When Jerry first came to Mel Trotter Ministries, it was never for long. He would stay at the Mission for a meal and a bed, then with family, and sometimes even under a bridge. He struggled with healthy coping mechanisms and would often cause disturbances when angry. He also had a hard time learning to trust.
 
One day, Jerry was doing his laundry, and could not get the laundry machine to work. In the moment, he was getting very upset. One of our case managers came over to help, and asked him what the root of the problem was. His answer shocked our case manager as he said “Nobody’s ever cared about me. I yell because nobody listens.” The case manager finally saw the issue at hand and worked with Jerry to learn not only new communication skills, but also how to trust.
 
One day in the breakfast line, Jerry was waiting for a meal. Another guest recognized Jerry and asked “Hey, didn’t you just get housing?”. Jerry smiled and was so excited to tell everyone, “Yeah, I did! I’m going there later today.” The room erupted. They were so excited for Jerry. He signed his lease, got furniture and was all moved in.
 
With the hard work Jerry and his Case Manager put in, he has been living in his new home successfully for over a year now. Although he struggled in the beginning, he was able to turn his life around with just a little compassion.