Stories

Meagan's Story

The staff here treat you like you are a human being and there is so much dignity, but they also make us work for even more dignity--it is a huge stepping stone into giving people the opportunity to feel their worth again.

Frank's Story

I had lost all hope in my life and did not know any way out, just to keep drinking and living in the insanity at the gates of hell. I kept on ending up in the public inebriate room at Mel Trotter for over three years and was always knowing I needed help but was living full of fear and was always chasing the alcohol.

The Johnson Family Story

In the warmth of mid-summer, with a five-room house to call her own, the winter Kiara* spent in her vehicle with her husband and four children is still vivid in her mind. You helped the Johnson family found a Pathway Home.

Tammy & Gabby's Story

You helped Tammy get back on her feet again after a stroke paralyzed her in 2015 and she was no longer able to work her two jobs to support her son and her daughter Gabby.

Doug's Volunteer Story

Since Doug made Mel Trotter a regular part of his life, his co-volunteers and our guests have become friends that he looks forward to seeing every Thursday. “I’ve seen people graduate from here, get jobs and homes and happy families. I like to see that and be part of it in my own little serving-food way.”

Lisa & Keith's Story

“Our neighborhood in Kalamazoo was becoming more and more dangerous,” said Keith. “There were altercations in our front yard over drugs. There were guns. There were shootings. There were threats. It was no longer safe for my wife and my kids. We had to leave.”

John's Story

After 22 years in prison and even longer battling anger, John healed at MTM and is sharing that healing with others through his work and volunteer commitments. "Without being here at Mel Trotter, I feel that I would be truly homeless and with no one. Out of desperation, I probably would fall back to crime and the dark side of my life."

Tecca's Story

When Tecca fell and broke her hip on an icy winter day, she had no idea how much farther she would fall or how high the Lord would raise her! Tecca’s injury required months of intensive rehabilitation in a nursing center. During this time, a friend from church checked on Tecca’s house and found an eviction notice on the door.

James' Story

Even after he lost a high paying job as a programmer analyst due to a neck injury, and went through a devastating divorce, James’ faith was unwavering. He spent 14 months at Mel Trotter Ministries in the Pilgrimage Program, a program for men who are disabled.

Charlene's story

My name is Charlene. I was born in Muskegon, Michigan and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I was born with alcohol in my system, they didn't think I would make it. But God knew there was more to my story.