Homeless Pageant Contestant Holds on to her Dreams

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

April
8

You may have heard about the reigning Miss Colorado USA 2011, who is currently homeless due to a series of unfortunate circumstances. Twenty-three year-old Blair Griffith is living her dream as a pageant winner, but she’s also facing life’s challenges like so many other disadvantaged people in this country.

Blair lost perhaps her biggest supporter — her father — to cancer when she was just fourteen years-old. Her mother suffered a heart attack three years ago and lost her job and health insurance. Faced with dwindling finances, soaring medical bills, a mortgage and student loans, Blair and her mother couldn’t handle it all. They were evicted from their home last November and have been staying with a family friend ever since. In the midst of all this, Blair lost her job at a local department store.

Despite the tragic occurrences in her young life, Blair is still holding her head high. She is preparing to represent the state of Colorado in the Miss USA pageant in June, thanks to the generous support of sponsors. A Chicago-area fashion designer has stepped up to create her pageant gowns for free.

How many of us would be able to face such obstacles with spirit and strength? Every day at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), I see men and women who are homeless and destitute, yet they too have not given up hope. Just like Blair, they still believe they can accomplish their dreams. That’s what makes the difference in their journey to recovery and stability. A positive outlook will see them through to a positive outcome.

Blair Griffith says everything that has happened to her is a test. She meets people who give her strength and realizes there are so many others going through the same situation. In return, she is inspiring others.

Blair is a true survivor, just like so many other people who don’t have a home to call their own. Something tells me the nation will be cheering her on at the Miss USA pageant on June 19th. What a great story of perseverance if she takes home the crown!

Protect the Working Poor

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

March
21

One of the by-products of the nation’s economic downturn is a marked increase in the number of working poor — or working homeless — across this country. These are people who have full-time jobs, yet can’t afford to rent, buy or maintain a home. They come to agencies like ours, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), for assistance. We provide a safe, warm place to sleep, along with food and a place to shower.

There is a budget proposal pending in Michigan that would make life even more difficult for the working poor. Michigan’s newly-elected governor is pushing to end the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) for the working poor. The EITC is a refundable income tax credit for low to moderate income working individuals and families. These tax credits provide people with an incentive to work and stimulate the economy, because the money is usually spent fairly quickly on essentials such as home and auto repairs.

Sadly, the Michigan League for Human Services says ending the Michigan EITC will push an estimated 14,000 children in working families into poverty! That is a primary reason why so many residents look at the governor’s budget proposal as an attack on children. Eliminating the EITC will take away even more financial support from those who can barely make ends meet now. Many people are living paycheck to paycheck and relying on any supplemental funds that are available to them.

Regardless of what happens to the Michigan EITC or to other funding, the DRMM’s mission will remain the same: to use the generous donations of our supporters to help all who come to our doors in need, even if the numbers swell to unprecedented levels.

Weathering the Cold

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

February
25

It has been a particularly cold and snowy winter here in Michigan and other parts of the country. On more than one occasion, the temperatures have dipped into the single digits with wind chills hovering at zero or below. And the snow continues to pile up as we get hit with snowstorm after snowstorm.

As you can imagine, the unusually cold weather can be extremely dangerous for homeless people living in abandoned buildings, vacant houses and under bridges. The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries’ (DRMM) shelters have been used as warming centers during the frigid winter blast. Although we have been filled beyond capacity several times, we made room for more people by setting out chairs and spare mattresses for sleeping. In addition to giving the homeless a place to stay, we provide food, clothing and case management services. We don’t turn anyone away.

During this bitter cold snap, I have been interviewed by several local media outlets — including WDIV-TV4, WWJ Newsradio 950, The Detroit News, and Crain’s Detroit Business — about the human services rendered by DRMM to the homeless and how best to access them. (Click here to read the story that was broadcast on WWJ Newsradio, and here for the Detroit News article.)

Although it is February, we here in Michigan know that we can get ice and snow when the calendar shows it is April! So, DRMM will most likely continue to see an influx of people at our facilities seeking assistance and shelter from the cold. That means we will need more blankets, more food, more warm clothes, and more space to house them. The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries ask for your prayers, donations and support as we weather the storm.

State of Homelessness

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

February
15

A new report on the State of Homelessness in America 2011 shows the nation’s recession is continuing to have an impact on the number of people who have nowhere to call home. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, there was a three percent increase in the country’s homeless population from 2008 to 2009. Hardest hit were families, and the main economic reasons stemmed from unemployment, foreclosure, income, and the burden of housing costs. The report also investigated the demographic drivers of homelessness. Among them are aging out of foster care, release from incarceration, doubled up living situations, and lack of insurance.

Here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), we too have seen an increase in the number of families seeking shelter, food and other human services. Overall, the demand for our services has risen thirty percent. We also understand the challenges faced by men and women who leave the prison system after several years and are suddenly confronted with a transformed society. Often they are released with no housing, transportation or jobs. That’s why we work with the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative (MPRI) to help newly-released prisoners transition back to the community. DRMM services begin before the prisoners are discharged. Our staff visits with them at the jails and prisons to work out a transition plan. We match up many of the former prisoners with church mentors to provide spiritual nourishment. Those who are homeless receive shelter and transitional housing at our facilities. And they are placed in transitional jobs and job training.

DRMM is doing the best we can to address the needs of the whole individual in order to bring lasting change. And without a doubt, preventing homelessness is a key component in America’s economic recovery.

Help for Military Families

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

January
31

President Obama has pledged increased support for the families of U.S. military members. Earlier this week, the president released a detailed report outlining fifty specific commitments that address a variety of issues ranging from homelessness to mental health to spousal employment. It is a government-wide effort involving all cabinet agencies.

It’s great to see President Obama take an unprecedented and sweeping approach to improving the quality of life for military families. Sadly, we know that too many U.S. service members fall into hard times when they return home from serving our country. In fact, the president stressed that perhaps one of the most important commitments is to end homelessness among veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates 107,000 veterans are homeless in this country on any given night.

Here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), we have a special program to help homeless veterans find housing, address health issues, treat substance abuse addiction, advance their education, and learn job skills. Counseling is a key component for the veterans who come to DRMM, along with follow-up services to help them successfully overcome any obstacles to independence and stability.

The president’s plan also places a heavy emphasis on counseling for military families who are more vulnerable to stress when a parent is deployed. The U.S. Department of Defense notes that more than two million service members have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan since September 11, 2001. The White House report details a marked increase in behavioral health issues among the young children of military parents.

The White House report is titled, “Strengthening our Military Families: Meeting America’s Commitment.” That indeed is an appropriate title. Our country should be committed to taking care of U.S. service members’ families, while they put their lives on the line defending our nation. And that far-reaching support must continue for the troops themselves when they come home.

Fame, Fortune & The Homeless

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

January
26

There’s word of another homeless individual who has been suddenly cast into the media spotlight. I’ve written in this space before about Ted Williams, the formerly homeless man who was courted by numerous companies as a voiceover talent after a video highlighting his “golden voice” went viral on the Internet. Now, a homeless man has won the ESPN fantasy football competition. Nathan Harrington of Salem, Massachusetts beat more than three million teams in the ESPN.com contest. His prize? A $3,500 Best Buy gift card, which Nathan sold for cash so that he can move his family into an apartment.

Yes, it’s another amazing story. Nathan became homeless after a car accident two years ago left him unable to work. So, he didn’t even own a computer to participate and track his progress in the contest. He repeatedly borrowed computers from strangers or used one at his father’s nursing home or at the library. Despite his circumstances, Nathan held on to the hope that he could win the fantasy football competition.

Life is nothing without “hope.” The homeless and disadvantaged people that we service at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) seek us out because they have hope that they can escape poverty, addiction or joblessness. It takes determination, a strong will, and faith in God to stick it out when the going gets tough. DRMM is focused on rebuilding lives one at a time, so we are committed to sticking by our clients as they make the journey to recovery and prosperity.

So congratulations, Nathan! I hope this victory kick starts a year of success for you and your family.