Kimberly Bytwerk and a few other CU students have found the cure to the epidemic known as the CU bubble.

“Two to three years ago, I didn’t really have any connections in the inner city,” said Bytwerk, CU alumna and assistant director for commuters. “Mel Trotter Ministries has affected me so much that I don’t even know the extent of it.”

Mel Trotter, a shelter in downtown Grand Rapids, offers many different services ranging from substance abuse programs to food drives.

However, CU students involved in the ministry mainly work at the summer camps and after-school program  called Kids Club that works as a follow-up to the camp. These ministries aim to teach kids more about the Bible and to help them understand what it means to be a Christian.

Most of the kids, ages 10-15, come from rough backgrounds.

“I feel like my eyes have been opened from being with the kids. It’s a good thing to be aware of what these kids go through. It’s just horrific to hear the stuff that they’ve witnessed,” said Bytwerk. “When I tell them that my parents have been married for 25 years, they think I’m joking.”

Bytwerk hopes that the work done at Mel Trotter will encourage kids to avoid the lifestyles of their parents.

“A lot of times, bad habits are things passed down from generation to generation. It just takes one person to have a positive influence or see something in them, just one encouraging relationship to get them out of bad cycles,” said Bytwerk.

Amidst rough edges, God’s work is visible in the lives of the students.

“They’re so curious and so hungry to learn more about God. It’s crazy,” said CU senior Hannah Hill, who has worked at Mel Trotter for three years. “These kids listen because they want to listen. They’re actually thinking about things and asking really good questions. I love that.”

Mel Trotter not only gives their employees the opportunity to affect lives, but the experience also has positive effects on the employees.

“Inner-city kids are really authentic and real. These kids know if there’s something you’re hiding,” said Bytwerk. “You can’t be fake or they will let you know what they think of you. It’s refreshing.”

“[Working at Mel Trotter] has helped me to appreciate how much I have. Not only the physical things and the material things, but also the emotional support I’ve had with having so many people who are right at my fingertips, willing and wanting to pour into me,” said Hill. “These students don’t have that, and it’s so easy to take it for granted.”

Bytwerk also said that working at Mel Trotter can be useful in preparing students for their future careers.

“If you want to learn how to teach, teach these kids,” said Bytwerk. “You learn a lot of really good teaching and discipline stuff, like keeping their attention and focusing on the positive. We have a lot of really great kids who want to learn.”

For Hill, the only downside of Mel Trotter is the lack of time with the students.

“Sometimes it’s frustrating because we only see them twice a week or one weekend in the summer, but we still have that impact,” said Hill. “We continually pray that God will use the moments we have with them.”

Hill encourages anyone looking for a summer or part-time job to look into Mel Trotter.

“They are always recruiting students to be camp counselors over the summer or for the after-school program,” said Hill. “They are always in need of people.”

According to Bytwerk, Mel Trotter may be the perfect way for CU students to stretch themselves.

“A lot of CU students complain about being in a bubble. In some degree, we are in a bubble, but that’s because we choose to be in it,” said Bytwerk. “This is a great way to get out of that bubble.”

To get involved with either the camp or after-school program, contact Jon Wolters at jonwolters@meltrotter.org.