KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF HOPE:
Whatbegan humbly in the early 1970s with a few faithful hands passing out sandwiches from the back of a car has, by God’s grace, grown into a 17-acre campus that now serves nearly 400 men, women, and children each day. As we mark 50 years of ministry, I pause to reflect with deep gratitude and overflowing joy on all that God has done through the Downtown Rescue Mission through the years.
Through every season of need, the Mission has grown in response. Over the years DRM has had a couple of locations with the first being in “downtown” Huntsville, thus the origins on our name. In 2008, we moved our entire operation from 9th Avenue to our current location on 1400 Evangel Drive, establishing a foundation for future growth and greater impact. A decade later, in 2018, we expanded again with the opening of Owen’s House—a 30,000-square-foot facility dedicated to serving women and children in need of shelter, healing, and hope.
“TRULY I TELL YOU, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME.”
Matthew 25:40
A year later, we launched our first “Grad House,” a transitional housing program designed to support graduates of our one-year recovery program as they take their next steps toward independent living. What a joy it is to watch each of them thrive!
When I first joined the DRM family back in 2000, we had only one small thrift store on our old campus. Today, we operate six stores across North Alabama, each one not only funding our programs, but also helping as an outreach to the communities they serve. I truly believe they’re the best stores in town!
Over the years, some of my most cherished memories have taken place at our quarterly graduation ceremonies. Witnessing men and women, who were once broken by addiction and hardship, be renewed and transformed through a relationship with Jesus Christ never fails to move me. Their stories
JOURNEY OF THE DOWNTOWN RESCUE MISSION
of redemption and the renewal remind me why this work matters. Every time I run into a former graduate out in the community, proudly sharing how the Mission helped change their life, I’m filled with joy time and time again. This 50-year journey of the Downtown Rescue Mission would not have been possible without you... our faithful supporters, volunteers and prayer partners. The Downtown Rescue Mission is entirely sustained by the generosity of our community, and we are deeply thankful for 50 years of trust and partnership.
As we look back on five decades of transformation, we also look forward with great hope and expectation for all that God has in store. The work isn’t finished, and the need is still great. But with your help, we will continue to be a light in the darkness for every soul who walks through our doors.
Here’s to the next 50 years of faith, service, and changed lives.
50th Anniversary Celebration!
September 16th, 2025 • Lunch 11-1 or Dinner 6-9
Matthew West is a five-time GRAMMY nominee, NSAl’s 2022 Songwriter-Artist of the Year, ASCAP’s 2023 Golden Note Award recipient, ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year recipient, and a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner. He has received an American Music Award, a BillboardMusic Award, K-LOVE Fan Awards, GMA Dove Awards and has been named Billboard’sHot Christian Songwriter of the Year. A recipient of the Rich Mullins Impact Award, West also received a Primetime Emmy® Award nomination for Original Music & Lyrics for the title track for the feature film “The Heart of Christmas.” Dubbed “one of Christian music’s most prolific singer-songwriters” (Billboard), West has been awarded RIAA Gold and Platinum certifications and notched 37 No.1 songs combined as an artist and songwriter.
Mike G. Williams is a nationally known speaker and writer who has a passion for life. He is heard daily on the SiriusXM’s Laugh USA. He has recorded numerous comedy projects and written fourteen books. Included in those books are Men Moved to Mars When Women Started Killing the Ones on Venus and Love Is NOT A Three-Letter Word (A new look at Abstinence). His own personal adoption story and the rescue and subsequent adoption of his son will move you to tears of great joy. Each of Mike’s presentations are given in a very positive humorous direction that will leave every listener feeling encouraged and empcwered to make a difference. He came to popularity as a pro-life speaker after Focus on the Family brought his personal story to a national spotlight. Mike will have you rolling on the floor with laughter, while simultaneously building your reverence for the work of local lifesaving organizations…
