meals & shelter
Broken relationships, abuse, substance abuse, job loss, foreclosures.
Whatever brought you to homelessness, the staff at Mel Trotter Ministries want to walk alongside you on your journey and help you live the life that God has called you to. We believe you are made in the image of God and He has plans for you of a promising future.
Our facility is located at:
225 Commerce Avenue SW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Overnight Shelters
Overnight shelter is available for 365 days a year at our facility in downtown Grand Rapids, MI.
MTM welcomes anyone to stay in a dignified and safely operated shelter.
Men's Shelter
Youth Shelter
Family Shelter
R & R space
Women's Shelter
Get Help Now
Contact Mel Trotter Ministries for Help
No matter what your situation, we are here for you.
If you are looking to enter Mel Trotter Ministries or Heartside Ministry for the first time, please call (616) 454-8249 and select press 1 for help.
Men’s Shelters
Shelter Location
225 Commerce Avenue SW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Enter through the entrance on Williams Street
Check-in
2:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Check-out
7:00 a.m.
Guests in our men’s shelter receive:
- Nutritious meals
- Emergency clothing & shoes
- Toiletries
- Safe shelter
- Showers
- The love of Jesus Christ
- Referrals & resources
- Access to our Day Center for further help in overcoming homelessness
- Access to triage staff
- Support from a shelter case manager
Meal Times
Anyone is invited to share a meal at Mel Trotter Ministries. We’ll greet you with kind words and caring smiles.
Cook Cafeteria – enter through the entrance on Williams Street
Breakfast
Every day:
6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
Dinner
4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Youth Shelter – 18 – 24 years old
Youth Engagement Space – Y.E.S.
The Youth Engagement Space is a 14 bed emergency shelter program for young men ages 18-24 years of age, with an additional 8 beds in the Youth Emergency Shelter (overflow).
YES is available to youth who are fleeing unsafe or unstable living conditions, have aged out of the foster care system, or are at risk of exploitation.
The YES shelter is first come first serve for all youth accessing the space for the first time. Once a youth has secured their spot, they will have anywhere from 42 to 90 allowed bed nights to stay in the YES shelter. Each youth will be able to access the YES shelter 3 times in a year. Their first visit for the year will begin on the date they were welcomed in for the first time.
YES Shelter youth can choose to participate in an incentive program, Engagement Track, whereby they will be connected with a case manager. Together, with their case manager, they will develop goals with an action plan. These goals and daily tasks are funneled into the incentive program, encouraging the idea of building life skills, accountability, and community connection.
Our facility is located at:
225 Commerce Avenue SW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Enter through the entrance on Williams Street.
Check-in
2:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
14 beds available on a first come, first served basis
This youth emergency shelter is open to males, ages 18-24.
Check-out
12:00 p.m.
Guests in our youth shelter receive:
- Nutritious meals
- Designated sleeping area
- Bed with personal storage space
- Entertainment area
- Toiletries
- Showers
- Washer & dryer on-site access
- Incentive points program
- Ability to stay up to 90 days, based on progress & participation
- Computer access for housing & employment searches
- Referrals & resources
- Option to enter a track
- The love of Jesus Christ
- Case management
Meal Times
Anyone is invited to share a meal at Mel Trotter Ministries. We’ll greet you with kind words and caring smiles.
Cook Cafeteria – enter through the entrance on Williams Street
Breakfast
Every day:
6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
Dinner
4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Family Shelter
Pathway Home Family Shelter
Pathway Home is an emergency shelter and rehousing program.
Our family shelter is a collaboration between Mel Trotter Ministries and Family Promise of Grand Rapids. This shelter program is designated for single adults with children and intact families (kids under 18).
Guests receive hearty meals, child development, ministry support and case management while they work to find a home. The top priority is to get families into stable housing and out of the shelter as quickly as possible.
All referrals to the Pathway Home Shelter Program are received from the Salvation Army (HAP).
Shelter Location
225 Commerce Avenue SW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Enter through the entrance on Cherry Street
Check-in
2:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Check-out
7:00 a.m.
Guests in our Family Shelter receive:
- A safe place to stay while searching for housing
- Basic needs such as hygiene products, linens, and meals
- Case management (referrals, service coordination, goal identification)
- Landlord advocacy
- Financial counseling and budgeting
- Legal aid
- Employment training/placement
Meal Times
Anyone is invited to share a meal at Mel Trotter Ministries. We’ll greet you with kind words and caring smiles.
Cook Cafeteria – enter through the entrance on Cherry Street
Breakfast
Every day:
6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
Dinner
4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
R & R Space
For individuals who identify as transgender
The R&R Space is a designated safe shelter space for individuals who identify as transgender. It is important to note that as an organization, Mel Trotter Ministries exists for one reason: to demonstrate the compassion of Jesus to anyone experiencing hunger and homelessness.
We believe every human being is made in the image of God—a God who loves them and has plans for their lives. We believe that God is in control. And we ultimately believe that when Jesus walked this earth, he demonstrated to us the kind of compassion and care toward others he said “those who believe in him” would “do even greater” (John 14:12). Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it (John 12:47).
Data shows that the transgender community is at extreme risk for trafficking and severe harm. Thus, we hear Jesus’ words and help save lives by offering a secure space and opportunities for individuals to come in off the streets and be surrounded by a loving, faith-based community.
There are a total of 8 bunk beds with a gender neutral bathroom and shower available on a first come, first served basis. Once a guest has secured their spot, they will have a designated bed and space to keep their belongings for 90 days, unless they choose to enter a Restoration Program.
The guests are able to access emergency shelter in the R&R space up to 3 times a year with a 30-day break in between stays. If a guest chooses to enter the restoration program, they are able to remain in the R&R space while completing their program. Should this space be full, transgender individuals will have access to our other safe shelter space of gender assigned at birth. Guests in the R&R space are assigned a case manager who will guide them to resources for employment, housing or an opportunity to enter a restoration program of their choice. Individuals may also be referred to other programs outside of MTM.
Shelter Location
225 Commerce Avenue SW,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Enter through the entrance at the corner of Williams and Commerce
Check-in
2:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Check-out
9:00 a.m.
Guests in our R & R Space receive:
- Nutritious meals
- Toiletries
- Separate sleeping area
- Showers
- Referrals & resources
- Ability to enter programs
- The love of Jesus Christ
- Support from a case manager
Meal Times
Anyone is invited to share a meal at Mel Trotter Ministries. We’ll greet you with kind words and caring smiles.
Enter through the entrance at the corner of Williams and Commerce
Breakfast
Every day:
6:30 a.m. – 7:45 a.m.
Dinner
4:45 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Women’s Shelter
Women experiencing homelessness are currently being served at Dégagé Ministries.
Dégagé’s address is:
144 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Dégagé’s shelter opens from 3 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Go to www.degageministries.org/opendoor/ for more information.
Community Resources
Transforming Lives
“I thank you all for everything,” he says of the food, shelter and support he’s received from Mel Trotter and its family of donors. He adds that "he will continue to be patient, stay positive and put God first and make the most of the opportunity he’s received.“
Damien
Damien* arrived in Grand Rapids by bus from Memphis, Tennessee, with no one and no place to welcome him. At the station, a local experiencing homelessness told Damien about Mel Trotter Ministries. Damien needed a nourishing meal and a safe night of rest and received these essentials and much more as he began to share his story with Mel Trotter staff.
*name and photos changed to protect the privacy of our guests.
