former UMASS Boston lecturer who now serves as senior special adviser on policy and partnerships to the Nigerian energy minister, and Latricia Wright, popular nutrition and fitness coach and owner of Olive-Seed LLC Detroit.

“I am proud of Detroit Rescue Mission’s remarkable accomplishments in this region and I am poised to use my brand equity to help it go even further in assisting more people in dire need. I believe other DRMM Transformation Ambassadors are equally ready to help,” said Thompson, whose name lends itself to DRMM’s Bankole Thompson Fund for Veterans and Teen Moms, which was created in August.

On hand to present the first-ever DRMM Transformation Ambassadors with their Certificate of Credence at the two-hour event on Friday will be notable persons like John Broad, president of Crime Stoppers of Michigan, Tanya Vanno, CEO of Southfield Chamber of Commerce and Jonathan Wynne, board chair of Central Detroit Christian CDC and student affairs director of Equity Education Management Solutions, Southfield.

Also serving as featured guests are former Detroiter Bob Higley, CEO of Parables TV and former vice president for global distribution at Trinity Broadcasting Corporation, Paula Brown, executive director of ReadingWorks, Margaret Williamson, executive director of Pro-Literacy Detroit, and Edward Foxworth, CEO of The Center for Enterprise and Innovation and host of American Entrepreneur.

The event will also feature the presentation of DRMM’s Lifetime Transformation Award by event chair, Congressman Conyers to Bishop PA Brooks, first assistant presiding bishop of the 6.5 million member Church of God in Christ Worldwide, and pastor of New St. Paul Tabernacle Detroit.

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries was founded in 1909 and is a nonprofit, faith-based organization. DRMM provides emergency shelter, transitional and permanent housing, and substance abuse treatment to men, women, children, and families and serves more than 1,800 individuals every day.

For more information about the Transformation Ambassadors Inaugural event on Friday, please call 313-993-4700.

Poverty in America

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

October
1

There’s good news and bad news concerning poverty in America. New data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows the share of people living in poverty last year dropped ever so slightly — by half a percentage point — to 14.5 percent. While that may not seem like much progress, it is the first time the poverty rate has fallen since 2006. On the other hand, the rate is still 2 percentage points higher than it was back then.

The Census Bureau report indicates more people are working full-time jobs. But, the country’s median household income edged up only by about $180.

So, what does this mean for America’s economy? Since the recession of 2007-09, the climb back to economic recovery has been slow. Here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), we have continued to see a newer category of people that we call the “working homeless” or the “working poor” come to our facilities for shelter and food.

They are employed parents who can’t afford to pay their utilities and feed their families, too. Or they are working families who were renting a home that fell into foreclosure, because the owner/landlord did not make the mortgage payments. Or they are individuals who were laid-off and forced to take lower paying jobs, but now cannot pay all of their bills.

It’s heartbreaking to me and the DRMM staff to see people in the food lines who have come directly from their job and are still in their work clothes. Most have never known what it’s like to stand in line at a homeless shelter for a meal. This is not the type of life they’ve led in the past, but their present economic situation has forced them to seek help. They are standing in line humbly, but inside they must be hurting.

It’s clear that the majority of families in this country have yet to see their incomes recover from the recession. As a result, the demand remains high on providers like Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries. And, it will continue until poverty in America is eliminated.

 

Domestic Violence and Homelessness

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

September
24

As the National Football League continues to deal with the fallout from a series of domestic violence incidents involving players, the national spotlight is focusing on this terrible crime.

The statistics are alarming. It has been reported that 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims each year.

Domestic violence is a primary cause for homelessness among women. The National Alliance to End Homelessness says domestic violence survivors make up about 12 percent of the sheltered homeless population.

Many of the women who seek help at homeless shelters like ours at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), are running away from abusive relationships. They have finally gotten the courage to leave home after years of abuse and to start new lives. Often, the women walk into our shelter accompanied by their young children.

From that point on, DRMM sets out to restore confidence and self-esteem in the woman. She and her children receive shelter, food, clothing, transitional housing, educational support, spiritual guidance, and job skills training. As they look toward building a new future, we assist them with finding affordable permanent housing.

Without a doubt, domestic violence has a devastating impact on a woman – both physically and emotionally. Most abusers have cut the women off from everything — financial resources, employment, and support networks. And, the women often suffer from anxiety, severe depression and substance abuse.

When the women successfully complete our programs, they have overcome any addiction issues, recovered their sense of self, and they leave with a sense of accomplishment. They are no longer victims. They are brave women who took the first step when they made up their minds to seek help and end the cycle of violence. They deserve our support.