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.

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.