November Mission Moments

Making a

Real Difference

KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

Have you ever been driving and seen a homeless man or woman holding a sign on the street corner, or have you seen folks living under a bridge or in the woods?

Have you ever wondered what circumstances took place that they ended up in their particular situation? I do, and it burdens my heart every time.

Many who end up homeless and on the streets are there because of a traumatic loss in their life — whether it’s a loss of a job, a family member, a home or a marriage. In most cases they have just lost hope!

to the true solution, and that is faith in Jesus Christ.

I hear real life stories at the Downtown Rescue Mission all the time, and you can read the testimonies of some of these folks in the pages of this monthly newsletters. Many of the stories are heartbreaking, but countless numbers of men, women and women with children have found success through DRM’s Christ-centered programs that have helped change their lives forever.

“OUR CHRIST-CENTERED PROGRAMS NOT ONLY HELP

PEOPLE DEAL WITH THEIR LIFE PROBLEMS BUT HELP POINT THEM TO THE TRUE SOLUTION, AND THAT IS FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.”

They feel they have nowhere else to turn. Their problems have become so overwhelming that they end up trying to escape the pains of life by turning to an addiction, which many times leads to the streets.

This past month, I was invited to Montgomery to meet with State Attorney General Steve Marshall to discuss the major opioid epidemic that has greatly affected our state. General Marshall also toured our facilities a few months ago and was impressed with how the Downtown Rescue Mission was dealing with these issues. Our Christ-centered programs not only help people deal with their life problems but help point them

Last year, I attended a rescue mission conference in a west coast city and was shocked at how rampant homelessness was on almost every street. It didn’t matter if it was a business neighborhood, middle class neighborhood or even an upper income area, people experiencing homelessness were everywhere. It made me realize how blessed our community is to have a place like the Downtown Rescue Mission where everyone is welcome.

Thank you for partnering with us through your prayers, volunteering and generosity as we continue to reach out to anyone who needs help in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee by sharing hope to those who, many times, have lost all hope!

Yulista has been a proud supporter of Downtown Rescue Mission for many years. Because of DRM’s impact on our community and their fundamental mission to show compassion through action. However great or small a need, the Downtown Rescue Mission Team makes sure that each person knows they matter.

“THANK YOU FOR PRAYERFULLY AND FINANCIALLY SUPPORTING THE WORK OF DOWNTOWN RESCUE MISSION. YOU’RE MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE

IN REAL PEOPLE’S LIVES EVERY DAY!”

Growing up, my family was very dysfunctional, yet I didn’t realize that until I got older. Whenever there was a family crisis, everyone drank. This is where I developed my coping skills, and at age 12, I started drinking and smoking weed.

Around this time, my grandfather — my rock and best friend — went to prison, and we had to move away. My dad started working out of town to take over my grandfather’s business. Since my mom was an addict, her motto was “If you want to drink and smoke weed, do it at home so I know you are safe. Just don’t tell your dad!”

My older sister tried to help and took me to a local hospital, where they diagnosed me with a chemical imbalance. I was depressed because I returned to a horrible home and tried to overdose by taking my entire medicine bottle. I just wanted to die.

At 15, I went to jail for the first time for possession of alcohol by a minor. Legal troubles continued as I was arrested again at 17 and faced multiple drug charges. Charges were dropped because someone took the blame, and I continued doing whatever I wanted.

My grandfather died that same year, and my life spiraled even more.

Pregnant at 20 and expecting my first daughter, I felt I had something to live for. Yet after she was born, I started using again. Though I was sober during my next pregnancy, I returned to drugs again after my younger daughter was born.

Sadly, my mother died in 2008, and my father died less than a year later.

Things only got worse when I went to prison for drug possession in 2013, but I only served six months of a four-year sentence. Then, when my 21-yearold niece was in a mass shooting in 2020, I hit rock bottom.

However, my whole life began to change last year when I reached out to Mrs. Cara at Owen’s House [DRM’s shelter for women and children] and asked if I could join the program. She said yes! I entered the program on August 9, 2021, and graduated one year later on August 16, 2022.

Now at 38 years old, I’ve found God. I’m sober, happy, and at peace. Since being here, I’ve worked at the DRM Thrift Store in Madison and have great relationships with my daughters. We are currently waiting for housing at Lincoln Village.

I’m thankful for all the struggles and hurt I’ve gone through because it got me to where I am today.

Thank you for prayerfully and financially supporting the work of Downtown Rescue Mission. You’re making a real difference in real people’s lives every day!

MISSION

MY

BODY, SPIRIT, SOUL.

Theessential things that makeup just who you are. Throughout life, these three take quite a beating. At the Downtown Rescue Mission, they teach you how to get these three things where they need to be. Through God.

God heals your body here.

God restores your spirit here.

God renews your soul here.

“AT THE DRM, I’VE LEARNED WHAT LIFE IS REALLY ABOUT. I GET TO HELP OTHERS HERE EVERY SINGLE DAY. I’M SO THANKFUL THAT I’M PART OF A COMMUNITY ORDAINED BY GOD THAT IS AS SELFLESS AS THE DRM IS.”

After four months here, I couldn’t imagine living any other way. I needed to surrender my all to God. After years of running from the pain of loss, from everyone who loved me, and running to alcohol and drugs, I ended up running right to the place I had no idea was going to take all that in hand and teach me that the only running left to do was to God — for everything.

At the DRM, I’ve learned what life is really about. I get to help others here every single day. I’m so thankful that I’m part of a community ordained by God that is as selfless as the DRM is.

Thank you for entrusting me with the bodies, spirits, and souls of people who need God and our help every day.

– Dara

2022

MS. MILLIE’S GOSPEL