News Summary
Catherine’s Health Center will launch a full-time medical clinic at Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids to provide essential healthcare services for the homeless. Scheduled to open in October 2025, the clinic will operate 40 hours a week and aims to deliver comprehensive medical care, including mental health services, dental hygiene, and chronic disease management. This initiative seeks to reduce emergency department visits and support individuals in transitioning to stable living conditions, reinforcing a commitment to healthcare access for low-income residents.
Grand Rapids – Catherine’s Health Center is set to launch a full-time medical clinic at Mel Trotter Ministries, aimed at providing healthcare services to individuals experiencing homelessness. The clinic, which will be operational for 40 hours a week, is scheduled to open in October 2025 at 225 Commerce Ave. SW, Grand Rapids.
The new initiative is a partnership between Catherine’s Health Center, a federally qualified health center, and Mel Trotter Ministries, a rescue mission in downtown Grand Rapids that offers food, shelter, and workforce development training. The clinic will serve anyone who is homeless and is designed to deliver a wide range of essential medical services.
Comprehensive Healthcare Services
Healthcare professionals at the clinic will provide a variety of services including:
- Walk-in appointments
- Dental hygiene services
- Psychiatric care
- Case management support
- Substance use disorder treatment and medications
- Immunizations
- Screenings
- Well-child visits
- Diagnostic lab services
- Chronic disease management
- Referrals to specialty care
Goals and Impact of the Initiative
The primary aim of this clinic is to offer personalized and dignified care to Mel Trotter’s guests, which is integral to improving health outcomes among the homeless population. One of the key objectives is to reduce the number of non-urgent emergency department visits and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations.
The leaders from both organizations believe that enhancing healthcare access will also improve housing opportunities and stability for individuals experiencing homelessness. By focusing on providing consistent and comprehensive medical support, the initiative strives to help individuals transition successfully to more stable living conditions.
Background of Services Provided
Catherine’s Health Center has been serving the community for several years, previously delivering healthcare directly to the unhoused population in shelters, churches, and encampments. For the past four years, the center has provided nursing and convenience care services at the Mel Trotter location, laying the groundwork for this full-time partnership.
The new clinic will act as a “medical home” for those in need, creating a stable and accessible healthcare environment tailored for the homeless community.
Community Engagement and Open House
An open house event is scheduled for October 22, 2025, where community members can learn more about the clinic and the services offered. This event aims to engage the local community and raise awareness about the healthcare needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
Commitment to Quality Care
Catherine’s Health Center is dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate, and affordable healthcare services to individuals in need, reinforcing its long-term commitment to enhancing healthcare access for low-income residents in the area. The partnership with Mel Trotter Ministries marks a significant step in addressing the pressing healthcare needs of the homeless population in Grand Rapids.
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Additional Resources
- Fox17: Mel Trotter Ministries Expanding Healthcare Services
- Wikipedia: Healthcare in the United States
- MLive: Grand Rapids Health Center Offering Full-Time Care
- Google Search: Healthcare for Homeless Individuals
- Wood Radio: Catherine’s Health Center to Staff Full-Service Med Clinic
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Health Care
- Grand Rapids Magazine: Top Doctors 2025
- Google News: Mel Trotter Ministries
Author: STAFF HERE GRANDRAPIDS WRITER
GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER The GRAND RAPIDS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGrandRapids.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Grand Rapids, Kent County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as ArtPrize, Festival of the Arts, and World of Winter. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and Grand Rapids Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in furniture, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Steelcase, Spectrum Health, and Meijer. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
