School Gets Donation for Uniforms

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

July
22

Detroit, Mich. July 22, 2013– The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) is pleased to announce that Bethune Elementary/Middle School in Detroit is the recipient of a $10,000 donation from Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) and its partner, S.A.Y. Detroit. The purpose of the generous donation is to ensure that all students attending Bethune have a new school uniform to wear to class for the upcoming 2013-2014 school year.

The announcement was made at a school assembly before Bethune students, teachers, and staff on Monday, July 22.

“Research tells us students have better attendance records in schools where the children wear uniforms,” said Maura Corrigan, DHS Director. “Improving school attendance is one of the missions of our Pathways to Potential program. This generous donation will help us toward achieving that goal.”

Currently, more than 800 students attend Bethune, a member school of the Education Achievement Authority (EAA) and also a DHS Pathways to Potential school with an on-site success coach.

“It is essential that we remove barriers that hinder our students’ progress,” said Antoinette Pearson, principal at Bethune. “To some, providing uniforms seems simplistic, but lack of uniforms impacts attendance, discipline, and achievement. We are so grateful for this wonderful donation!”

The Dress Them For Success program began as a recent grassroots project by DHS employees to personally assist students and client families who were struggling to provide uniforms in the urban core school districts.

That effort, which raised more than $10,000, initially through donations by DHS employees, has now expanded with outreach by former State Sen. Bill Hardiman to include partners like Detroit Rescue Ministries. “It’s through the generosity of our donors that we are able to donate this $10,000 to provide school uniforms for these children,” said Dr. Chad Audi, President of DRMM. Those donors include the S.A.Y. Detroit charitable group, founded by noted author, columnist, and broadcaster Mitch Albom.

For more information on the Department of Human Services and Pathways, please visit www.michigan.giv/dhs

DRMM Annual Client Graduation

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

June
20

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is honoring over 400 graduating clients on Thursday, June 20th at DRMM’s Banquet Hall at 3606 E. Forest in Detroit. The ceremony will begin at 11 AM and will be followed by lunch for all guests.

With friends, family members, counselors, and community officials in attendance, graduates will celebrate completion of one of DRMM’s programs over the last year, including residential programs, treatment, job training, or GED certification through DRMM’s partnership with Detroit Public Schools’ Adult Education Program.

The vast majority of graduates are homeless or formerly homeless men and women from the Cities of Detroit and Highland Park who have battled addiction, dislocation, loss, and even hopelessness. The ceremony marks a turning point for many, including clients who will deliver their testimonies to the crowd.

Founded over 104 years ago, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is one of the largest rescue missions in the nation, and serves over 1,600 men, women, and children in the Cities of Detroit and Highland Park each day, by providing emergency shelter, housing, and substance abuse treatment to those in need.

Gratitude to 57,000 Saints

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

March
4

When I tell people I meet that I work for an organization that provides 3,500 meals to hungry people and beds for over 1,500 homeless men, women and children each day, I am often humbled by their response. They thank me for the work I am doing and treat me like I am a saint. Hear me when I say this: I care deeply about all the people we help.

But believe me when I say I am privileged to do the work I do and see the things I see every day. This is especially true when I think of the literally thousands of people whose names and faces by choice will never be known for the part they play in changing lives with us.

On behalf of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, I would like to publicly express our deep gratitude to the 49,000 financial supporters and 8,300 volunteers who responded in the last year to the needs of the poor and homeless men, women and children in the metro Detroit community. They have faithfully sent money and volunteered their time and talents at a time when help was really needed.

In fact, the need seems greater than ever. Michkgan’s General Assistance programs, which exist to help the poorest of the poor, are available to fewer people and offer less cash assistance, despite an increase in need resulting from the recession. Even Temporary Cash Asistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, which are available to low-income families with children, leave families well below the poverty line. At the new rate of 23%, the number of children living in poverty in Michigan has more than doubled.

In 2011 in Michigan, more than 552,000 children wre eligible for summer food programs, based on their family’s annual income. The State’s Department of Education figures indicate more than 30,000 school-aged children will become homeless at least once next year, based on last year’s experience. Caseloads for State Department of Human Services staff have skyrocketed to between 350 and 800 per worker. And in order to afford a two-bedroom apartment and meet basic living expenses, the average person needs to make at least $18.44 per hour in wages. Some of our donors are not much better off financially than those we help. Almost all have seen their taxes increase. Yet they still help those in need.

It is because of supporters like ours that we at Detroti Rescue Mission Ministries are more committed than ever before. We will continue to innovate and develop programs to meet the growing needs of people. Programs for the homeless and addicted, as well as for those who need jobs, sober housing, recreation and youth activities. We will also do all we can to take on the needs of those who have been displaced from welfare and take them to a place where they can “fare well.”

With the help of our excellent, collaborative partners and the sacrifice and talents of people like our donors and talented volunteers, our clients may face struggles; However, they will know they are not alone. Fifty-seven thousand saints have given of their money and talents to help them succeed. Thank you!

Singer’s Angelic Voice Silenced

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

February
13

Music lovers all over the world were stunned over the weekend when news broke of the tragic, untimely death of legendary singer Whitney Houston. While the official cause of death is still pending, it appears the 48-year-old Ms. Houston may have lost her battle against the demon that had overwhelmed her life for the past two decades — drug and alcohol addiction. By her own admission, Ms. Houston had abused cocaine, marijuana, alcohol and pills.

Addiction is a powerful force. It can grab hold of you and refuse to let you go. It will change your life and send you into a fast downward spiral. Before you know it, your entire life is out of control. While it is true that an individual must truly “want” to be free of addiction in order to successfully be treated, we all have a responsibility as family, friends, colleagues and employees to assist the addicted in getting the help they so desperately need.

We deal with the devastation of addiction every day here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM). We offer detoxification and substance abuse treatment, regardless of an individual’s economic status. In the late 1960s, the Detroit Rescue Mission recognized that drug and alcohol abuse were increasing among disadvantaged men and women on the streets of Detroit. Addiction was destroying lives and families. That is why DRMM became one of the first non-profit organizations to provide 30- to 90-day in-patient substance abuse treatment to people without insurance. Today, on the eve of our organization’s 103rd birthday, we are the 13th largest treatment program in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.

A supportive environment is necessary for individuals to overcome addiction. They shouldn’t be surrounded by “enablers” who never say no or who encourage negative behavior. To maintain sobriety, a person needs incredible support from family, friends and the church. Aftercare and group meetings are vital for relapse prevention.

We extend our condolences to the family of Whitney Houston. Her angelic voice broke sales and awards records during the peak of her career, securing her place in musical history. Ms. Houston got her singing start in the church, and we know she must be singing for God once again.

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Homeless and Hungry During the Holidays

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

December
14

Throughout the holiday season, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) expects to serve more than 350,000 nutritious meals to the people in our programs and the hungry throughout Metro Detroit. That is a lot of food. But this is the time of the year when we see a marked increase in the number of men, women and children who come through our doors seeking food and shelter.

Maybe it’s because the nights are cooler and longer, and there is nowhere else to go. Or perhaps it’s because their stomachs are aching for the first decent food they’ve had in days.  Or maybe disadvantaged families are desperate to salvage some of the holiday spirit that emphasizes food, friends, family and togetherness. One thing we do know is that times continue to be tough. The economy has not recovered and thousands of people are still losing their homes and jobs all over the country.

Often, the meals we serve at DRMM are the first step to changing a person’s life. Our innovative programs and services — such as substance abuse treatment, job training, educational initiatives, housing assistance, counseling, and spiritual guidance — help our clients get on the road to permanent transformation.

Non-profit agencies like ours need your help to provide meals and vital services in order to continue to make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of men, women and children this holiday season. Your caring gift will give hope to many.  We are thankful for you — our loyal, compassionate friends.  May the Lord bless you now and in the coming year!

A Safe Haven for Veterans

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

November
11

Today is Veterans Day and the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) salutes the men and women who put their lives on the line for our country’s freedom.  Last month, we advanced our efforts to serve Greater Detroit’s homeless and disadvantaged veterans population by celebrating the grand opening of a $1.4 million transitional housing center for homeless veterans who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The facility can house sixty veterans in beautifully-furnished, one-bedroom apartment units. In addition to giving the veterans a place to live, we are providing them with access to many other services that will help with their physical, mental and spiritual growth and recovery. Our goal is to help the veterans re-integrate successfully into the community after returning from the war-torn nations.

It is a disgrace for veterans to risk their lives for our nation’s freedom and then come home and have no place to live and no access to healthcare and mental health services. It is truly a heartbreaking situation. The armed forces will not let mentally and physically unfit people join their ranks, so we should be quick to help returning veterans fit into society after their lives have been forever changed by the stress and aggression of war.

DRMM established the Veterans Independence Program many years ago in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide housing, support services and job skills to the homeless men and women who served in the armed forces. Our new transitional housing program builds upon that commitment to our national heroes. The newly-renovated facility was made possible through the generous support of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Ford Motor Company Fund, and numerous private donors.

We want our supporters to know that the Detroit Rescue Mission will always preserve the dignity and respect of all people who come to us for assistance. We know that bad things happen for various reasons — a tough economy, unemployment or underemployment, chronic addictions, mental illness, medical issues, or psychological trauma brought on by fighting in a war. We wholeheartedly believe that every person deserves another chance and another chance and another chance, if necessary. Plus, everyone has a right to receive quality support services. Especially the brave men and women who sacrificed so much for our country.