MARCH 2019
COMPLETE
Surrender
W
KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion. And came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him” Luke 10:30, 33-34
NO BOUNDARIES!
e all have heard the familiar parable that Jesus told about the Good Samaritan. After two other religious men had already passed by this man who was in dire need the Samaritan came by and showed the man compassion. It did not matter how old he was, or what his skin color was, or what language he spoke he felt a need to care for someone that no one else would care for. The Samaritans were hated and despised and seen as only halfbreeds by the Jewish culture. But Jesus’ assertion was that Christian love should have no boundaries. Here at the Downtown Rescue Mission our goal is to reach out to all people, whether rich or poor, young or old, any shape, size, color or race. We want to show and share Christ’s love with anyone who will listen. In fact, my staff and I believe that the only way the men, women and children who come to the Mission in need will
truly find help is when they make that life changing decision to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In Romans 3:23 it states, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” It’s not just the homeless guy under the bridge, or those addicted to drugs and alcohol and not just the poor and homeless, but all fall short. We can be thankful, especially during this Easter season, that God sent his only son to die for all of our sins. In Romans 6:23 it says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” That free gift is shared every day at the Downtown Rescue Mission. Please help us continue our mission of sharing hope with your prayers and gifts as we reach out to a lost and dying world.
SPRING CLEANING
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Cleaning out your closet this spring? Donate your extra or unwanted items to Downtown Rescue Mission and help someone in need.
#MISSIONSPRINGCLEAN You can drop-off your gently-used items at: 1400 Evangel Drive NW, Huntsville, AL 35816
MISSIONMOMENTS | March 2019
DONATE
COM COMPLETE
Surrender
“I UNDERSTAND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TO LET GOD BE THE LORD OF MY LIFE, ALL OF MY LIFE COMPLETELY SURRENDERED TO HIM.”
O
n July 27, 2018, my three children and I came to Owen’s House after leaving my husband due to alcoholism. All during our marriage I have tried to maintain control, and even manipulated my husband to be the man I thought he should be. Over time, it became exhausting trying to fix him and put a mask on for the outside world to think that we were living the American Dream. I had read books, blogs, and prayed many prayers but I knew in my heart God was asking me to stop and surrender it all to Him. Within a week of arriving at Owen’s House, I joined the mom’s program and started to attend classes. While in class, I have learned the characteristics of God, how to discern His voice, and what it means to train up your children according to God’s Word. God has showed me how to seek after Him with my whole
heart, not just to restore my family, because He gave me a desire to know Him. One week ago we celebrated my husband graduating his initial six month commitment at another Christian facility eighty miles from us. For the first time in our marriage, we know what it means to be in Christ. I understand what it looks like to let God be the Lord of my life, all of my life completely surrendered to Him. I no longer have to “fix things” because He is sovereign. I no longer strive to be perfect because He is. I no longer think I have to earn my salvation because He already paid the price. I’m so thankful for God’s provision of providing Owen’s House for women and children, not only as a physical shelter but as a spiritual covering as women come here and grow in the Lord. -Jennifer Bean
https://donate.downtownrescuemission.org
MISSION IN MY WORDS
FRANK
I
WILLIAMS
live and work right here in Madison County. This community is family to me and I work every day to improve the living environment for everyone who calls Madison County home. A few months ago, the Holiday season had arrived, and with it the spirit of giving. As part of our Seasonal Holiday Giving we wanted to spread holiday cheer to those most in need. Our mission is always to find the areas where the need is the biggest and to get into the trenches with the organizations who attempt to fulfill those needs. We strive to improve our community daily, as we are aware that without a healthy community we do not have a successful community.
“I AM EXCITED FOR A CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH DOWNTOWN RESCUE MISSION AS WE MOVE FORWARD TOGETHER IN STRIVING TO FULFILL THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.� This focus brought us to the Downtown Rescue Mission, whose mission is to provide care and guidance to those who find themselves homeless. They have an annual program that people can join to realign themselves and relearn valuable life skills to hopefully be able to lead fruitful lives upon completion of the program. There were three individuals who completed the program and were excelling, however, life still seemed to get in the way and we wanted to clear a path for them so we began the Frank Williams Subaru Graduate Scholarship Fund. First up, we helped a young mother reestablish a home for her son by
providing warmth and comfort through furnishings for her new apartment. Second, we helped a young man go to college to get a degree in social work. Last, but certainly not least, we helped a lady find her confidence by providing a brand new smile! These combined efforts made deep impacts on the lives of these individuals. They had put in the work and succeeded, however, as life has a habit of doing, it placed more roadblocks in their paths. I felt it my duty to step up and clear the way so they could finally overcome their pasts and take that first step into a brighter and happier future. I am excited for a continued partnership with Downtown Rescue Mission as we move forward together in striving to fulfill the needs of our community members experiencing homelessness, whatever the cause may be.
MISSIONMOMENTS | March 2019
SHARING THE LOVE
AN UPDATE FROM STACEY AND STONE SINCE GRADUATION
I
wanted to give you all an update on Stone and I since sharing our story last March. We continue to be thankful, grateful and blessed almost four months after graduating from the Women and Children’s Program at Owen’s House. In June 2018, I was hired as an Administrative Assistant at a local faithbased community outreach. In the last seven months, I have received two raises and a promotion to Lead Coordinator for over fifty Community Ambassadors we assign to over twenty Partner Organizations within our most treasured neighborhoods. Thankfully, the Downtown Rescue Mission and Owen’s House are part of that community. During that time, Stone has started preschool at Lil’ Linc at Lincoln Academy and as of December 22nd, we were chosen from a waiting list to become residents of Lincoln Village Ministry in the Lincoln Mill Neighborhood. Further, to help us fill
N
our home with all we needed, we were the recipients of donated dishes, cleaning supplies, towels, etc. Along with this, God saw fit to see that we were among the first recipients of the Frank Williams Subaru Graduate Scholarship Fund, in which we were awarded $2,500.00 of Ashley furniture for our new home. With this scholarship fund, graduates of the Mission’s programs have the opportunity to receive help transitioning into their new lives after graduation; we were so blessed to be chosen and will be forever grateful. As someone who now plays a small part to support non-profits and people in need within our communities, I can continue to receive God’s calling and guidance in glorifying Him and giving back. I hope to continue this good work by being a small light in the lives of those in my community, just as they and Owen’s House truly have been and will forever continue to be a light in mine.
WE HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS TO SHARE!
on-profit evaluator Charity Navigator has awarded the Mission a four-star rating! Charity Navigator, an independent evaluator, bases its ratings on non-profits’ financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. We now have the #1 rating possible in the industry, and we couldn’t have received this honor without you. Thank you for trusting us with your donations, your volunteer time, and your good will. Your trust and support means so much to us and the guests that we serve.
O
4TH ANNUAL RESURRECTION BANQUET
n Friday, April 19, the Mission will be hosting its 4th Annual Resurrection Banquet. Similar to our popular Thanksgiving and Christmas banquets, the Resurrection Banquet will take place during the lunch hour at both of our facilities. We need volunteers to decorate the dining halls and serve our guests and residents a meal with all the fixins’. The meal will be served restaurant style in which volunteers act as waiters and waitresses at each table while also overseeing the food line, dessert and drink stations, trash detail, and more. Christ died on the cross for our sins on Good Friday, to be resurrected as He said He would be three days later. Volunteering for this banquet shows His love through your actions. Sign up today by contacting Corey, Director of Operational Support. His contact number is 256-536-2441 ext. 316 and email corey@downtownrescuemission.org. Men, women, and children can volunteer at either facility. This is a great way to prepare your heart for Easter and serve those He loves! WE HAVE THIS NUMBER OF SLOTS AVAILABLE:
MAIN FACILITY
OWEN’S HOUSE
Decorating, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: 10 slots Meal serving, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: 30 slots
Decorating, 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.: 10 slots Meal serving, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.: 20 slots
FORE! T
interjection, Golf. (used as a cry of warning to persons on a golf course.)
his is your cry of warning! Don’t be in danger of missing the 13th Annual tournament. It’s time to get outside and enjoy some golf with your friends and colleagues. The Downtown Rescue Mission Classic is at Huntsville Country Club, on Monday, May 6, 2019. The scramble tournament will include games and prizes with continental breakfast and lunch catered by Huntsville Country Club. This is a great way to have fun with great clients or reward your staff, all while supporting the hurting and homeless men, women and children in our community. We are very excited about this year’s Classic. With your help this will be the best tournament yet. Preparations are well underway and there are a few sponsorship opportunities still available. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Downtown Rescue Mission counts on you and your friends in the community to help make fundraising events like this successful. The proceeds from this tournament will ensure that we can continue to provide essential care to homeless and hurting men, women, and children in the Tennessee Valley. Your donations, sponsorships, and participation helps directly provide physical, emotional, and spiritual help to those in need. YOU make it possible! Register your team or sponsors now. Contact Tonia at tonia@downtownrescuemission.org or 256-713-4343 for more information.
LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED JANUARY 2019 Meals Served
28,104
1,021
Food Boxes
Lodging
8,828
Spiritual Decisions
21
Clothing Provided
8,339
Into Permanent Housing
10
is a proud member of
®
82060
1400 Evangel Drive | Huntsville, AL 35816 | 256-536-2441 | www.downtownrescuemission.org