Geonca Rolle’s powerful quote from her recent testimony, delivered at her graduation ceremony from Kalamazoo Gospel Mission’s New Life | New Hope program, is a testament to her strength and perseverance. Over the past six years of working with BridgeWays Case Management, Geonca has transformed her life and found her purpose.

Growing up, Geonca often struggled to find her place. In her struggle to find community, Geonca engaged in high-risk behaviors that endangered herself and others. One night, her home was subject to gun violence. Fortunately, no one was harmed in the shooting— “I felt it was God’s hands protecting us,” Geonca said. Still, the event prompted her to change her environment and move to Kalamazoo not only for her own safety, but for the safety of her children too.  She faced difficulty coping in the wake of this traumatic event and experienced Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, driving her to use illicit substances and isolate herself in her home. Substance abuse was an escape for Geonca—it was an escape from her life at the time, her past struggles, and from the efforts she went through to provide for herself and her children. Her mental health struggles evolved into suicidal ideation as well as attempts, as she began harming herself in various ways. It was only when her son knocked on her door during an attempt that this cycle was disrupted. “I didn’t want my son to see,” she said. “It was a reality check.”

Geonca stopped using substances and began attending therapy through Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK). Her journey toward healing had its share of setbacks and struggles. She was scared to be in social environments and was resistant to leaving her house. In her effort to build up her confidence in leaving the house, Geonca experienced another traumatic event and began using substances again.

BridgeWays was a catalyst for change in Geonca’s life. When Geonca joined the BridgeWays program, she felt that she needed someone to talk for her, to be her voice when she felt unable to speak. She connected with case manager Kachet Bonds and peer support coach Ituha “E” Cloud. “E and Kachet are my life-changers,” she shared. Even when Geonca relocated to Grand Rapids during the COVID-19 pandemic, Kachet stayed connected with her and continued to be a vital member of her support system. “With BridgeWays, I was able to be honest. I would have hidden the truth if not for E,” she said.

In addition to the support from her girlfriend, E, and Kachet, as well as therapy from ISK, Geonca’s grandmother was instrumental to her progress. She was Geonca’s “go-to” and “best friend” and told her she needed to “get grounded.” This final push motivated her to start the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission’s New Life | New Hope program—a one-year residential program that provided a safe place for Geonca to overcome substance misuse, nurture her mental health, and find a sense of stability.

When she first joined the program to escape the brutal winter cold, Geonca did not anticipate finding the success that she has today—but Kachet cheered her on, encouraging her to take her newly prescribed mental health medications and continue in the program. “Kachet is an angel. She would guide me right,” Geonca said. During the third quarter of the year-long program, Geonca truly started to excel. Kachet helped connect her to a psychiatrist, who prescribed different medications that effectively treated Geonca’s mental health. She started journaling and working toward being the person she wanted to be, and “being that unapologetically.” Grounding exercises, like meditation and yoga, helped her through her recovery journey. She built a healthy foundation with her family. After fully embracing the program and what it had to offer, Geonca’s life changed for the better. “It allowed me to transform in a different way—I made what I wanted a reality,” she said. “It gave me new tools to do things I didn’t think I could do.”

Geonca has now graduated from the New Life | New Hope program. Kachet and E joined her in celebrating her transformation, an effort that Geonca treasured. “E and Kachet knew the progress.” Currently, Geonca is applying for jobs and searching for housing for herself and her 7-year-old daughter, 9-year-old son, and 15-year-old son. She no longer experiences suicidal ideation, which she considers to be the biggest challenge she’s overcome. She has been free from self-harm for nine months already and continues to nurture her mental health through journaling, therapy, and grounding exercises. She has also learned to set healthy boundaries with others. For example, she tells her friends not to use substances around her, and if they drink, they know not to give her a drink unless it’s non-alcoholic. This way, Geonca can still enjoy time with those she holds close while maintaining her commitment to sobriety.

Geonca’s biggest goal is to help people, whether that’s through motivational clips she posts to social media, pursuing professional motivational speaking, or going back to school to help others through lived experiences as a social worker or peer support coach. Sharing her testimony at her graduation ceremony was a huge accomplishment for Geonca. “On the day I graduated, I finally felt seen and heard.” Her biggest motivation to share her story is the knowledge that others can learn from her. She appreciates that she can relate to others through her range of experiences and help them through struggles similar to her own.

“I am living proof that it is possible to change your life,” Geonca said. “And I want to help others change their lives.”

United Way has long provided essential funding for our Community Employment Program. These funds help us match job-ready candidates with valued local employers, offer job-coaching and on-the-job supports, and ensure ongoing success for both employees and employers. Because of their investment, participants are gaining real work experience, earning paychecks, and contributing strong value in workplaces across our region.

United Way also served as a valued sponsor for our inaugural Tacos & Tequila Crawl fundraising event held in September. Their sponsorship helped ensure the event’s success, fostering community engagement while raising critical dollars to support services and program growth.

We deeply appreciate United Way’s shared commitment to building an inclusive community where individuals with disabilities thrive. Their leadership demonstrates how collaborative philanthropy can create measurable impact—one job at a time.

We look forward to our continued partnership with United Way as a partner and our broader community. Together, we’re championing potential, promoting equity, and inspiring independence.

When PJ first came to MRC, he spoke very little and kept to himself. But today, thanks to the supportive environment of our Technology career track, he’s not only engaging in regular conversations with staff and peers — he’s thriving. “Go, PJ! We are so proud of you!” says Alicia Eckert, Workforce Development Supervisor.

With encouragement from Technology Instructor John Tidd, PJ has made huge strides in developing his verbal communication and social skills. He’s also become a speed demon on the keyboard, proudly declaring that typing is his favorite part of the program.

PJ is gaining hands-on experience through our partnership with Loaves and Fishes, where he’s currently observing the call center training program. He’s now considering stepping up to answer calls himself — a bold move to build the customer service skills he’ll need in future employment.

And speaking of the future, PJ has big plans. He’s set his sights on a job at one of his favorite stores — Five Below — where he hopes to stock shelves and continue growing his skillset.

From limited speech to limitless potential, PJ’s journey is a testament to what’s possible with the right support and determination. Keep going, PJ — your MRC family is cheering you on every step of the way!

One of the most meaningful moments of the night came as CEO Dan Pontius dedicated a special room in honor of Lynn VanderRoest, a longtime MRC client who left a lasting impact on our organization. Her legacy lives on through her generous gift and the countless lives she touched during her time with us. Her family was in attendance, making the dedication even more heartfelt.

Throughout the evening, guests experienced firsthand the incredible skills and creativity of the individuals we serve. Our clients and staff proudly showcased handcrafted woodworking pieces, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and interactive displays highlighting our career training programs. From trades and retail to the arts and beyond, MRC continues to expand opportunities for adults with disabilities to develop meaningful skills and build independence.

Events like this reinforce why we do what we do. The support and enthusiasm from everyone in attendance reminds us that our mission matters—and that we’re not in this alone.

Thank you to all who made the evening a success. If you weren’t able to join us, we invite you to learn more about how MRC Industries is breaking barriers and putting abilities to work at www.mrcindustries.org.

Together, we’re building a more inclusive community—one opportunity at a time.