Latest News – Page 54 – Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries

Recently, the Midwest and Northeast were hit with record-breaking rainstorms that dumped more than 6 inches of rain in one day on parts of southeastern Michigan and more than 13 inches on Long Island, New York.

Freeways flooded and left hundreds of drivers stranded. Most had to abandon their cars in water so high that it swallowed up the vehicles. Basements were flooded, causing frustrated homeowners to throw out possessions that were soaked and a total loss.

The historic flooding also affected the homeless who had to abandon their makeshift living situations under freeways and on city streets. Here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), our facilities were filled past capacity as homeless men and women sought shelter from the driving rain. We could not — and would never — turn anyone away, so we accommodated them the best we could. They were able to change out of their soaking wet clothing, eat and sleep on dry bedding.

This was unprecedented for our organization. We are used to an overflow of people in the winter when it is extremely cold. But this was the first time that we had this many people in our shelters in the summertime. We even got calls from people looking for a place to stay because their homes were flooded.

Make no mistake about it; the massive flooding took a human, emotional and financial toll.
But through it all, people were helping people. Just as DRMM opened its doors to an overflow of homeless individuals and homeowners who were flooded out, we heard countless stories of firefighters and other emergency personnel rescuing stranded motorists. There were stories of neighbors using their fishing boats to check on the safety of the elderly in their communities. And, there were stories of residents helping others clean up their flooded basements.

In the midst of what was a harrowing ordeal, I am glad that so many people were still reminded of Jesus’ great commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).

And, in this age of wars and other conflicts, that gives me inspiration and hope.

Life’s Lessons for our Children

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

July
30

Often, we may think that our children are too preoccupied with the latest technology, toys and clothing to pay attention to what is happening in the communities around them. But that isn’t always the case.

Take for instance 16-year-old Vivian Obia. She’s the high school student here in Detroit who started a movement of creating “blessing bags” for the city’s homeless. Vivian and several other teens from area churches stuff large Ziploc-type bags with items such as a small bottle of water, snacks, toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, toiletries, and a scripture or inspirational quote. The bags are distributed through local Catholic parishes.

Twelve-year-old Robby Eimers is another example of a child who does not take his blessings for granted. Every weekend, the Michigan boy and his grandmother gather clothing, toiletries, backpacks, and food to take to the homeless in Detroit. Robby pays for many of the items himself, but his efforts have gotten a lot of attention and donations are flooding in from individuals and companies.

These are the kinds of stories I like to hear. Children and teens are being moved to action by what they see every day on the streets of urban America. Here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), I am always pleased to see entire families volunteer to serve our homeless clients or renovate our shelter facilities. It’s an important lesson for our children — a lesson about humility and selflessness.

Blessed are the children who are making a difference in this world!

Hiring our Military Veterans

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

July
16

There’s a new move afoot to hire our nation’s military veterans. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “Hiring our Heroes” initiative helps veterans, transitioning service members, and military spouses find meaningful employment opportunities. NBC News joined the campaign; you may have seen their television PSAs promoting job fairs across the country. And, some companies have developed their own initiatives aimed at hiring our nation’s heroes.

An estimated 722,000 U.S. veterans were unemployed last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s out of a total of 21.4 million veterans in this country. Regrettably, my home state of Michigan had the second highest unemployment rate for veterans at 10.6%.

So, why are so many of our veterans struggling to find employment?

There are numerous reasons. Sometimes, prospective employers don’t fully understand how the veteran’s military experiences can be applied to the open positions in their companies. Or, the veterans can’t talk about their multi-faceted work in the service because it was classified. Or, the veterans are hesitant to talk about themselves and sell an employer on their qualities. Or, in some cases, the veterans don’t have the up-to-date skills needed for today’s job market.

Of course, the expertise acquired in the military by these men and women is extraordinary — in both a professional and personal sense. But, they need assistance seeing how they can apply those skill sets to a career, plus learn new ones.

That’s why the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries recently partnered with the Detroit Training Center to provide our veterans with the training they need to land good-paying jobs. The veterans that we are helping in our joint program found themselves homeless and unsuccessful at making — and sustaining — a living.

We help reintegrate them back into civilian life and into the workforce. Our program offers training in blight removal, deconstruction, heavy equipment operation, facilities maintenance, and construction. We even help them find jobs after they complete the training.

I’m calling on all companies to do the right thing. Give a veteran a job.

Caring People Do Exist

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

July
1

Make no mistake about it. There are still good people in this world. Take for instance, Juanita Vega of New York. She made headlines recently when she paid for the funeral of a homeless man whom she would always see in the neighborhood surrounding the Manhattan bank where she worked. Many mornings, Juanita had to awaken Richard Coleman as he slept in the vestibule of the bank. Richard had been a fixture in the area for nearly 20 years.

One day, after not seeing Richard for weeks, she learned from an online news site that the 62-year-old man had died. Rather than see him buried at the city’s public cemetery, Potter’s Field, Juanita pulled a lot of strings and used her own money to honor Richard one final time with a funeral and burial in a New Jersey cemetery.

Juanita is an example of a person who did something out of the goodness of her heart. Random acts of kindness, like hers, help to shine a light on the plight of the homeless.

You, too, can make a difference in the lives of our nation’s homeless through your local shelter or rescue mission. Donate care packages containing toiletries and other everyday necessities that we often take for granted. Volunteer your time to help serve meals or teach a vocational class. If you have construction or interior design skills, offer to give a facelift to transitional and permanent housing facilities by painting, renovating or decorating. Make a cash gift to the organization to help with the multitude of expenses associated with caring for the homeless and putting them on a permanent path to success.

In addition, you can have a huge impact on the self-esteem of the homeless by treating them with dignity and respect. Acknowledge their value as human beings. They will appreciate your caring attitude and always remember your kindness.

Violence Against the Homeless

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

June
20

Surviving on the streets has literally become a matter of life and death. Yet another report of senseless violence surfaced this week when a teen allegedly recorded himself attacking a homeless man at a Philadelphia-area trolley stop. The video was posted on Facebook and shows the teen exchanging a few words with the man and then hitting him in the face with such force that it almost knocks him out.

Similarly, two college football players were arraigned in Massachusetts earlier this year for allegedly punching and kicking a homeless man they had argued with on a Boston street. It took the heroic actions of a female passerby to stop the attack. She shielded the homeless man with her own body, while other witnesses called 911.

Something is terribly wrong here. Where is the respect for other human beings? Too often, violent behavior has become the way to solve problems or to express inner feelings. Young people are being influenced by violent video games and the so-called “bum fight” videos posted on the Internet that show vicious acts committed against the homeless.

In response to an increase in these attacks — which are considered hate crimes in some states — the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) compiles annual reports documenting this epidemic of violence. The NCH says most crimes of this nature are committed by individuals who harbor a strong resentment against a certain group of people. The most common perpetrators of violence against the homeless are teenage “thrill seekers” looking to take advantage of a vulnerable and disadvantaged group.

Living on the streets makes the nation’s homeless more susceptible to being victimized. They are vulnerable to attacks and robberies of their meager possessions. They are easy targets. The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) recognizes this danger and as part of our continuum of services, we help to transition the homeless into temporary and eventually affordable permanent housing.

Additionally, we must teach our children and teens how to resolve conflicts in a non-violent manner. They must learn to express their feelings through spirited conversation, instead of with their fists. Encourage them to volunteer at homeless shelters so they can see firsthand that the homeless are humans too.

Many are military veterans who served our country in Desert Storm, Iraq and Vietnam.
They are good people who got sidetracked by drugs or alcohol.
They are workers who lost their jobs due to layoffs or a serious illness.
And, they are the victims of domestic violence desperately seeking an escape.

We must change the perception of the homeless. And, we must discourage violence against them. They are no less deserving or less human than the rest of us.

Feeding the Homeless

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

May
30

Feeding the homeless caused quite a controversy recently in Daytona Beach, Florida. A local law prohibits individuals from sharing food with homeless people in public places, but Debbie and Chico Jimenez chose to violate the law when they gave food to about 100 homeless people at a park. It’s something they have been doing for the past year. This time, the couple — who operate a local ministry to help the impoverished — and four friends were charged and fined $2,000. Eventually, the charges and fines were dismissed. And, the Jimenezes have vowed to apply for the proper city permit to continue feeding the homeless in the park.

This has long been a hot button issue all over the country. Should you feed the homeless or give them money when there are agencies like ours — Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) — that provide them with food, shelter, clean clothing, showers, beds, and job training opportunities? Is it a better idea to direct the homeless to go to DRMM and similar organizations?

In the Florida case, the local ordinance instructs people who want to perform acts of kindness or charity to coordinate their efforts with local social service agencies.

It’s a difficult question, because we know that not all homeless people want to follow the rules that will be imposed upon them in emergency shelters. Not all homeless people have made up their minds that they want to turn around their lives. And, some are still caught up in their addictions and likely will spend any donated money in counterproductive ways.

Additionally, feeding the homeless in public or giving them a few dollars is a temporary fix. The next day they will be looking for the next benevolent giver. DRMM seeks to provide the homeless with permanent solutions that will get them off the streets and into homes, careers, and productive lives.

I’m curious, what do you think about individuals feeding the homeless in public places or giving them money?