RECOVERY AND A RENEWED PURPOSE
KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO
WITH YOUR HELP, LIVES WERE CHANGED IN 2024
AsI reflect on 2024, I am filled with immense gratitude for all that God accomplished through the ministries of the Downtown Rescue Mission. Each day, I witnessed His hand at work, transforming the lives of men, women, and children through our ministries, community outreach, and programs. It was truly a blessing to see this community rally together—supporting, volunteering, and praying for the Mission and its guests.
With your help, we were able to make a significant impact in the lives of so many:
Transformation Recovery Program, finding new hope and purpose.
• Moms with children found refuge and safety at Owen’s House, our facility dedicated to supporting women and families.
• Graduates of our programs, both men and women, transitioned into new chapters of their lives, with the help of our transitional housing program.
• And most importantly, many individuals made the life-changing decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior Praise the Lord!
“WHOEVER IS GENEROUS TO THE POOR LENDS TO THE LORD, AND HE WILL REPAY THEM FOR THEIR DEEDS.”
Proverbs 19:17
• Over 430,000 hot, nutritious meals were served to those in need, ensuring no one went hungry.
• Thousands of individuals found safety, shelter, and a warm place to sleep.
• Tens of thousands of pounds of clothing were distributed to individuals and families in need, offering dignity and comfort.
• Over 700 Thanksgiving food boxes were distributed, along with over 1,000 Thanksgiving and Christmas meals served during the holiday weeks, bringing hope and joy to many.
• Thousands of food boxes were given out throughout the year to support families facing poverty and hunger.
• Hundreds of men and women participated in our one-year Bible-based Life
I want to take a moment to personally thank each and every one of you for playing such a vital role in these accomplishments. Your prayers, volunteer efforts, financial contributions, and support of our thrift stores have made all of this possible.
Proverbs 19:17 reminds us, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will repay them for their deeds.” Your generosity has truly made a lasting impact, and we are so thankful for your partnership in this ministry. God is good, and together, we are making a difference in the lives of so many. Thank you, and may God bless you abundantly!
RECOVERY AND A RENEWED PURPOSE
“THEREFORE, IF ANYONE IS IN CHRIST, THE NEW CREATION HAS COME: THE OLD HAS GONE, THE NEW IS HERE!”
2 Corinthians 5:17
Hi,my name is Steven, though everyone calls me Turtle. I came to the Downtown Rescue Mission due to homelessness; my cousin kicked me out, and I had no place to go. I was living under a bridge. In the past, I struggled with pills and alcohol, battling those addictions for years. I am disabled and will be undergoing two spine surgeries. I currently receive disability benefits.
The mission and the Life Recovery Program have been amazing. They restored my faith in God. I lost my baby a long time ago, and my struggles began when I was born. I was left at the hospital after my birth, and my grandparents picked me up and gained custody of me. They cared for me for ten years. When I was ten, I found my grandmother, who I called Mom, in her bed where she had passed away.
Battled with anger issues throughout my teenage years, and an abuse of pills and alcohol. I struggled with that until I was 29, but I have been sober ever since. What I didn’t have before was my faith in God. Now, since being in the Life Recovery Program, I have regained my faith and the tools I need to follow God’s word. I understand that I was never alone; God was always with me. Looking back, I can see how God had His hand in my life.
Now knowing that God brought me to the mission for a reason. I work in the Agape Shop, where I have the opportunity to help people in need. I interact with the public as well as everyone on the premises, and I love what I do. I’ve been in the coffee shop since July, and even though it comes with its struggles and stress, I now know that God has me.
I want to thank not just the Downtown Rescue Mission but also the staff members who have supported me along the way. I am grateful to the teachers who have helped me regain my footing, not just in life but also in society. I give God all the glory for bringing me here.
THE GIFT OF GIVING BACK
Hello,my name is Jonathan Walsh and I have the distinct pleasure of working for the Downtown Rescue Mission as their Director of Marketing in the Development Department. I am married to my wife Janine and have two children Veronica, and Luke as well as a granddaughter Elsie. My family and I moved to the Alabama area 5 years ago from the east coast.
“THIS MISSION IS A VITAL PART OF OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND HELPS TO SHELTER OUR HOMELESS FROM THE HARSH REALITIES OF LIFE WITHOUT RESOURCES.”
In development we have the privilege of raising money for the mission through events, campaigns, and appeals with our ever-growing donor base. Non-profit marketing was a new endeavor to me as my background was primarily in retail/corporate. Diving into faithbased fundraising was intriguing and refreshing. I am encouraged every day to try and develop long-term relationships with individuals that might start as a volunteer then get to know what we do and become donors after they see all that we do for the community. We have these tours called “I had no Idea” tours because after people take our tour a lot of them say just that, I had no idea you guys did all this. One of our department’s sayings is “We can’t do what we do without you.” This statement is true, our volunteers are so important to the success of the mission.
The team and others that I get to work with are amazing individuals who help to sharpen each other
into the best version of ourselves. We want the very best for our Program men, women, and children as well as for the community we serve. This mission is a vital part of our neighborhood and helps to shelter our homeless from the harsh realities of life without resources. I pray for the energy and strength to continue to be used in this capacity for many years to come. It is truly a gift to be able to give back in this way to those in need.
PRESENTING SPONSORS
• Company name and logo prominently displayed as at the Start/Finish Line, on all printed materials, sponsor banners, event brochures and posters
• Recognition Prior to Start of Race & Closing Ceremony
$5,500
• PROMO codes for FIFTY complimentary race entries with T-shirts
• Promotional table at event
• Company-Provided Item in Runner Goody Bags
GOLD SPONSORS
$3,500
• Company name and logo prominently displayed as Gold Sponsor on all printed materials, sponsor banner, event brochures and posters
• Recognition at Race Start and during Awards Ceremony as Gold Sponsor
• PROMO codes for THIRTY complimentary race entries with T-shirts
• Company-Provided Item in Runner Goody Bags
SILVER SPONSORS
$2,500
• Company name and logo prominently displayed as Silver Sponsor on all printed materials, sponsor banner, event brochures and posters
• Recognition during Awards Ceremony as Silver Sponsor
• PROMO codes for TEN Complimentary Race Entries with T-shirts
• Company-Provided Item in Runner Goody Bags
BRONZE SPONSOR
$1,000
• Company name and logo prominently displayed as Silver Sponsor on all printed materials, sponsor banner, event brochures and posters
• Recognition during Awards Ceremony as Silver Sponsor
• PROMO codes for FIVE Complimentary Race Entries with T-shirts
• Company-Provided Item in Runner Goody Bags
HYDRATION STATIONS
• Logo at One of the Four “Stop & Glow” Hydration Stations
• Complete with Music, Lights and a 10-Foot Banner
GLOW RUNNER SPONSOR
$1,500
$1,000
• Register a maximum of 25 runners as a Team and/or Individuals (promo code given after purchase)
• Recognition at Race Start and during Awards Ceremony as GLOW Sponsor
• Complimentary T-shirt for each Participating Runners
• Company-Provided Item in Runner Goody Bags
BRIGHT RUNNER SPONSOR $600
• Register a maximum of 15 runners as a Team and/or Individuals (promo code given after purchase)
• Recognition at Race Start and during Awards Ceremony as BRIGHT Sponsor
• Complimentary T-shirt for each Participating Runners
• Company-Provided Item in Runner Goody Bags
