Dennis and Beth are joined by Brooke for a special Christmas episode of Everyday Humanity. Brooke shares the story of how a field trip she took in 6th grade impacted her and prompted her to take action. Dennis, Beth and Brooke share their stories of how God prepared them to do the work they are doing now at Mel Trotter. They share that the generosity and support of the community is what allows them to continue to do what they do. Give now: meltrotter.org/give Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan. Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Hannah Miedema   meltrotter.org

Happy Turkey Drop Day! This week on the podcast, Beth and Dennis share a conversation with friends Ken and Nate from Feeding America West Michigan and Sean from United Church Outreach Ministry. They discuss their ongoing partnership to collect and distribute turkeys to families that need them this holiday season. They also talk about how one turkey goes beyond just one meal and the impact it can make in the lives of others in our community. Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan. Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI Produced by Matthew Grzybowski, Courtney O'Malia, and Allison Eisher meltrotter.org

This week Dennis and Beth are joined by Dawn VanHorn, the Volunteer and Internship Coordinator at Mel Trotter Ministries. Dawn shares her story of how one life event changed her career path and how God ultimately led her to Mel Trotter Ministries. Dawn discusses that we can't do what we do without our hundreds of volunteers especially for the Thanksgiving community meal. They also talk about how God continues to use her in her role as she helps student volunteers understand the realities of homelessness. Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan. Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI Produced by Matthew Grzybowski, Courtney O'Malia, and Allison Eischer meltrotter.org

This week, Beth and Dennis are joined by DeMaceo and Julius. DeMaceo, one of MTM's Tracks Case Managers, shares his journey at Mel Trotter, from starting out in security 7 years ago to now being a case manager. They discuss how he feels that God led him to MTM to truly help and support our guests. Julius, Youth Coordinator at MTM, shares that when he started at Mel Trotter Dennis asked him "what do you want to do?' and that started it all for him. Someone believed in him and he uses that as motivation to show our guests support and lets them know that he believes in them too. We are all a Mel Trotter family, guests and staff alike, believing in each other is how we move forward.    Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.   Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI   meltrotter.org   This episode was produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Hailey Mulder

This week, Beth and Dennis are joined by Jeff Abbot, Director of Missions at Ada Bible Church. Hear Jeff speak about Ada Bible's role in the community to help be the hands and feet of Jesus and to be proximate to those in need. Beth, Dennis and Jeff also talk about the importance of lifelong experiential learning and sharing with upcoming generations to continue to serve and love people well…a/k/a “demonstrating the compassion of Jesus.” Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan. Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI meltrotter.org This episode was produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Hailey Mulder

This week, Beth and Dennis are joined by Shelby, the Triage Coordinator at Mel Trotter Ministries. Shelby shares experiences from her previous roles over the past 8 years as well as some from her current role. She says, "For our guests, it isn't as simple as going to Mel Trotter and everything fixes itself from there. It's not just about pulling yourself up by your bootstraps, it is about the people that come alongside you to help make it happen. Sometimes you can do everything right and systems still feel as though they are stacked against you.” For many of our guests it seems as though they are living in a state of " I can't" or "I can only”—but people like Shelby on staff at MTM help create an environment where they dream alongside guests and then help make them a reality. Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan. Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI meltrotter.org This episode produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Hailey Mulder

This week, Beth and Dennis are joined by Jon, co-owner of the Lantern Coffee Bar & Lounge in the Heartside District. Jon shares his experience working in close proximity to people experiencing homelessness in the Heartside area and discusses how he and his staff show empathy to each person who enters their doors, regardless of who they are. The Lantern is known to be a warm, welcoming beacon of hope and light to those experiencing homelessness. Our guests know that when they're in need, Jon and his staff are there to offer a smile, a friendly conversation and a place to warm up. "The Lantern is meant to be in this part of town...the Heartside needs us and we need the Heartside too." Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan. Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia meltrotter.org

This week Dennis and Beth are joined by Adam and Christy Lipscomb, co-founding pastors of City Life Church. For years, they have been instrumental in leading individuals to Christ by showing everyday humanity and love to each person who enters their doors. Their congregation worships alongside one another regardless of their backgrounds or previous life experiences. Through their relationship with Mel Trotter Ministries, Adam and Christy have provided help, hope and a “home” at City Life Church to those experiencing homelessness. Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan. Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia meltrotter.org

Dennis and Beth are joined by Nelly Santos and Stacy Beene of Heartside Ministry, a division of Mel Trotter Ministries. In this episode the four of them discuss misconceptions in the community around the people we serve and how treating each individual as a person made in God's image has completely transformed the lives of so many in the Heartside area. From friendship circles to making Heartside Ministry feel like "home" to each person who walks through the doors, these two are going above and beyond to exemplify what it means to show everyday humanity.  Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.  Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI  Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

Dennis and Beth are joined by Mel Trotter Board Member and Superintendent of Cedar Springs Public Schools, Scott Smith. In this episode Scott discusses finding his faith, guiding his students with love and empathy, and reminding everyone that God has a plan for them, regardless of their current circumstance.  "God's got a perfect plan for all of us, whether we know it or not, and it's our job to not get in the way." Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan. Everyday Humanity is a podcast produced by Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids, MI Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia meltrotter.org