Welcome to Season 3 of Everyday Humanity. Joining us today is Paula Jauch. Paula is a trauma survivor, international speaker, 2x award-winning author, and podcaster. She has a passion to see individuals walk into freedom. After accepting Jesus as her Savior, she spent many years trying to get free from self-destructive behaviors and addiction. She. Tune in to today’s episode to hear Paula speak to what it is like when you don’t have relationships or resources to escape pain and trauma and how to find hope through Christ.

Everyday Humanity - a podcast created to challenge your perception of homelessness by sharing stories of healing and hope in West Michigan.

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

meltrotter.org

In the last episode of the season, Dennis and Beth sit down with one of their close teammates, Tim Swiney—Chief Campaign Officer of Mel Trotter. Listen in to hear how God has worked in and through Tim to bring about his own life transformation, and how that experience drives him every day to help transform the lives of our guests.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

Cheryl Schuch, CEO of Family Promise of Grand Rapids, joins Dennis and Beth this week to discuss the importance of true collaboration and the organizations’ ongoing relationship in the community.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

This week, Mayor Rosalynn Bliss joins Beth and Dennis to discuss her heart for serving others and how her background in social work and advocacy for affordable housing led to a relationship with Mel Trotter Ministries. Mayor Bliss talks about her deep love for our community and her commitment to wanting our city to be a safe place for everyone to feel loved, have a sense of belonging and access to needed resources.  

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.   

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

This week, Dennis and Beth are joined by Tony Johnson, Director of Dining Services at Mel Trotter. In the midst of adversity, with only $15 and a bus pass to his name, Tony found himself on a bus to Grand Rapids looking for hope. As a guest at Mel Trotter, he entered recovery and built a new life for himself. For the last 17 years Tony has been a friend, mentor and encourager to so many of our guests and staff members. His position at MTM allows him to be proximate with the people we serve. During every meal Tony greets our guests and builds relationships with them. Through these meals he shows hope, love and the compassion of Christ to every person he serves.  

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries. 

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

Beth and Dennis are joined by guest host, Jeff Dashner, Sr. VP of Operations at Mel Trotter Ministries. The three of them sit down with Tom, Vice President, and Ryan, Sr. Project Manager, of Rockford Construction to discuss the important role Rockford Construction and many other local organizations play in the success of our capital campaign. Through these partnerships, our organizations are able to provide dignity and worth to our neighbors experiencing homelessness in the Grand Rapids community.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

Beth and Dennis are joined this week by Steve Kelly, WOOD Radio Morning Show host and new Mel Trotter board member. Like many of our guests, Steve struggled childhood trauma, a mental breakdown and a life-threatening disease. Steve discusses his struggles with PTSD, alcoholism and how a liver disease saved his life and brought him closer to God.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

This week, Beth is joined by Scott Jonkhoff and David Bult of Next Step of West Michigan. Next Step is a ministry focused on employing and housing those seeking a fresh start while equipping them for their next step in life. After an encounter with a man experiencing homelessness, Scott felt called to help others by being proximate and showing love and hope to those we serve. “When you live out love, healing takes place,” shares Scott. Now over 20 years later, Next Step offers a workforce development program where Mel Trotter guests can gain job skills training which lead to employment opportunities.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

Dennis and Adrienne are joined today by Michigan State Representative, Tommy Brann. In addition to being a State Representative, Brann is a restaurant owner, author, song writer and has a passion and desire for serving others. He fights to ensure those experiencing homelessness are well served through his support of emergency shelter programs and is an advocate for everyone fighting to end homelessness.

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia

Beth and Dennis are joined by Adrienne Goodstal, Chief Engagement and Advocacy Officer at Mel Trotter Ministries. Adrienne’s passion is outreach and being proximate with those experiencing homelessness. Our team goes out into the community to meet people who for one reason or another haven’t made it to our doors. We know building trust takes patience, transformation takes time, but it does happen and Adrienne has seen it firsthand. “To be able to go out and love on and build relationship in someone’s camp, there is nothing like it.”

"Everyday Humanity" is a podcast of Mel Trotter Ministries.

meltrotter.org

Produced by Matthew Grzybowski and Courtney O'Malia