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!

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.

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!

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.

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.

Here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), we too have seen an increase in the number of families seeking shelter, food and other human services. Overall, the demand for our services has risen thirty percent. We also understand the challenges faced by men and women who leave the prison system after several years and are suddenly confronted with a transformed society. Often they are released with no housing, transportation or jobs. That’s why we work with the Michigan Prisoner Reentry Initiative (MPRI) to help newly-released prisoners transition back to the community. DRMM services begin before the prisoners are discharged. Our staff visits with them at the jails and prisons to work out a transition plan. We match up many of the former prisoners with church mentors to provide spiritual nourishment. Those who are homeless receive shelter and transitional housing at our facilities. And they are placed in transitional jobs and job training.

DRMM is doing the best we can to address the needs of the whole individual in order to bring lasting change. And without a doubt, preventing homelessness is a key component in America’s economic recovery.

It’s great to see President Obama take an unprecedented and sweeping approach to improving the quality of life for military families. Sadly, we know that too many U.S. service members fall into hard times when they return home from serving our country. In fact, the president stressed that perhaps one of the most important commitments is to end homelessness among veterans. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) estimates 107,000 veterans are homeless in this country on any given night.

Here at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), we have a special program to help homeless veterans find housing, address health issues, treat substance abuse addiction, advance their education, and learn job skills. Counseling is a key component for the veterans who come to DRMM, along with follow-up services to help them successfully overcome any obstacles to independence and stability.

The president’s plan also places a heavy emphasis on counseling for military families who are more vulnerable to stress when a parent is deployed. The U.S. Department of Defense notes that more than two million service members have been deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan since September 11, 2001. The White House report details a marked increase in behavioral health issues among the young children of military parents.

The White House report is titled, “Strengthening our Military Families: Meeting America’s Commitment.” That indeed is an appropriate title. Our country should be committed to taking care of U.S. service members’ families, while they put their lives on the line defending our nation. And that far-reaching support must continue for the troops themselves when they come home.

Yes, it’s another amazing story. Nathan became homeless after a car accident two years ago left him unable to work. So, he didn’t even own a computer to participate and track his progress in the contest. He repeatedly borrowed computers from strangers or used one at his father’s nursing home or at the library. Despite his circumstances, Nathan held on to the hope that he could win the fantasy football competition.

Life is nothing without “hope.” The homeless and disadvantaged people that we service at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) seek us out because they have hope that they can escape poverty, addiction or joblessness. It takes determination, a strong will, and faith in God to stick it out when the going gets tough. DRMM is focused on rebuilding lives one at a time, so we are committed to sticking by our clients as they make the journey to recovery and prosperity.

So congratulations, Nathan! I hope this victory kick starts a year of success for you and your family.

Later this month, the nation’s homeless population will be counted in a mass effort required every two years by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Called the “Point-in-Time Count,” volunteer teams will fan out after dark in cities across the country to locate, interview and count the homeless who are living in the streets and in shelters. Based on the findings, HUD will set funding levels for shelters and other agencies assisting the homeless.

Here in Detroit, the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) takes an active role in the nationwide count. Working in partnership with the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), we are providing volunteers and a staging area for them before they spread out over Detroit. Numerous other service agencies and community and civic leaders will also participate.

This year’s count will undoubtedly shed light on whether the economic recession has resulted in a rise in homelessness. For the first time, volunteers will take a detailed census of homeless veterans and unaccompanied children under the age of eighteen. It also provides an opportunity to inform the homeless of the assistance that is available to them and to distribute care packages containing items such as food, blankets, socks and hygiene products.

As an agency working with the homeless, next week’s count is extremely important. We have seen an increase in the people we serve, so an accurate count will help us get the necessary resources to address the issue more effectively and permanently. The data that is collected through the interviews will also help us promote real change in people’s lives.

Volunteers are still needed across the country to help in the count. Experienced leaders will accompany the teams. Contact your county or local service agencies to find out how you can get involved. Every person counts!

By now, you’ve probably heard about the man in Ohio dubbed as the “homeless man with the golden voice.” Fifty-three-year-old Ted Williams had been homeless for a decade due to drug and alcohol problems. Today, he is two years sober, but has not been able to break out of the cycle of homelessness. That is until a Columbus Dispatch cameraman videotaped Ted speaking in his radio voice as he begged for money on an Ohio highway, holding a sign that touted his “radio voice” as a God-given talent. In fact, Ted had worked in broadcasting prior to his downfall. The video went viral on YouTube, getting more than 11 million hits.

As a result, job offers began pouring in to Ted. During an appearance on NBC’s Today Show, he told how thankful he was to be getting a second chance. But most of all, he exclaimed that his life will be different now, because “This time I have God.” He was also reunited with his 90-year-old mother after a decade long separation.

Ted’s amazing story is but one example of the personal stories that flourish among this nation’s homeless population. As President & CEO of the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), I see extraordinary talent of all sorts in the people who come through our programs. There are musicians, singers, writers, artists, and much more among our clients. In most cases, they possessed the talent, but they got diverted on the wrong path in life. That’s why it is important to DRMM to embrace the talents of the homeless and disadvantaged and provide them with the educational and vocational skills needed to secure jobs and escape poverty permanently.

As Ted Williams’ story illustrates, everyone deserves another chance to live life as a productive and honorable human being, just as God would have us to do.