Detroit Rescue Mission Offers Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness During The Holidays

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

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.

GARY’S STORY OF RECOVERY AND RENEWED FAITH

Posted in: Newsletters, Stories

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.

Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries Named 2023 Neighborhood Builder by Bank of America

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

November
20

Lansing to open overnight family warming center

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

November
15

Mike Ellis
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.

 

In push to reduce veteran homelessness, housing projects provide ‘safe stability’

Posted in: In the News, Latest News

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.
The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is having transitional housing for veterans upgraded. Over the last year, 60 were remodeled in partnership with Community Solutions, Rocket Community Fund, and The Home Depot Foundation to provide permanent housing for veterans. 
Director of Housing Benne Baker talks about the amenities of the kitchen in a unit at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries housing for veterans in Highland Park on Nov. 3, 2023. Sixty apartments were upgraded in partnership with Community Solutions, Rocket Community Fund and The Home Depot Foundation.
Director of Housing Benne Baker talks about the amenities  of the kitchen in a unit at the DRMM housing for veterans in Highland Park on November 3, 2023.
Sixty apartments were upgraded in partnership with Community Solutions, Rocket Community Fund, and The Home Depot Foundation. 

 

About 28 veterans are living in the units already and the Ministries is hosting an open house from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 15 at 211 Glendale to find additional tenants in need of help.

Studies show veterans are two to three times more likely than the general public to experience homelessness. In Michigan, more than 2,400 veterans ― many with families — are homeless, according to the Homeless Management Information System. And 600 of them are in Wayne County.

Experts say a number of factors can make a difference in reducing veteran homelessness, including creating more permanent housing, reducing barriers and collection real-time data.

From January 2018 to September 2022, Detroit has driven a 50% reduction in veteran homelessness, helping 1,175 veterans find housing, according to council records.

Last week, Detroit also held a groundbreaking for the $16.4 million Benjamin O. Davis Veterans Village on Outer Drive. Featuring 25 apartments for veterans and 25 apartments for those with disabilities, it’s expected to open in August 2025.

“We believe that ending veteran homelessness is possible and are proud of how the entire Detroit community has come together toward this goal,” said Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Rocket Community Fund, which contributed $300,000 to the project.

DRMM also offers job training to homeless veterans through the Detroit Training Center so that they can get on the road to financial growth and independence.

“People tend to be very passionate about helping veterans for only a few months or holidays out of the year. After that, they sort of fade into the background,” said Dr. Chad Audi, CEO and president of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries. “In addition to our other year-round Veteran assistance programs, initiatives like this one will ensure our soldiers are housed and supported year-round and give them the tools to recover their lives and independence, which is always our end goa

Cage is a father of four ― three of his children are in college and his six-year-old son now enjoys staying with him on the weekend. Since he moved in around January, he pays $670 per month for the apartment and says it’s hard seeing himself leaving before April.

Noah Cage, left, sits with his dad, Sheldon Cage. Sheldon now lives in a development for veterans created by Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries in Highland Park where Noah can visit him.

Noah Cage, left, sits with his dad, Sheldon Cage. Cage now lives in a development for veterans created by the Detroit Rescue Mission in Highland Park where Noah can visit him. 

 

“I lost my job this year and was low on funds. They said, pay whenever you can… They make me mentally and physically comfortable and for my son who comes here on the weekend. It’s not a huge rush to get out and not a huge rush to stay,” said Cage, who served in the army from 1998-2012.

Fred Tucker, 63, was the first veteran to move into the apartments. He signed a year-long lease in August 2022 and recently left because he was able to move into his own home.

“My year there was exactly what I needed. A stable, clean place, a quiet place because I was coming from turmoil and I was blessed to be there for a year,” said Tucker, who served in the Army from 1978-1982. “I found out from my counselor about the housing at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries and I loved my time there but I eventually wanted more space.”

Residents at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries housing for veterans in Highland Park have access to a community room for various activities.
Residents at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries housing for veterans in Highland Park have access to a community room for various activities.

“Living here, people complain about it being small and it is small but the way you are treated and how everything is safe, especially at night… It’s an opportunity to save and turn things around and I appreciate it. When I get back to how I want to live, I will credit this place for the bridge it helped me build,” Cage said.

Veterans in need of assistance should call 1-800-MICH-VET or visit Michigan.gov/MVAA.

srahal@detroitnews.com

Honoring Our Heroes: A Heartfelt Tribute to Our Veterans

Posted in: From Dr. Chad Audi

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.