Summer is Just Another Season for the Homeless

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

August
19

It’s August and most of us are still hoping for several more weeks of warm temperatures and soothing sunshine, because summer never seems to last long enough.  While we are enjoying the weather, flowers, and vacations, there is a group of people who are not able to bask in the good feelings associated with summertime. They are the thousands of homeless men, women and children in this country.  Unfortunately for them, every season is filled with need and feelings of hopelessness.

Think about that for a second.  Can you imagine what it would be like to always feel helpless and no amount of bright sunshine, calming blue water or colorful flowers could make you feel better?  That describes the plight of the homeless.  Whether it’s cold or hot outside, it’s all the same to them.  Most people only think of the homeless suffering in the wintertime when the harsh temperatures can be unbearable and unfit for life on the streets.  But the need for food, clean clothing, shelter, good hygiene, and safety is timeless and knows no season.

That’s why the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) has to be an agency for all seasons.  The homeless, addicted and disadvantaged come to us year-round for a reprieve from the downward spiral their lives have taken.  In fact, many cities experience a “summer surge,” where shelters see an increase in the number of homeless families seeking help.  Why?  There are different reasons, but some trends indicate that homeless families are welcomed into the homes of relatives and friends during the school semester, but when the kids are out of school for the summer, the living quarters can become too cramped for everyone.  Or perhaps a landlord chooses to evict a family in the summer months rather than during the cold winter season.  Or the summer shelter overcrowding could simply result from the ever-rising unemployment rates.

Yet summer is the most challenging time for agencies like ours that aid the homeless.  Donations and volunteers — the life-blood of our existence — diminish during this time of the year.  Again, that’s primarily because people don’t normally think about the needs of the homeless when the weather is great and everyone is anxious to spend more time outdoors.  Just remember, helping the homeless get started on their life-changing journeys is a reason for any season.

Counting on the Community

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

June
14

As President of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), I depend heavily upon the assistance of the community with the work that we do for the homeless and disadvantaged. Frankly, we couldn’t perform our life-changing work without our volunteers, donors, and supporters. We are proud to count more than 50,000 donors and 120 faith-based institutions as our loyal friends.

Let me give you just a few examples of what happens when the community lends a hand to make a difference in the lives of others. Earlier this year, Starbucks employees from across the country volunteered at two DRMM facilities. They helped paint and sort hundreds of boxes of food and toiletry donations. The group assisted in demolition work at the site of our new teaching restaurant, the Cornerstone Bistro, which will be managed primarily by DRMM clients enrolled in our Culinary Arts School. A Starbucks representative says they helped us because giving back is a big part of the company’s culture.

Many other corporations reach out to DRMM. Cooper-Standard Automotive was the major reason we were able to establish a free health clinic in the Detroit-area for homeless children and their mothers. The S.A.Y. Detroit Family Health Clinic is the first of its kind in the nation — open around the clock and providing maintenance and preventative healthcare for the uninsured and underinsured. Cooper-Standard Automotive contributed money and hard work to get this project off the ground.

And, DRMM was able to give 800 families a brighter Christmas last year, thanks to the generous donations from the Michigan-based Beatrice and Reymont Paul Foundation and many other supporters.

Miracles really do happen. Especially when you can count on the community.

Charging Rent to the Homeless

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

June
8

A recent declaration in New York is stirring up quite a bit of controversy. The City has begun to enforce a 13-year-old state law that requires homeless people with jobs to pay rent to stay in city shelters. According to a state official, the amount will not exceed 50 percent of the individual’s or families’ income.

Critics of the law say this is just making the financial situation worse for the working homeless. How can they save up enough money to move out of the shelters and into their own apartments and homes if they have to pay for their temporary housing? Who decides who can afford to pay and who cannot?

New York’s Deputy Mayor has stressed that the decision to enforce the law is not based on it being a moneymaker nor is the rent money being used to close budget gaps.  But in light of our poor economy, the working homeless should not have another financial burden placed upon them in their journey to recovery and self-sufficiency. Many have been evicted from their homes and have no where to go but to emergency shelters and into temporary housing. They need the opportunity to get back on their feet, while receiving the necessities of food, clothing and shelter.

At the non-profit Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), we emphasize self-sufficiency. Clients are allowed to stay up to two years in our transitional housing program, while they further address the issues that led to their homelessness. They are able to work, go to school or get job training, while receiving a wide range of supportive services. Those in our permanent housing program are allowed to stay as long as they like and must pay some rental costs based on their income.

But what about those living in public shelters? Should the working homeless contribute to the costs of their temporary housing? It’s an interesting situation. I’d love to hear what you think.

A Recipe for Hope

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

April
26

We all can appreciate good food. And the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) is hoping to attract plenty of hungry diners at our new teaching restaurant named Cornerstone Bistro, located in Highland Park, Michigan. Recently, we gave our friends and supporters a sneak peek of the upscale restaurant, which is scheduled to open to the public in May. The restaurant is located in one of our many facilities, the DeVos Ministry Center, a former YWCA building.

We call it a teaching restaurant because our clients at the Rescue Mission are operating it. They’re doing everything — serving, cooking, cleaning and managing the business. It’s part of our culinary arts program in collaboration with Wayne County Community College District (WCCCD). Many of our clients have recovered from drug and alcohol addictions or were left homeless when they lost their livelihood. Cornerstone Bistro provides them with new job skills and valuable work experience. But most of all, it provides them with hope.

All of the people working at the restaurant are motivated to make changes in their lives. They know they are being given another chance to become productive citizens. DRMM is behind them all the way. We provide them with food, clothing, medical services, and a warm place to sleep. However, it’s ultimately up to them to achieve the mindset that will lead to success. This teaching restaurant gives them the tools to begin that journey.

This project would not have been possible without the help of our donors, supporters and contributors. To them, we offer our sincere thanks. We’re excited to bring a new option for healthy dining to the city of Highland Park. And we’re proud to have our people showing the community what they can do. Together, it’s a recipe for hope and good food for the soul.

Make the Homeless Count

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

March
30

By now, you have probably received your 2010 U.S. Census form in the mail. And as I wrote in an earlier blog, one of the big challenges this year is to count the nation’s homeless. The U.S. Census Bureau is holding a homeless count program called “Make the Homeless Count,” on March 29 through 31. Over the three nights, enumerators will count people living in shelters and temporary housing, those eating at soup kitchens and mobile food vans, and others who are staying at outdoor locations.

Cities across the country are holding events to coincide with the census effort and help boost the homeless count. For example, Los Angeles is collecting donated socks and food that will be given to the homeless on March 30. Indeed, it is important that no one is overlooked in this year’s census. Not only do the final numbers impact how much federal funding states receive and determine political representation for communities, but the count will also raise awareness about the prevalence of homelessness across the country. Some of those federal funds are allocated to homeless assistance programs. So it is imperative that an accurate count is taken and that we do all we can to make sure no one is left out.

Social service agencies such as ours, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), are being encouraged by the U.S. Census Bureau to inform and guide those individuals who look to us for information and assistance. It may mean explaining the importance of the Census to a homeless person who is reluctant to take part. Or it could mean providing information on areas where homeless people are known to sleep outside. Or assuring the homeless that the results are confidential.

It’s all a part of what we do — work to improve the lives and welfare of others. Making the homeless count will ultimately result in getting more people off the street.

From Foreclosure to Homelessness

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

March
16

This country has never seen anything like it before. The rate of home foreclosures in the nation has skyrocketed to record highs. This increase in foreclosures is resulting in more homeless families. Some of the displaced move in with relatives or friends and some take up residence in hotels, motels and other transitional housing. Others end up in emergency shelters or on the streets.

Ironically, some homeless individuals turn to foreclosed houses for shelter. In some cities, the number of vacant houses outnumbers the people living on the streets. Often, the foreclosed homes are in much better condition than dilapidated, abandoned houses and in some cases, the water, electricity and gas are still working. A 2009 report authored by a coalition of agencies that work with homeless populations outlines the impact of the foreclosure crisis in communities across the country by utilizing homeless survey data. Click here to read the entire report titled, “Foreclosures to Homelessness 2009: The Forgotten Victims of the Subprime Crisis.”

On the flip side, the foreclosure crisis has resulted in a multitude of lower-priced homes. However, banks have tightened their credit requirements, preventing many people from securing mortgage loans. The result: an increase in the number of people becoming homeless.

Federal, state and local governments are attempting to combat the problem by providing funding to slow the foreclosure tide. The money is allocated in a variety of ways — to assist struggling families, create foreclosure counseling programs, prevent evictions, develop affordable housing, and more. Meanwhile, non-profit organizations that provide shelter and food for the homeless like ours, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), are operating at overflow levels. We’re seeing people who were renting from homeowners who went into foreclosure, leaving the tenants without a place to live. We’re seeing low-income families who can’t afford to pay rising utility bills or maintain their homes. And we’re seeing people who are being turned away from relatives’ homes because of reduced household budgets and increased family responsibilities.

Our policy at DRMM is that we don’t turn anyone away. We make sure everyone who needs it gets a good night’s sleep, a nutritious meal, a soothing shower and decent clothing. We offer encouragement and prayer. Everyone deserves dignity and respect and a chance to live the American Dream.