Desire Street Ministries

The impact Desire Street has on young men and women is far-reaching. They are positioned to help the helpless and have done amazing things for inner-city youth around the southeast. I will gladly sow into this non-profit and encourage others to do the same.

God is using Desire Street Ministries greatly to serve His poor, those near His heart, across America. They are currently reaching out beyond New Orleans to other cities across the southeast. It's an extremely focused organization, working to effectively revitalize inner cities. They daily serve "the least of these", bringing the love and hope of Jesus Christ along with much needed resources to those less fortunate. Desire Street is led by people committed to loving their neighbors, and that begins at the top with Danny Wuerffel. Furthermore, they support deeply dedicated community leaders (ministry partners) that are investing their lives, each taking up their cross, and serving in ways that most of us are unwilling to do, which includes putting their families at risk as they not only minister in inner cities but live there as well.

I take issue with the person who thinks money designated for New Orleans has been invested in other cities. Certainly DSM is expanding their services beyond the original New Orleans site. Praise God for the vision and the God-anointed work that's being done in Montgomery, Lakeland, and other cities. Plus, the original site is being transformed as of this date through partnerships with FEMA and others. They are working daily to re-establish the New Orleans site, which will house another school. When those plans are complete, the light in the 9th Ward will be far brighter. This organization is doing its work with integrity, following God's leading, and can be trusted implicitly.

I have been familiar with Desire Street Ministries for 10 years, when it was headquartered in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina, as well as in its present location of Atlanta. The organization's staff and board are deeply committed to DSM's mission, as guided by vision, faith, commitment and leadership. Their impact, along with their strategic partners throughout the South, is truly making a difference in the fight against poverty and the fight for social justice. I am constantly amazed by the staff's dedication to the poor and am grateful and humbled by my association with Desire Street Ministries.

Desire Street Ministries is a well managed non-profit run by not only business savvy individuals, but people who have a heart for ministering to others no matter the economic or social status. This organization employs strategic business minded employees with visions for growth and corporate modernization while at their core, a dedication to simplify, remain personable and connected to those they serve. My multiple volunteer experiences have been met with quality individuals, streamlined operations and evidence DSM's strategy is navigated by faith, families and dedication to service.

Desire Street teaches me to think in completely new ways. I have learned the value of encouragement and work every day to make it central to my approach to others.

Desire Street Ministries is a great Kingdom work that has grown far beyond one neighborhood. They facilitate relationships between many urban ministries in a growing list of at-risk neighborhoods in cities in Louisiana, Florida, Alabama, Texas, and Georgia. They provide expertise, encouragement and funding. My organization has benefitted directly from DSM in all these ways. Networking with similar organizations is crucial in improving urban ministry and Desire Street has created a structure to foster these relationships. DSM's strategic partner network gives us the privilege of learning from others' mistakes and their successes without starting from scratch. We also have the privilege of sharing our own mistakes and successes with others. It's exciting for us in our at-risk neighborhood to impact other neighborhoods. DSM's model has allowed that to happen.

Desire Street Ministries was founded in New Orleans and received a lot of money from Katrina donations, according to their 990 for 2005, 2006 and 2007. It seems as though they took the money and ran to other cities. What portion of their donations were spent and are being spent to rebuild in New Orleans 9th ward? They have set up an office in Atlanta with highly paid staff, while their building in New Orleans still remains in ruins. Why did they take the money and run? What are their plans to reinvest the millions they received in the Ninth ward or are they like others who ran out on a community still in need?