January
5

As we step into the dawn of a new year, we are moved to express a depth of gratitude that words alone cannot adequately convey. Your unwavering commitment to Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries throughout 2023 has not just touched lives—it has transformed them.

In the past year, your unparalleled generosity, boundless kindness, and profound compassion have served as the driving force behind our mission. Because of you, we were able to provide critical services to over 2,200 individuals daily, ensuring that they found a glimmer of hope even in the darkest of hours. We served over 4,500 daily meals, not just nourishing bodies, but also nurturing spirits.

Your support has been the beacon of light guiding countless souls away from the abyss of homelessness and the throes of addiction, towards a path of renewal and redemption. Your contributions have ignited the flames of hope, reigniting the fires of determination in those who had lost their way.

Together, we have granted over 1,300 inner-city children the priceless gift of a summer camp experience—an opportunity for growth, adventure, and self-discovery. You’ve shown them a world beyond their circumstances, a world filled with possibilities.

Through our Adopt a Family program, you joined hands with us to bring joy and warmth to 2,500 families, touching the hearts of more than 8,000 children. Your gifts made their holiday season brighter, and your generosity warmed their homes.

But your support extends even further. You’ve provided not just a means to get by, but a means to thrive. Your kindness has given at least three families the precious gift of mobility—ensuring parents can work and be present with their children, forging bonds that are truly irreplaceable.

Whether through your financial contributions, your invaluable time spent with us, your fervent prayers, or the positive words you’ve shared about our mission, you’ve fueled our journey every step of the way. Each act of kindness has been a testament to the power of humanity, and we cherish your unwavering dedication.

We acknowledge that there may have been moments when we fell short of fulfilling every request, but rest assured, we will continue to strive with unwavering determination to provide what we can.

Finally, we extend forgiveness to anyone who may have expressed doubt or negativity towards our mission. We understand that misconceptions can sometimes arise, and we hope that through our continued actions, we can illuminate the truth behind our endeavors.

As we embark on this new year, let us carry forward the indomitable spirit of generosity, love, and unity that you have so brilliantly exemplified. With your enduring support, we stand poised to achieve even greater heights in 2024, forging a future that shines brighter for all.

Thank you, not just from the depths of our hearts, but from the depths of the transformed lives you have touched. Together, we are an unstoppable force for change.

With profound gratitude and the highest hopes for the new year,

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.

January
2

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries was filled with gifts and the spirit of gratitude this Christmas as the organization distributed gifts to more than 2,000 families in need across the Metro Detroit area. This was the biggest year yet with over 800 sponsors providing for close to 8000 children.
DRMM’s Kisha Woods-Mathis, Director of Community Engagement and Alecia Rolland, Volunteer Coordinator did a wonderful job organizing and executing the biggest Adopt A Family campaigN FOR 2023. At the event they were surprised with Spirit of Detroit Awards from Detroit City Councilman Coleman A. Young II for their efforts.
Thank you to all of our sponsors, our volunteers our guests of honor, special guests, dignitaries including including Michigan Supreme Court Justice Richard Bernstein,  Coleman A. Young II, At-large Councilman, City of Detroit Mary Waters Councilmember At-Large,, City of Detroit, Assad Turfe, Deputy County Executive, Wayne County, Michigan and
Alisha Bell, Commission Chair, Wayne County. and our dedicated staff for making it happen!

January
2

On Saturday, December 23rd,  University of Michigan star running back Blake Corum brought Christmas joy to our family shelters, inspiring optimism and hope.

He delivered toys to our Genesis House II and III for women and families, and also our 440 refugee shelter.

He toured each location, learned about DRMM programs, took pictures, signed footballs, served dinner, and interacted with everyone!

We are so thankful to Blake, his coaching staff, family and friends who spent their day giving back to our clients in this way.

GO BLUE!

 

December
19

In the symphony of life, where each day brings its own rhythm and melody, there exists an emotion so profound, so deeply touching, that it dances across the soul, leaving a trail of unforgettable joy. This emotion is the essence of giving— a symphony of love, hope, and joy, resonating in the lives of those who need it most. Let me take you on a journey to a recent, unforgettable Saturday when within the warm embrace of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, we experienced this emotion in its most pristine and touching form.

Picture this heartfelt scene: a gathering of over 2000 families, with the innocent eyes of more than 8000 children, all united under a canopy of compassion and kindness. These children, embodiments of innocence and purity, found themselves in a world of challenges they never chose. Yet, they are deserving of all the world’s treasures, just like any other child, and therein lies the true miracle of giving.

Our mission was heartfelt yet monumental: to envelop every child and their families in the true spirit of Christmas joy. With the generosity of our amazing donors, who embraced these families with open hearts, we transformed wishes into tangible expressions of love and care. Each present, each item on their wish list, was a token of dreams becoming reality.

The day was a vibrant tapestry of community and empathy, as volunteers from diverse backgrounds joined hearts. They filled our space with warmth, turning it into a haven of festivity and affection. The halls rang with laughter, with the rhythms of dance and song, celebrating the enchantment of the season.

Our Christmas celebration was nothing short of magical. Delectable food, uplifting music, creative arts and crafts, and heartwarming moments with Mrs. and Santa Claus created an atmosphere of pure bliss. The immense support from our donors, influential individuals, and countless volunteers was awe-inspiring, a testament to the boundless nature of kindness.

Reflecting on this wondrous day fills us with immense pride, gratitude, and a renewed sense of mission. The 2000 families we reached are more than mere numbers; they are a vivid reminder of the profound need in our community and the ongoing work that beckons us.

We extend our deepest thanks to every donor, friend, staff member, and volunteer. Your boundless generosity and commitment have profoundly touched lives, creating ripples of impact that will echo into the future.

Our hope burns brighter than ever, and we are determined to do even more in the coming years. As we look ahead to the future, we envision a world where every child experiences the joy of Christmas, where love and compassion reign supreme. Together, we can make that vision a reality.

With renewed hope and determination, we look towards a future where every child basks in the joy of Christmas, in a world where love and compassion reign. United, we can bring this vision to life.

The most precious gift we received that day was the immeasurable fulfillment that comes from selfless giving. It’s a feeling beyond material worth, a reminder of the limitless beauty of the human spirit. In giving, we discover our true calling, and in the smiles of those we’ve touched, our greatest joy.

Let this be our collective inspiration: the joy of giving, a gift that perpetually gives, a treasure worth sharing with the entire world. As we continue to spread love, hope, and joy, we not only transform the lives of others but also enrich our own souls immeasurably.

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.

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.