My Nonprofit Reviews

I'm going to keep this short, but I honestly could go on and on about all the positive people, programs, aspects, and the help that I received at Safe Haven. It's also in a kind of secluded part of GR, where not too many people know, which made me feel so much safer than downtown at a shelter. The advocates are just amazing and so helpful. Staff was caring and just wonderful. And the entire building looked brand new and was absolutely gorgeous! I hated to leave when it was my day to go lol... I'd like them all to know what a huge difference they made in my life...thank you and God Bless..

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.