Stories of Compassion

Sidney once had it all— a successful flooring business with a fleet of vehicles, a six-figure salary, a home in a gated community, a beautiful wife— and had even served as a chaplain at a nonprofit helping people in need. He lost everything, however, when a serious injury sidelined him for two years and started him on a path to nowhere.

“When everything went downhill for me, this is where I ended up,” says David of his first visit to Mel Trotter Ministries four years ago.
He arrived following the death of his beloved wife. “I basically lost my mind,” he says of his bereavement. In addition to his wife, David lost his house, custody of his son and soon found himself overwhelmed by legal problems.

What that life looked like was this: Simon did not complete high school. He became a father as a teenager, prior to his marriage to Vanessa. Upon meeting her and starting their own family together, the couple wanted to further their lives.

My name is Amy. I am currently 38 years old. I am the oldest of 3 full blood sisters. I was born in raised in Grand Rapids, MI. I spent my childhood summers near the Native American reservation in Sutton’s bay which is in the Traverse City area. I spent my time there with my Paternal Grandparents and was very involved in the church. I was born to 2 parents with severe addiction issues. Unlike my amazing care free summers the rest of my life was the complete opposite…

My name is Camille Sallie. I’m 29 years old, from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The reason I ended up at Mel Trotter was because of some really bad choices that I have made in my life.

Sharon smiled at every person who came through her line for COVID-19 screening and testing at Mel Trotter Ministries. She chatted with each one, asked how they were doing, did her best to make everyone feel at ease and cared for.

My Name is Daniel. When I was 18 my foster parents kicked me out of the house and I became homeless. I lived on the streets of Wisconsin for the next seven years, where I began to indulge heavily in drug use.