Mel Trotter Ministries

It's REALLY, REALLY difficult to achieve housing and any other goals while staying at Mel trotter.

Most of your time is consumed by navigating their red tape, and trying to abide by their extremely draconian rules.

It's micro management at it's finest by serious (nice car drivin') bible thumpers who pay themselves six figure salaries from government funding and donations.

How many people could you put into an apartment with that kind of money?

Prohibited items: 99.99% OF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE is not allowed in the shelter!!!!! No outside food, no electronics including cell phones, no Tobacco products of any kind, and you can't keep your own clothes at night. Yes, even the clothing on your back is prohibited during sleeping hours. You are required to wear their pj's.

How do you expect people to get a job or access resources if they can't posses a cell phone?

Although quitting smoking isn't such a bad idea; Nicotine withdrawal turns people from Dr. Jekyll into Mr Hyde. So you get a bunch of people that are in the lowest part of their lives whom are now extremely irritated, jittery and on edge and you mix them in a smelly room with like individuals. Im sure there are people out there who would pay money to watch this.

The rules are so restrictive you're guaranteed to get kicked out at least once for something stupid. Like not going to bible study. (It wouldn't surprise me if this is actually a rule.)

I'm so glad to share my experience when I stayed at Mel Trotter Ministries. When I first needed somewhere to sleep at nights (I worked until 1-3am every day), I decided to tough it out, already knowing people who had basically lived there for years , and also not being used to life as a homeless person. What should be a huge weight off of a person's shoulders,is sadly run by staff who are rude, uncaring, judgemental, and just plain mean. I was told to bring in proof from my work supervisor as to what time I got out each night. Which I did, exhausted and sore, and although the woman at the desk wasn't busy that I could tell,she repeatedly called my supervisor's number until reaching him to confirm I had indeed worked that night. Put in a crowded gym next to the heat treatment room,it was so incredibly hot, I could barely sleep. The next night, same woman, and,yes, I had to wait for another hour to get the chance to lay down. She also made rude comments about my messy purse and the contempt she had for me was like a slap in the face. This night it was a bit later, so because morning was only about 3 hours away, I got a thin blanket and she put me on the couch in the lobby, instead of a bed. When a homeless man or woman comes into that facility, the attitude of the staff is all the same. And Lord help you if you're new and have to ask questions. They have absolutely no time for that. I stayed other nights as well. I'm not sure why we aren't allowed to wear our own pajamas to bed if they're clean, but every night I had to wear their used hospital scrubs and other garments to bed, there were no sizes anywhere close to fitting me, so when I climbed down from the bunk bed one night,my huge pants fell completely down to my feet. I remember at least 2 separate occasions that I needed to stay the night there, and although I didn't miss their time to be inside,I was refused a bed. I was referred to Degage,who was, unfortunately, full. So be prepared to sleep outside, people. Most of the people I met down there actually preferred to stay outside, rather than be subjected to Mel Trotter hospitality. And I heard the men's side was absolutely disgusting and couldn't be kept clean, from constant disrespect from people. It sounded just horrifying. Thank you for letting me get my story out there. I sincerely hope that Mel's steps it up for those less unfortunate in the future.

They are always looking to help those in need and their doors are open to absolutely anyone and everyone who needs assistance. Caring staff and great programs helping people get jobs and housing.

MTM is a great charity, but I think that the Ceo and the board members need to change. I don't think that the CEO and his wife both should be working for the same charity, that there salary is way to much for a charity that is always in need of money, and spends the money on useless things. The consulors are GREAT, they do a wonderful job. MTM also needs more ways to help the shelter people.

Mel Trotter is one of a very few such programs in the Grand Rapids, Mi. area. Due to a medical condition which lead to extended unemployment and loss of my home, I was forced to go to the Mel Trotter woman's shelter for a short period of time. Mind you, I am not ungrateful for their helping hand in my time of need, however, I was very disappointed at the level of service afforded to homeless women and children that pass through their doors as opposed to the men and drug program women. Women in the drug rehabilitation program are given many support services, medical care, transitional housing referrals and a variety of amenities to enable them to get a more solid foundation under their feet before being put back into society. If you are simply homeless, with or without children, your are literally entitled to "two hots and a cot." That is to say, if your schedule and appointments allow, breakfast is available at 7 am every morning for 1/2 an hour, and dinner is available at 5:15pm until 5:45. If you are unable to make these times, you and possibly your children will simply not be eating. The thing I found most troubling was the stringent rule of putting everyone, regardless of age, health condition and even weather conditions, out into the street promptly at 8 am until 4 pm into what is known as the Heartside area, which for those unfamiliar is the most concentrated area for homeless, addicted, and mentally challenged people in the city. They are not afforded bus passes to get around safely, nor are they given referrals to any other housing resources even though Kent county is the most abundant in the state of Michigan. It is not only unchristian how the homeless women and children are handled by staff, but it is simply irresponsible, and puts women and children at serious risk, and vulnerability.