December
12

The holidays are a lonely time for the homeless and disadvantaged, a population that’s increased across Michigan over the last few years for myriad reasons. Many are alone with no family and friends, they don’t have a warm house to call their own, and they may not know where their next meal is coming from. Between 2021-2022, Michigan’s homelessness rate grew by 8% across the state. In Southeast Michigan — Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties — homelessness grew by 31%. Data for 2023 has not been released yet as of this report. 

Host Stephen Henderson talks with the CEOs of two Detroit nonprofits about the current state of homelessness and poverty in Detroit and how their organizations are working to provide help and hope for the less fortunate during the holidays and beyond. Dr. Chad Audi, president and CEO of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), and Linda Little, president & CEO of Neighborhood Service Organization (NSO), share information on the growing number of individuals and families who are homeless as a direct result of the COVID pandemic, evictions, job loss, and inflation.

They discuss the programs offered to the homeless and disadvantaged by their respective organizations and the need for more affordable housing to alleviate the homeless crisis. They also talk about food insecurity, the difference between panhandlers and the homeless, and how people can help these two nonprofits help others.

December
6

“THE FIRST TIME I WAS JUST CLEAN… THIS TIME I’M RECOVERED” — GARY

For 14 years, Gary had been clean from his addiction to alcohol and cocaine. Then, while celebrating at his wife’s cancer-free party, he had one drink which started a domino effect. About a year after, he had fully relapsed.

As things got progressively worse, his wife told him he had to leave. By this point, his whole family had distanced themselves from him. For eight months he was without a home, staying on couches and in guest rooms of friends. He finally began to rebuild his foundation when he entered the G.A.T.H.E.R House.

“The G.A.T.H.E.R House really made me think about where I was in my life at that time. It helped me build my structure back up,” he says.

With the help of our program and God’s grace, Gary was able to reconnect with his wife, three kids, and grandchild. That Christmas, they reunited to celebrate together as a family. Gary says this was when he “started feeling good about myself again.”

Your unconditional support shows guests like Gary that there are people who believe in them. With your help, our G.A.T.H.E.R House and other programs have helped changed lives and restored the faith of those who are hurting.

Today, Gary has found a home for his family, and works as an administrator at a children’s hospital. He sticks to his routine every morning that he found at the Mission, reading his Bible and praying. “The first time I was just clean those 14 years… This time I’m recovered. It’s a big difference,” he reflects.

Gary is on a new chapter with restored faith and strength. Please, take a moment this holiday season and consider giving someone like Gary the gift of a new beginning. Every new foundation starts with a hot meal and care.

November
20

November
15

Lansing State Journal

LANSING — The city is opening a new overnight family warming center this winter.

Nov. 27 is the anticipated opening date for the Letts Family Warming Center, 1220 W. Kalamazoo St. Hours will be 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week.

The center will remain open through April 30 and promises to be the first of its kind for Lansing families, according to the city’s Friday statement announcing the opening.

There is a gap between the number of unsheltered families and the number of shelters, said Kimberly Coleman, director of Human Relations and Community Services Department, in an email.

“It is our hope to fill that gap by providing a safety net for these families,” she said.

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries will operate and manage the nighttime warming center, which will be funded through an $800,000 allocation in the state budget for the city to establish such a shelter, according to the city.

The organization won a bid for proposals and operates several shelters, warming centers and facilities in Michigan.

“Keeping families together and sheltered during the cold winter months has to be a priority for Lansing,” said Coleman in the city’s statement. “We have had conversations with the school district and know that there is an incredible need out there right now.

“Our intent is to use the lessons learned this year to better serve our community in the future.”

The shelter will have a capacity of 75, she said, but during severe cold weather emergencies, deemed “Code Blue” by the city, the shelter’s capacity will be increased so it can accept seniors and individuals with disabilities.

During extremely cold times, there can be dozens of warming centers available in the Greater Lansing area, with libraries and churches and malls being among the places welcoming people to warm up.

November
13

Sarah Rahal

The Detroit News
Published 11:07PM ET on November 10, 2023
Highland Park ― Sheldon Cage, an Army veteran, was living on his own, working until his home bills exceeded his paycheck.

Last year, Cage moved into a group home for veterans in Westland but didn’t have any privacy from his four other roommates, especially when his six-year-old son came to visit on the weekends. That was until a case worker at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recommended Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, a nonprofit that recently opened veteran-exclusive supportive housing in Highland Park.

“I really had bad thoughts about Highland Park, but when I saw how nice the unit was, I realized the area is what you make of it,” said Cage, 47. “Ever since then, I’ve been watching the city transform as far as blight, painting murals and bringing the city back to life. Here, veterans are treated special. I know it’s a bad circumstance why I’m here and I don’t want to be treated that way. I’m treated with respect and so do other people who live here and I appreciate that most of all.”

Experts say creating more permanent housing for veterans is a key way to reduce homelessness and one local nonprofit is doing more on that front. In the last year, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries has converted 60 of its transitional units into permanent housing for veterans exiting homelessness.

The initiative is being done in coordination with Community Solutions, the Rocket Community Fund and the Home Depot Foundation.

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is having transitional housing for veterans in Highland Park upgraded. Over the last year, 60 apartments were remodeled in partnership with Community Solutions, Rocket Community Fund and The Home Depot Foundation to provide permanent housing for veterans.

November
10

In a world filled with the chaos of daily life, there are those whose sacrifices resonated silently, yet powerfully, throughout history. These unsung heroes, our veterans, have dedicated their lives to preserving the liberties we cherish. Today, as we pause to remember their unwavering dedication and selfless service, we must remember that gratitude is more than just words; it calls us to action.

At the Detroit Rescue Mission, we support our veterans not only in words but also in action. We understand that a simple “thank you” cannot express how grateful we are for the sacrifices they have made. Instead, we choose to show our gratitude by providing tangible support and unwavering dedication to those who have served our country.

Our mission is simple but profound: we want to make sure that our veterans are not only thanked for their service, but that they are also given the tools and opportunities to rebuild their lives once they return to civilian society. We believe that every veteran deserves a better future, free of the barriers that may impede their reintegration.

We provide housing for our heroes, a safe haven where they can rest and begin the healing process. But our dedication does not end there. We provide counseling and support services because we understand that the wounds of war often go beyond the physical. We work tirelessly to remove roadblocks to success, ensuring that our veterans have access to education, job opportunities, and the resources they need to reclaim their independence.

Our support, however, goes beyond the practical; it is based on the preservation of dignity and respect. We recognize that each veteran has a unique story to tell, and we value their experiences. Our doors are open to all, and we strive to foster an environment in which veterans can reclaim their sense of self-worth and purpose.

Our dedication to veterans is not limited to a single day of remembrance; it is a lifetime commitment to those who have given so much. We invite everyone to join us in this mission of thanks and action. We can work together to make a world in which every veteran is not just thanked for their service but is truly embraced and empowered.

As we remember our veterans today, let us keep in mind that our gratitude for their sacrifices should be translated into meaningful support and opportunities. Let us stand by them, assisting them in rewriting their stories and finding new beginnings. We can make a difference in the lives of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our liberty if we work together.

We thank our veterans not only in words but also in deeds. Your service has shaped our country, and your tenacity inspires us all. We will be eternally grateful, and we are dedicated to ensuring that your return home is filled with hope, dignity, and unwavering support.

Happy Veterans Day, and may we never forget the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much for our beloved country.

Chad Audi,  President and CEO Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries

DRMM is a 114-year-old organization that gives much needed hope and help to the homeless, jobless, drug-addicted and afflicted of southeast Michigan. For more information, please visit https://drmm.org or call 313-993-4700.