Downtown Rescue Mission - September 2017 Newsletter

SEPTEMBER 2017

LOVE U N STOP PA B L E

BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT, SAMANTHA HAS HOPE FOR TOMORROW

I NEVER KNEW DRM DID THAT We are here to share Christian love to all

T KEITH OVERHOLT, MBA President/CEO

“WE HELP MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WITH AN AVERAGE AGE BEING 31 YEARS OLD AND NOT JUST THE ELDERLY ALCOHOLIC FROM UNDER THE BRIDGE.”

he Downtown Rescue Mission is God’s lighthouse to many in our community who are struggling through the storms of life. Some of the men, women and children come to the Mission for just a meal, others come for safe shelter, while many come to go through our Bible based one year programs.

As my staff and I tour people through the Mission, they are always amazed at all we do in our facilities and throughout the community. Almost every tour I hear, “I never knew DRM did that” or “I never knew you had so many programs and outreaches.” Many also come with a preconceived idea of whom we serve. The truth is we help men, women and children with an average age being 31 years old and not just the elderly alcoholic from under the bridge.

People come to us from all walks

of life, from a doctor’s son who got caught up in the wrong crowd, to a mom and kids who had to leave their home because of abuse. We are here to share Christian love to all who come through our doors no matter what their background, race or religion might be.

The next few months will be our busiest time of the year.

Along with that, the construction on the new center for women and children, called Owen’s House, is almost complete. I would love to invite you to come and see first hand all the exciting things that are happening and how the Downtown Rescue Mission is providing hope to all who come through our door, because “Hope Lives Here.”

Participants need to re-enroll for 2017-2018 so they can keep blessing the Mission through their purchases.

MISSIONMOMENTS | September 2017

LOVE

U N STOP PA B L E

“JESUS IS BIG ENOUGH FOR ALL OF OUR PROBLEMS AND HE HEARS OUR PRAYERS.�

I

have been at Downtown Rescue Mission for five months. When I first arrived at DRM, I was very scared because it was a new environment for my kids and me. However, as time has passed and I have come to know the staff here, my fear has faded away. Those who work here have made my family feel at home and even treated us as if we are a part of their family. I have learned during my time here that Jesus loves me and that He died for all our sins. This eternal truth has been truly life changing!

I have three children who are with me at the Mission. A daughter who is sixteen, a son who is eleven, and another son who is fourteen months

old. My youngest son has been diagnosed with Craniofacial Syndrome and has a lot of breathing problems. In just over a year of life, he has had five surgeries addressing multiple health issues. If it was not for the kindness of the people at DRM, I do not know what my family would have done.

Jesus is big enough for all of our problems and He hears our prayers. This is a truth that I now know personally and have seen firsthand through many answered prayers. As I end my story, I ask anyone who does not know Jesus to please come to DRM. This place helps you through any troubles you have in your life through a relationship with Jesus. Jesus changed my life and He can change yours too! I never knew how much He could love someone until we got to the Mission. My family is thankful for everything done to provide for us while we have been here.

Samantha

MISSIONMOMENTS | September 2017

BRIANA COUSINS Mission

M

IN MY WORDS

ission can often be defined as a specific task with which a person or a group is charged. Possibly, even something that is a pre-established or imposed.

I feel a better definition of mission is something that comes natural. An action or behavior that shows through no matter your intention or direction.

Redstone Federal Credit Union’s (RFCU) mission statement is to improve the financial well-being of our members and communities by offering trusted advice, choices, opportunities and solutions. This is not a statement we stick on a wall and on pamphlets and forget about. At RFCU, we truly live our mission and seek opportunities to serve the community.

“I HAVE TRULY ENJOYED GETTING TO WORK WITH ALL OF THE AMAZING CLIENTS AND EMPLOYEES AT THE MISSION” Although the focus of the Downtown Rescue Mission may be somewhat different that RFCU, we share many of the same values. We both desire to improve the financial wellbeing of our members/ residents/communities. As the Financial Education Specialist at RFCU, I was provided the opportunity to share time with individuals going through the discipleship recovery program at the Downtown Rescue Mission. It has been my desire that by sharing knowledge, the individuals will be better equipped to

move through their financial hurdles with a budget, a plan and goals for a better future.

When I began teaching financial classes in April of this year, I was a little apprehensive. As they say, we often have a fear of the unknown. Today, I find that these classes are examples of what makes me love my job. You might say, this is the best part of my job! I have truly enjoyed getting to work with all of the amazing clients and employees at the Mission.

I look forward to each new class and the graduation celebration always fills me with hope and excitement.

I am so lucky to be part of a wonderful organization that truly lives their mission and gives back to the community in so many ways. Redstone truly represents the credit union motto of “people helping people”.

– Briana Cousins, Financial Education Specialist, Redstone Federal Credit Union

MISSIONMOMENTS | September 2017

PARTNER WITH US THROUGH OUR FALL FOOD DRIVE

O

ur fall food drives are getting started and we need as much assistance as possible. We are on track to distribute more than 120,000 Pounds of food via our food pantries this year. This is a big increase from 87,000 pounds last year. We try our best to make our food drives as easy as possible for your church, company, organization, and/or school. All you need to do is request one or more donation barrels from John Niemeyer, Food Service Director (john.niemeyer@ downtownrescuemission.org; 256-713-4311) and our staff will drop off the empty collection barrel(s) at your specified location and pick them back up when your food drive is complete. It’s that easy!

The food collected through this drive will help sustain our current food pantry outreach ministries located in Albertville, Athens, Decatur, Meridianville, Madison, and Huntsville. Transportation is a big hurdle for those in need so these multiple area locations make it easier for people to receive food assistance. Food donations last year enabled us to start the new pantries in Albertville, Madison, and Meridianville this year. There are more families in need within our community that we are trying to reach. We need your help to be able to get them the

food that they need! The resources gathered by our fall food drives also provide for those unable to afford their family’s Thanksgiving meal. We accept any boxed or canned nonperishable food item, but ask specifically for the items below. These items will assist us in filling the approximately 1,000 Thanksgiving food boxes we plan to give away as part of our annual Thanksgiving festivities.

• Boxed macaroni and cheese • Boxed instant mashed potatoes • Boxed stuffing mix • Canned kernel corn • Canned cranberry sauce • Canned green beans • Canned yams • Dry brown gravy mix Thank you again for your generosity and provision for our community. May the Lord our God bless you beyond measure.

50% OFF

YOUR TOTAL PURCHASE* *50% OFF THE ORIGINAL PRICE. NOT VALID ON NEW MATTRESSES OR FURNITURE

Valid only at Athens Store, 705 Highway 31, Athens, AL 35613.

Expires 9/31/17.

SEPT NL 2017

R

TOP LOCAL THRIFT STORE!

eaders of the Athens News Courier voted our Athens Thrift Store as their 2017 Reader’s Choice winner for top local thrift store! Come celebrate with us by redeeming this 50% off coupon at our Athens Store, 705 Highway 31, Athens, AL 35613.

MISSIONMOMENTS | September 2017

On Friday, October 20, 2017, the Downtown Rescue Mission will host its 3rd Annual Shoot 4 Shelter Clay Tournament at Limestone Hunting Preserve in Ardmore, Alabama. The clay shoot will provide multiple challenging stations and fun games. We will start the morning’s activities with a continental breakfast and door prize opportunities. The cotton drop game, awards, and prizes will accompany lunch. Call Tonia for more information about sponsorship or reserve your team slot at 256.713.4343 or tonia@downtownrescuemission.org On Friday, October 27, we need churches, companies, and organizations to sponsor booths and give treats to over 1,000 children from our community. Come satisfy your sweet tooth at our annual Fall Festival. Food. Games.

Inflatables and more! We need candy and prizes donated as well as sponsors and volunteers to make this event a success! Contact Corey for more info or to volunteer at 256-713-4316 or corey@downtownrescuemission.org.

MOVERS FOR MILITARY

F

rom all of us here at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®, we would like to introduce a community program that may be of interest to you. The program is called Movers for Military with a mission of giving back to veterans and their families living in crisis this Veterans Day. The Movers for Military objective is to provide homeless veterans and their families living in shelters with essential items such as toiletries, blankets,

food, clothes, etc. These items help make a difference for homeless veterans and their families, who all deserve essential care items and special gifts for defending our freedoms every day.

Movers for Military will run from October 1stNovember 9th and all items will be donated to the Downtown Rescue Mission. If you would like to serve as a collection partner for the campaign, please contact lindsey.maurel@twomen.com.

LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED JULY 2017 Meals Served

22,340

Lodging

6,692 is a proud member of

Food Boxes

878

Spiritual Decisions

0

Into Housing

®

82060

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

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