Tag Archives: Abbey Sladick

Uptick in female homelessness creates need for more beds at Mel Trotter Ministries

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Courtesy Mel Trotter Ministries

By Abbey Sladick, Mel Trotter Ministries


Single women comprise one of the fastest growing homeless populations in greater Grand Rapids, and Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) has experienced a 40 percent increase of single women seeking emergency shelter over the last year. Many of the women seeking shelter are living with mental illness or are survivors of domestic violence or other traumatic situations.


Typically, the 25 beds designated for single women at Mel Trotter Ministries are enough to accommodate the need, however, MTM has been using an overflow gym with mattresses placed on the floor to accommodate the increase in numbers. The need for additional beds will become even more urgent as the weather turns colder and MTM serves upwards of 500 men, women and children each night in winter.

Mel Trotter Ministries is asking for community support to raise $25,000 by Oct. 31. The funds will help build and purchase custom wooden beds, replace old mattresses, and supply new linens and pillows.


“It is difficult for a woman who is suffering to … believe that they are loved and valued while sleeping on a mattress on the cold floor,” said Dennis Van Kampen, CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries. “As winter approaches … we’re asking our generous community to join us in this effort.”


Next Step of West Michigan — a nonprofit that provides work for individuals coming out of prison and rehab — is building 54 beds for the Mission. The beds will be delivered to the Mission at the end of October.


“All of us at Next Step are thankful for the good work Mel Trotter is doing in our community,” said Scott Jonkhoff, Founding Director. “The opportunity to build bunks beds for the women’s shelter is a great encouragement to us and we pray for those who will use these beds, that they may find rest for both body and soul.”


Donations can be made at www.meltrotter.org/beds.


Any money raised beyond the designated goal will help replace and upgrade other beds throughout the Mission and support operations and expenses for the Mission.



Non-profits partner on transitional housing for previously homeless men

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By Abbey Sladick, Mel Trotter Ministries

Mel Trotter Ministries and ICCF announce the opening of two affordable housing units for men who are transitioning from the shelter at Mel Trotter Ministries into supportive housing. ICCF will serve as the owner and property manager while leasing the two homes to Mel Trotter Ministries who will walk alongside guests in their new living environment. Single men who have completed one of the various programs at MTM and have a steady income stream will be tenants at the homes.

 

“The West Michigan community faces a daunting challenge as there is simply not enough housing that is affordable to low-income, working individuals.” said Ryan VerWys, CEO of ICCF. “No single organization can solve the problem of homelessness alone and that’s one reason we’re thrilled to work in collaboration with Mel Trotter Ministries on this project.”

 

The two homes are located on the west side of Grand Rapids; combined they offer five rooms with rent ranging from $350 to $450 a month. Tenants of the home are responsible to pay their own utilities. A peer support person lives in the house and tenants will be provided with aftercare services through a Mel Trotter Ministries advocate staff, to help ensure they are continuing to work toward complete independent living with the tools they need to be successful.

 

“We are excited to partner even more deeply with ICCF by bringing each organization’s strengths together to help our guests obtain and maintain housing,” said Dennis Van Kampen, CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries. “Our goal is always to provide a dignified and empowering way to help individuals and families leave homelessness for good. This project is an example of the power of collaboration to make a greater impact. We look forward to opening more transitional homes in the future.”

 

Mel Trotter Ministries also currently leases two other transitional homes in Grand Rapids; a transitional youth house for young men (18-24) as well as a women’s transitional home.

 

Some homes are still in need of move-in kits and furniture. A complete list of needed items can be found here.

 

 

Melanie House offers homeless women stable, affordable housing

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By Abbey Sladick, Mel Trotter Ministries

 

After the success of creating a transitional house for youth in 2017, Mel Trotter Ministries recently opened a transitional house for women who are experiencing homelessness. The MTM “Melanie House” was established to provide additional housing opportunities for women who have gone through a program at the Mel Trotter Ministries downtown shelter but still face challenging barriers to having a home of their own.

 

This housing opportunity fosters a supportive community environment and does not exclude women based on physical or mental disabilities, prior criminal history, addiction, bad credit or other barriers.

 

“The home will offer the tenants stable, affordable housing which they have been unable to secure in our city’s tight rental market,” said Dennis Van Kampen, CEO of Mel Trotter Ministries. “This experience will help these ladies build the foundation for independent living in the future and we believe this experience will help keep them from returning to homelessness.”

 

The Melanie House is located in an undisclosed location in Grand Rapids. It features two bathrooms, a community kitchen and dining area, and three private rooms for the three tenants who were formerly in an MTM program. One of the tenants serves as an on-site resident assistant and provides encouragement and guidance. Tenants pay $300-$400 a month for rent and also pay for their own utilities.

 

MTM will also offer aftercare services with a staff case manager who walks alongside the tenants as they connect with their new neighborhood, build credit history, navigate transportation, continue a savings plan and set goals for long-term housing.

 

Some items for furnishing the home are still needed by donors. To help, please go to www.meltrotter.org/needs to help out.

 

Mel Trotter Ministries and Celebration! Cinema host ‘Same Kind of Different as Me’ film premiere tonight

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By Abbey Sladick, Mel Trotter Ministries   

 

Mel Trotter Ministries partnering with Celebration! Cinema, will host red carpet event to raise awareness, support for rescue mission

 

Based on the New York Times bestselling book, Paramount Pictures and Pure Flix Entertainment will release the blockbuster film Same Kind of Different as Me in theatres nationwide on October 20, 2017. In addition, Mel Trotter Ministries (MTM) is hosting a Grand Rapids exclusive, pre-release red carpet charity event at Celebration! Cinema on October 18, 2017, in order to raise awareness and support for the rescue mission.

 

Same Kind of Different as Me  (PG-13) is the true story of international art dealer Ron Hall (Greg Kinnear), who befriends a dangerous homeless man (Djimon Hounsou) in hopes of saving his struggling marriage to Debbie (Renée Zellweger), a woman whose dreams will lead all three of them on the most remarkable journey of their lives. Jon Voight plays Hall’s father, with whom he reconciles thanks to the revelations of his new life.

 

With much of the story taking place at a rescue mission, MTM has joined rescue missions across the country by hosting the pre-release red carpet event. These events were created to help organizations break down the misconceptions of homelessness and increase support. The ultimate goal of these events, as inspired by the powerful messages found in the film, is to inspire people in Grand Rapids to build relationships with people who are not like them.

  • Event: Same Kind of Different as Me: Grand Rapids Movie Premiere
  • Date: October 18, 2017
  • Time: 6 pm–Reception,  6:30 pm–Remarks, 7 pm–Showtime
  • Location: Celebration! Cinema Grand Rapids North & IMAX, Grand Rapids
  • Tickets: $25 each: includes movie, program, pop/popcorn combo (proceeds go to Mel Trotter Ministries)

Get your seat: www.meltrotter.org/movie or call 616.454.8249.