Downtown Rescue Mission - October 2017 Newsletter

OCTOBER 2017

GUIDING M Y ST E P S

THANKS TO YOUR GENEROSITY, CAROLYN HAS EXPERIENCED GOD’S GOODNESS

BRINGING HOPE TO THE HOPELESS Everyone is welcome to find true help through Jesus Christ

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KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“COUNTLESS NUMBERS OF MEN, WOMEN AND WOMEN WITH CHILDREN HAVE FOUND SUCCESS THROUGH OUR CHRIST-CENTERED PROGRAMS.”

ave you ever been driving and seen a homeless man 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!

They feel they have nowhere else to turn. The problems have become so overwhelming that they end up trying to escape the pains of life by turning to the streets.

I hear these life stories at the Downtown Rescue Mission and you can read the testimonies of these folks in pages of our 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 changed their lives forever.

I just came back from a rescue mission conference in another city and was shocked at how rampant homelessness was on almost every street corner. It made me realize how blessed our community is to have a place like the Downtown Rescue Mission where everyone is welcome.

Next time someone is in need of help please recommend that they come to the Mission where they can find true help through Jesus Christ.

Thank you for partnering with us through your prayers, volunteering and generosity as we continue to reach out to a lost and dying world by bringing hope back to the hopeless!

FALL EVENTS SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 20TH 3rd Annual Shoot4Shelter Clay Shoot

NOVEMBER 9TH Veteran’s Day Celebration

DECEMBER 16TH Nativity House (Toy Bag Giveaway)

10:00 a.m.

Dr. Darwin “Doc” Overholt Chapel

8:00 a.m. – Noon

www.shoot4shelter.tk

OCTOBER 27TH Fall Festival

NOVEMBER 13TH & 14TH Christmas Toy Bag Giveaway Sign-ups

5:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Community-wide free event

NOVEMBER 6TH & 7TH Thanksgiving Turkey Box Giveaway Sign-ups 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

DECEMBER 22ND Christmas Candlelight Service

9:00 – 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

Dr. Darwin “Doc” Overholt Chapel

NOVEMBER 20TH & 21ST Thanksgiving Turkey Box Giveaway

DECEMBER 25TH Christmas Day Banquet

10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

NOVEMBER 22ND & 23RD Great Thanksgiving Banquets

Visit downtownrescuemission.org to learn more about these upcoming events.

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

MISSIONMOMENTS | October 2017

GUIDINGM Y ST E P S “MY PAST NO LONGER DEFINES ME NOR DO I REGRET IT. I AM NOW A NEW CREATURE IN CHRIST!”

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hen I arrived at the Mission in September 2016, I was very emotional, lonely, and scared. I was, however, so ready to begin this journey. I had finally surrendered myself and my ways and was ready to be open and honest.

I needed healing from my past, along with all of the guilt and shame that I had held onto for many years. Christ has been guiding me and walking with me every step of the way through this program.

It’s by God’s grace and mercy that I am alive today. I grew up in Gadsden, Alabama, and like most families, we had our issues. I first heard of Jesus Christ when I was a little girl. My aunt would talk to my cousins and me about the Lord. She loved to read Bible stories to us as well as pray with us.

I understand now that the Lord allowed me to experience things in life and make my own decisions in order to show me how much I really need Him as my personal Savior. I got pregnant with my first daughter

my senior year of high school. My father asked me to leave so I went to live with my mom, then shortly after that, I moved out on my own. I got pregnant again a year later and decided to have an abortion. The abortion was horrific. Around the same time, I started hanging out with the wrong people who were involved in selling drugs. I eventually got married and had my youngest daughter.

Depression was real to me during this time in my life. From the fear, guilt and shame of my past and current decisions and situation, I started self-medicating with prescription drugs. My marriage slowly fell apart over the course of eight years. Instead of reaching out to God, I chose the worldly things. Within six months after my divorce, I was addicted to drugs and prescription medicines. During this dark time, I was date raped many times and thought I was at the end of my life. My children went to my mom’s house, and I went to a treatment facility in Florida.

The question I always had was “why would God still love me?” I had abandoned Him and my children. I was selfish and rarely gave Him a thought. I only cared about myself and really enjoyed getting high. I trusted no one. I left the treatment facility and headed back to Gadsden…

Continued

MISSIONMOMENTS | October 2017

Mission IN MY WORDS

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he Downtown Rescue Mission is one of the Food Bank of North Alabama’s longest-running partnerships. The two charitable organizations have worked together since 1985, just one year after the Food Bank opened. The Food Bank works “behind the scenes,” sourcing and distributing more than 8.5 million pounds of food a year to about 250 groups, including the Downtown Rescue Mission.

The Food Bank of North Alabama is based in Huntsville but serves an 11-county area in northern Alabama. The Food Bank works hard to source a wide variety of food from grocery stores, food drives, manufacturers, local farmers and the USDA. The Food Bank then distributes the food to their partners, such as the Downtown Rescue Mission, for use by people who need it the most.

“THE FOOD BANK OF NORTH ALABAMA IS PROUD TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE DOWNTOWN RESCUE MISSION.” “The Downtown Rescue Mission provides help to so many people in North Alabama and is vital to the ongoing health of our community,” said Food Bank Executive Director Shirley Schofield. “We are happy to help Downtown Rescue in any way that we can.”

Over the past year, the Food Bank has helped the Downtown Rescue Mission procure over 135,000 pounds of food for their ministry. The Downtown Rescue Mission’s box truck can be seen at the Food Bank’s warehouse every week picking up donated food, such as fresh produce and bakery items. The Rescue Mission also participates in the Food Bank’s Store Donation Program, where local nonprofits and food ministries affiliated with the Food Bank are paired with

local retailers to pick up donated food directly. The Downtown Rescue Mission picks up at 4 local stores: Walmart, Target, Whole Foods and Kroger, all which donate a variety of products to ensure those the Mission serves receive the nutrition they need.

The Food Bank is excited to support the Downtown Rescue Mission’s efforts to extend its food ministry to reach even more people, particularly people in underserved areas. Food Distribution Director John Niemeyer is always looking for creative ways to help more people.

One way he’s done this is by having each of the Mission’s many thrift stores double as a food pantry. If a person needs food assistance, they can just ask the staff person at the cash register, and they will be given a bag full of non-perishable items such as canned goods, cereals and pasta.

“Mr. Neimeyer is one of the first people I worked with when I joined the Food Bank, and I quickly learned that I could count on him and Downtown Rescue to help whenever called upon,” Schofield said. “This has been a great partnership for more than 30 years, and I’m sure it will continue for many more years to come.”

The Food Bank is happy to help the Downtown Rescue Mission as it grows. Providing much needed food at the thrift stores has increased accessibility for people in need because the thrift stores are open from 9 am to 7 pm, Monday through Saturday, ensuring food is readily available across the area. The convenience of evening availability is especially helpful to the community.

The Food Bank of North Alabama is proud to support the work of the Downtown Rescue Mission.

MISSIONMOMENTS | October 2017

GUIDING MY STEPS (CONTINUED) to the same people I had left. I stayed clean for a while, even had my children back with me, but this only last a short time before I went back to my addiction, this time harder than before. I often found myself homeless. I lived in cars, abandoned houses, slept outside, anywhere I could.

Six months before I came to the Mission, I was held in a small shed, which was boarded up due to my boyfriend’s paranoia. He didn’t allow me to leave and played mind games with me, sometimes even depriving me of food and water. I managed to finally leave one day when the door was left cracked open.

While being at the Mission, I have been given the tools and foundation that I need because when struggles come and I’m faced with temptations, I know that my foundation is solid because it has been built on Christ (Matthew 7:27). My past no longer defines me nor do I regret it. I am now a new creature in Christ! I pray and am trusting and do believe that the Lord will restore my relationship with my family and youngest daughter. I’m so unworthy of all He’s done for me… yet He’s so good. It amazes me!

— Carolyn Wright

“One of the best movies I have ever seen!”

— Keith Overholt

IN THEATRES

OCTOBER 20

THANKSGIVING FOOD LIST During our Great Thanksgiving Banquets, Downtown Rescue Mission will serve over 1,000 traditional Thanksgiving meals to hungry and homeless men, women, and children in the Tennessee Valley area. As you shop for your own Thanksgiving meal, please consider picking up a few of these items needed for our meals.

Your consideration is greatly appreciated!

All donations may be dropped off at the Mission located at 1400 Evangel Drive NW, Huntsville, AL 35816, Sunday – Saturday, 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Deadline is Friday, November 17th.

1,000 Turkeys Brown gravy packets Instant stuffing Instant mashed potatoes Macaroni & cheese (boxed)

Cranberry sauce (canned) Green beans (canned) Kernel corn (canned) Yams (canned) Dinner rolls

BLESS PEOPLE BEYOND HALLOWEEN

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id you know that your donations and purchases to any of our area thrift stores help change lives here at the Mission? A significant portion of our annual budget comes from our stores, helping us provide all of our programs and services at no charge. As Halloween approaches, please consider shopping for your costume and decorations at the DRM Thrift Store nearest you! You’ll find a treasure chest of awesome clothing items to make you stand out above the crowd while also blessing the homeless and impoverished individuals and families we care for every day!

MISSIONMOMENTS | October 2017

YOU MAKE THE HOLIDAYS GREAT! BECAUSE OF YOU, THOSE IN NEED GIVE THANKS! DOWNTOWN RESCUE MISSION HOLIDAY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES OCTOBER 20TH 3rd Annual Shoot4Shelter Clay Shoot

NOVEMBER 9TH Veteran’s Day Celebration Reception 10:30 a.m. – Noon Need: Lunch meal servers

7:30 a.m. – Noon Need: Registration workers & workers at every shooting station

NOVEMBER 19TH Thanksgiving Turkey Box Giveaway Packing

OCTOBER 27TH Fall Festival

2:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Need: Box transporters from gym to Fellowship Hall (1,000 filled boxes)

4:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Need: Booth sponsors (decorate/ dress up/pass out candy), overseeing inflatables and carnival games, face painting, and more!

NOVEMBER 20TH & 21ST Thanksgiving Food Box Giveaways

8:00 a.m. – Noon Need: Scene workers in costume, tour guides, CD player operators, toy bag room workers and bag carriers

10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

Need: Box/turkey carriers to recipients’ vehicles

DECEMBER 25TH Christmas Day Banquet

NOVEMBER 22ND & 23RD Great Thanksgiving Banquets 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (decorators) & 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 pm. (meal servers) Need: Decorators, meal servers, and clean-up crew

DECEMBER 9TH Christmas Toy Bag Giveaway Packing 10:00 a.m. – Noon Need: Responsible bag packers for 300+ bags

DECEMBER 16TH Nativity House (Christmas Toy Bag Giveaway)

8:00 – 9:00 a.m. (decorators) & 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 pm. (meal servers) Need: Decorators, meal servers, and clean-up crew *All sign-ups are online at www.downtownrescuemission.org/ volunteer. Please indicate if you represent a family or group of people in the comments section as well as the number of people in your group.

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED AUGUST 2017 Meals Served

22,420

Lodging

6,764 is a proud member of

Food Boxes

911

Spiritual Decisions

6

Into Housing

®

82060

1400 Evangel Drive | Huntsville, AL 35816 | 256-536-2441 | www.downtownrescuemission.org

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