From Desperation to Transformation: The Vision Behind Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM)

In the heart of Detroit, where streets once echoed with the pain of poverty and addiction, a new song of hope now rises. It begins quietly—one person at a time—then swells into a symphony of transformation. This is the story of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM), and the man who took a vision of faith and turned it into a lifeline for thousands.

At the helm stands Dr. Chad Audi, a servant-leader, visionary, and relentless advocate for those society too often forgets. Under his guidance, DRMM has evolved from a small mission to a sprawling, 21-site humanitarian network that touches over 4,500 lives every single day.

In conversation with, Dr. Chad Audi, President and CEO of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries

Q. What was the motivation behind starting Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM)?

DRMM was originally founded in 1909, but its true revival happened many years later when I joined during one of its most difficult periods. At the time, the organization was facing a serious budget shortfall, deteriorating facilities, and a drop in morale. As a first-generation immigrant who understands struggle on a personal level, I felt a deep responsibility to help.

What I saw were people who had been cast aside, not just lacking a home or a meal, but also stripped of their dignity, purpose, and identity. I believed we had the ability to do more than just meet basic needs. We had the opportunity to truly transform lives.

That belief helped reshape DRMM into more than just a place of refuge. It became a movement focused on restoring hope and rebuilding lives.

Q. Can you explain about your services in brief?

Today, DRMM offers one of the most comprehensive and compassionate service portfolios in the country. What we provide goes far beyond emergency help—it’s focused on long-term healing and transformation. We offer everything from emergency shelters for individuals and families to job training, addiction recovery, youth mentoring, veteran support, mental health services, and permanent housing. Our goal is to meet people wherever they are in life and walk alongside them through every step of their journey.

As I often say, we treat the person, not just the problem. It’s not only about feeding the hungry or housing the homeless. It’s about helping individuals rise above their circumstances and empowering them to reclaim their futures. Some of the services we provide include transitional and permanent housing, addiction recovery programs—both residential and outpatient—mental health counseling, trauma care, support for veterans, workforce development, reentry programs for returning citizens, youth mentoring, and spiritual enrichment for those who choose it.

We don’t just serve meals. We serve futures.

Q. DRMM’s “Continuum of Care” model treats the ‘total person—mind, body, and spirit.’ How does this holistic approach uniquely address systemic challenges like recidivism or relapse compared to traditional shelters?

Many traditional shelters offer short-term relief, which is important, but it can often feel like placing a Band-Aid on a much deeper wound. At DRMM, we take a different approach through what we call our Continuum of Care model. Addiction, homelessness, incarceration—these are not the root issues. They’re symptoms of much deeper pain and trauma. That’s why we don’t stop at just providing food and shelter. We go deeper. We listen to people’s stories. We walk with them through recovery, education, job training, and even spiritual discovery for those who are open to it.

This integrated, person-centered approach makes a real difference. It significantly lowers rates of relapse and recidivism. And most importantly, when people leave DRMM, they don’t leave empty-handed—they leave with tools, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. They leave empowered.

Q. Your staff includes many individuals who once benefited from DRMM’s programs. How does this lived experience enhance trust and effectiveness in guiding others through recovery and reintegration?

This is where the real magic of DRMM happens. When someone in crisis walks through our doors and is met by a staff member who can say, ‘I was once in your shoes,’ it changes everything. It replaces shame with hope. It turns strangers into trusted guides. And it helps rebuild trust in places where trust was completely broken.

Many of our team members today are former clients—people who have walked through their own valleys and come out the other side. They now serve as case managers, chaplains, peer mentors, and leaders throughout the organization.

Their presence sends a powerful message: change is not only possible—it’s contagious.

Q. DRMM emphasizes spiritual life services without mandating participation. How does this balance of faith-based support and inclusivity strengthen outcomes for diverse populations, including veterans or homeless mothers?

Faith is the heartbeat of our mission, but it’s never a requirement. At DRMM, we serve all people—regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances—with compassion and without condition. Our foundation is faith, but our practice is love. That kind of approach creates a safe and welcoming atmosphere where people can truly begin to heal. Veterans find peace. Homeless mothers find a sense of sanctuary. Children find light in moments that might otherwise feel hopeless. We never push anyone into a spiritual journey. We invite them. And when someone chooses that path on their own terms, it becomes something deeply personal, powerful, and healing.

Q. Collaboration is key to DRMM’s impact. Can you share a pivotal partnership (e.g., S.A.Y. Detroit Clinic or Michigan Department of Corrections) that expanded your reach or improved service delivery?

Partnerships are absolutely essential to what we do. They’re bridges that allow us to reach further and serve more people in meaningful ways. One powerful example is our collaboration with the S.A.Y. Detroit Family Health Clinic, founded by Mitch Albom. This clinic provides no-cost, high-quality medical care to underserved women and children—many of whom also find shelter and stability through DRMM.

We also partner with the Michigan Department of Corrections to support returning citizens through housing and reintegration programs. These efforts are helping break the cycle of incarceration and create real pathways to a new life. Partnerships like these allow us to go beyond what we could do alone. Together, we cross the chasm from despair to destiny.

Q. DRMM reports a 4-Star Charity Navigator rating and CARF accreditation. How do these benchmarks translate to tangible trust for donors and clients, and what metrics beyond finances define your success?

Trust is everything. Yes, we’re proud to have a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator and accreditation from CARF, which reflect our commitment to transparency and excellence. But at DRMM, we measure success in more human terms. We count jobs gained, addictions overcome, families reunited. We look at how many people walk out of our doors not feeling broken, but feeling brave—ready to start a new chapter. For our donors, these outcomes show that every dollar is used with care and purpose. For our clients, they mean the services we provide are not only safe and effective, but truly transformative.

Q. What does the future hold for your company and its customers? Are exciting things on the way?

The future of DRMM is bold and full of possibility. We’re expanding our senior-to-youth mentorship program to build meaningful connections across generations. We’re also transforming more vacant buildings into family housing, creating safe, stable places for people to rebuild their lives. Another exciting step is the launch of mobile outreach programs, which will allow us to meet people exactly where they are—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. We’re also laying the groundwork for new centers of excellence focused on trauma recovery, workforce readiness, and youth empowerment.

Every year, we rise higher. And we won’t stop until every person we serve has a clear path—a ladder—to hope.

Meet the leader behind the success of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries

Dr. Chad Audi, President and CEO of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is a man of rare vision and relentless heart. A finance expert turned faith-driven leader, he transformed DRMM from a struggling $4 million mission into a $25+ million force for good. Under his stewardship, DRMM grew from three sites to over 21 thriving campuses, now serving more than 4,500 people daily. He is not just a nonprofit leader—he is a bridge builder, a crisis solver, a dream enabler.

“Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is more than an organization. It is a revolution of compassion. DRMM is the proof that when faith meets action, brokenness becomes beauty. And Detroit becomes not just a city of resilience—but a city of resurrection.”