Degage Ministries
Degage Ministries mission statement is "to reflect the love of Christ to all who come through our doors by building relationships and ofering programs that foster dignity and respect."
Description:
Degage Ministries is a four story ministry. A dining room is found street-level. This dining room is a welcoming environment to anyone who wishes to come. Three meals a day are provided at-cost. Purchasing food for a fee provides dignity and self-worth. There is a food for work program for those who wish to earn vouchers or bus tickets.
The Life Enrichment Center is located on the second floor. This center is more program oriented and provides services such as a mailing address, voice mail, referral service, hygiene services (showers and laundry), a hair salon, personal care product distribution, locker rental, substance abuse support, group therapy, pet therapy, a music program, speakers, and a mentoring program.
The health and fitness program is facilitated on the third floor in the gym. The food pantry is located on the fourth floor. It is a Key Pantry Partner through ACCESS. Run as a co-op those who shop in the pantry choose what will be in it, stock the shelfs and keep it clean. The food pantry is set up with aisles so that people can choose what they want rather than having it handed to them.
Wednesday through Sunday from 9pm-9am, the Open Door Women's Drop-In Center is a safe haven for women in crisis. Staff is available for counseling, referrals
and support.
History:
The Coffeehouse: Dégagé is best known for its coffeehouse, which offers a safe alternative to the streets by providing a place for relationship building and relaxation. Seven days a week, meals are offered at a low-cost with the intent of promoting dignity and responsibility. Allowing patrons the opportunity to choose what meal they would like to purchase and how they would like it prepared grants them the opportunity to exhibit self-sufficiency rather than making them feel like a perpetual charity case.
The Open Door Women’s Drop-In Center: The newest program to Dégagé is the Open Door Women’s Drop-In Center, which was opened in October 2003. Operating from 8:00pm to 8:00am, the Open Door is a safe haven for women in crisis. Women are provided with a place to sleep, access to showers and lockers and the opportunity to be part of support groups. The center averages 25-30 women per evening. Women may come to the center as an alternative to sleeping outdoors, to escape a domestic violence situation or to find temporary shelter during transition. Since opening, over 1,030 women have utilized the Open Door.
Life Enrichment Center Referral Services: In 2000, Dégagé opened the Life Enrichment Center on its second floor. Serving approximately 100-150 individuals daily, the Life Enrichment Center offers a variety of services to the Heartside residents. One of the main components of the Life Enrichment Center is its referral desk. Here, patrons receive assistance in many areas such as finding housing, obtaining employment, securing funding for medical care, information about rehabilitation, and other immediate and long-term needs.
Additionally, over 400 individuals use Dégagé as their mailing address. They can also participate in its voice mailbox system, allowing a central location to receive messages. Bible studies, AA meetings, substance support groups and men’s support groups are offered throughout the week. Twice weekly, pro-bono legal services are available.
Hygiene Facilities and Basic Needs: The Life Enrichment Center is a primary center for hygiene care in the Heartside Neighborhood. Shower facilities are offered to residents at no cost. A laundromat and hair salon allows clients the opportunity to wash their clothing and get a haircut for a minimal fee. At least 45 bags of personal care products are also distributed weekly. During operating hours, patrons can purchase underwear, socks, coats, etc. Over 70 lockers are also available to rent. These provide a safe place for clients to store their personal belongings while living in the mission or on the street.
State Identification Program: Obtaining legal identification is a necessary milestone in an individual’s pursuit to become self-supporting. To obtain a state ID, a person must present numerous forms of documentation such as a marriage license, birth record or school record. These documents are often difficult to obtain or require a fee to procure. Many of the homeless, previously incarcerated and unemployed population do not have the resources or funding to acquire an ID. Furthermore, an individual is unable to cash a check, receive a Social Security card or open a bank account without proper identification. As a result, many individuals are being turned away from possible employment opportunities and housing; ultimately inhibiting the individual’s ability to achieve a level of self-reliance. In October 2002, Dégagé Ministries launched a State ID Program to respond to this need and has since helped over 3,000 individual obtain an ID.
Food Pantry: The fourth floor of Dégagé houses the food pantry. Approximately 50 households are served through Dégagé’s food pantry on a bi-weekly basis. Under the umbrella of the ACCESS food network, the food pantry is a co-op program, allowing residents to assist in its operation. It was also the forerunner of consumer choice pantries in Grand Rapids.
Dégagé Dollars: The “Dégagé Dollars” program allows patrons to earn bus tickets or vouchers towards Dégagé’s meal services and Life Enrichment Center programs. Over 30 jobs are filled each day as patrons perform routine custodial jobs throughout the facility. “Dégagé Dollars” encourages individuals to become self-sufficient and responsible members of the community.
Recreation: Dégagé finds great significance in providing opportunities for neighbors to escape the monotony of everyday life on the street. Monthly, the organization offers special events such as trips to the beach, a musical performance or a sporting event. Holiday parties and celebrations are a tradition.
Contact person: Bradi Fitzpatrick, Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (616) 459-7200
Address:
 |
144 S. DivisionGrand Rapids, MI 49503(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.degageministries.org
Directions:
|
From I-96:
Take the 131 South exit.
Take the Wealthy exit.
At the light at the end of the ramp turn left. Proceed to Division. At Division turn left. The next major intersection is Cherry and Division. Degage is located on the Northeast corner of the intersection. On the Southeast corner is a blue Goodwill. On the Southwest corner is a gravel parking lot available for free parking. |
| Last updated on November 23, 2009 |
