KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO
CELEBRATING A LEGACY OF FAITH AND SERVICE
Aswe continue to celebrate the Downtown Rescue Mission’s 50th anniversary, I’m reminded of the many remarkable men and women who have shaped its history—pillars of faith and service whose legacies continue to inspire. I’m especially partial to one of those individuals, my dad—Dr. Darwin “Doc” Overholt.
“AND WE KNOW THAT ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD, TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE.”
Romans 8:28
In 1996, Doc received a call from the director of the National Association of Rescue Missions (now known as Citygate Network). The director asked if he’d consider interviewing for the position of executive director at a small rescue mission in Huntsville, Alabama, the Downtown Rescue Mission (DRM). He explained that while the ministry had great potential, it had fallen on hard times. The finances were in poor shape, and over the previous seven years, the Mission had cycled through six directors, most of whom had either left or been let go... a troubling pattern by any standard.
At the time, Doc was a wellrespected leader in the rescue mission world. He had served as executive director of the Buffalo City Mission—one of the top ten rescue missions in the country and was very active with the International Union of Gospel Rescue Missions. Born and raised in the Buffalo area, a move to Alabama was no small decision. But after much prayer, Doc felt called to accept the challenge. In April 1996, we began the journey south.
I still remember the first time I saw the old DRM campus on 9th Avenue. It was rundown and in desperate need of attention. Coming from the Buffalo mission, which had state-of-the-art facilities and had just completed a new women’s and children’s building, I couldn’t help but ask my dad if he was sure about this move. Without hesitation, he said he felt God’s leading and believed his experience in rebuilding ministries could truly make a difference here. And it did...
Over the next 12 years, the Downtown Rescue Mission experienced tremendous growth under Doc’s leadership. His unwavering faith and commitment to sharing the Gospel and his ability to lead with a Godly vision helped transform DRM from a struggling organization into one of the most impactful nonprofits in our community. I’m reminded of Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Today, the Downtown Rescue Mission continues to grow and thrive, built on a foundation of faith, community support and the vision of leaders like Doc. I’m incredibly blessed to still have him in my life and occasionally at the Mission—not only as a Godly mentor and friend but most importantly, as my dad.
FROM CHAINS TO CHANGE
“I’M NO LONGER A PRODUCT OF MY ENVIRONMENT, I’M A PRODUCT OF PURPOSE. I AM AN OVERCOMER. I AM REDEEMED.”
Myname is Kelly. I’m 38 years old and a proud mother of three amazing kids, a grandbaby, a fiancé and three beautiful stepchildren. On May 13, 2025, I graduated from the Life Recovery Program, a milestone to which I give all glory to God. Without Him, I wouldn’t be who or where I am today.
My life hasn’t been easy. As a child, I was sexually abused and I grew up in a broken home where I endured mental, physical and emotional trauma. I didn’t understand its full weight until I was older and found myself trapped in similar cycles.
At 18, I was raped and became pregnant with my oldest son. While pregnant, I met the man I spent the next seventeen years with. We had two more children, and life was good for a while. We had jobs, a home and stability but then drugs entered the picture. Abuse became normal, and I turned to substances to cope. That escape cost me everything: my
children, my freedom and myself. I walked away, fighting to recover, but fell back into old patterns.
Then I met my fiancé. He believed in me, helped me get sober and pulled me off the streets. Just when life was turning around, I was arrested in 2020 for drug trafficking, a crime I didn’t commit. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time –The drugs weren’t mine.
After my release, I had nowhere to go, but God had a plan. In June 2024, I was court-ordered into the Life Recovery Program. Though I didn’t want to be there at first, something changed. In November 2024, the charge was dismissed, but I chose to stay and finish the program.
It’s been the most life-changing experience of my life. I’ve learned recovery is more than quitting drugs; it’s leaving behind the lifestyle that came with them. It’s about building a foundation in Christ.
I’m no longer a product of my environment, I’m a product of purpose. I am an overcomer. I am redeemed.
To everyone who showed me love and reminded me to “Be still and know He is God,” thank you.
Today, I have my children back. I’m sober. I’m ready to see where God leads me next.
RUNNING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS:
A DAUGHTER’S TRIBUTE AT THE GLOW RUN
InFebruary 2025, I spotted a billboard advertising the Downtown Rescue Mission Glow Run. I told my mom I wanted to run my first 5k in memory of my dad. On August 3, 2019, my dad, Marcus Smith, ran the Glow Run 5k with the Downtown Rescue Mission while he was in the rehab program there. He completed his run in 27:57. I knew I couldn’t run that fast, but it was my motivation to run it without stopping. On March 8 of this year, I competed in my first 5k–the Glow Run. I knew from the moment I signed up I was going to wear the same shirt, socks and hat he wore. I completed my 5k in 41:35 and placed 194th in gender and 21st in my age group of 10-14. My pace was 13:23 a mile. I look forward to running many, many more in his memory.
—Gracie Smith
