While factually accurate regarding the council’s vote, I’m writing to correct a false conclusion made by Ray Gronberg in his article in the 9/8/16 Herald-Sun, “Council puts mission property in historic district.”  The Durham Rescue Mission fell one vote shy of our goal, but we appreciate the attentive council members all sharing very humbling and kind words about the ministry of the mission and what it means to our community.  While we’re disappointed in their vote, we look forward to working with them in the future to continue to improve our community.

In the article, Ray concluded the mission has been “a reluctant participant in talks with neighbors,” and that conclusion is far from the truth.  We have reached out to the neighbors many times, we’ve invited them to events, invited them to sit down over coffee to discuss their plans and ours.  In fact, we invited Mrs. Freeman and every other neighbor to a neighborhood block party earlier this year and even asked her to address the crowd.  Listening to some, you wouldn’t know it, but here’s a video on our Facebook page of her remarks.

In 1974, one of our first neighbors, Ossie Leonard said that we saved his neighborhood.  I’m sure the Durham Rescue Mission doesn’t deserve all of the credit, but I know we will continue to help those neglected in our community and be good neighbors to everyone – just like we’ve been for the last 42 years.  God has great things in store for the Durham Rescue Mission, and we’re excited to see what He has planned!!  Please contact me, if you would like to help us.

Ernie C. Mills, Jr., CCNL
PO Box 11858
Durham, NC 27703
Direct #. (919) 683-4026
M. (919) 697-8875
Ernie.MillsJr@DurhamRescueMission.org