About Us
Who Are We?
Mike & Marge Gross: Founders
Meet Mike and Marge Gross, a powerhouse couple with over 50 years of combined experience in full-time ministry, leading churches and ministries across the United States. Their passion for mentoring individuals from diverse backgrounds has sparked transformative journeys in countless lives. Mike is a certified John Maxwell coach and Positive Psychology Practitioner, while Marge holds a certification as a Christian Mental Health coach from Light University, illustrating their commitment to holistic healing. Together, they share a deep-seated mission to provide spiritual, emotional, and mental support to those in need, particularly the marginalized in society. Their dedication led to the founding of the Shalom Home Foundation, where physical safety and holistic healing converge to create a nurturing environment for all.
What people say about Mike and Marge:
Nathan M.
Aerospace Engineer
Mike and Marge were more than just my pastor and mentor at my university. They were like family to me and many others. They invited us to their home, where we shared life, laughter, and wisdom. They showed us what it means to serve others with love and grace, and they still do that at Shalom Home.
Ben A.
Chief Warrant Officer 5
US Army (retired)
As a military family, we moved often and found great friends in Mike and Marge. They welcomed us into their faith community and inspired us to grow in our life and relationships. Their mentorship and service made our stay there a memorable part of my Army career.
Jeff & Dianna
Owners of Hive Foundation Recovery Homes
Mike and Marge at Shalom Home are our dear friends from a Shared Housing training. They welcomed us to Shalom Home and showed us their servant hearts and compassion. Mike is a great leader, pastor, and coach. He and Marge are a blessing to the recovery community.
Jimm K.
Entrepreneur & ex-pro baseball player
I have had the pleasure of knowing Mike & Marge for over a decade, and one aspect of their character that truly stands out is their genuine passion for supporting others in achieving their full potential in life.
Meet the Shalom Home Foundation Board of Directors
Mike Gross
Vice President
I have a deep desire to help others and have had the honor of serving others as my career for more than 30 years. Along with my awesome wife of 20 years, Marge, I have moved all across the United States leading churches and ministries, teaching, coaching and speaking, with the desire to empower others to live more successful, happy, peaceful and fulfilling lives and grow in their relationship with God. I have had the joy of personally witnessing many, many lives that have radically changed when given a second chance. Those people have deeply changed my life in return and gave my life purpose.
In 2020, at the start of the pandemic, I was laid off from leading a small church in Alabama and moved to Florida. For the past couple years I worked on redefining my life and moving in a new direction. In this time I became a certified John Maxwell coach, a Positive Psychology Practitioner and founded MetaMind Coaching.
In 2022, I was introduced to shared housing and I immediately knew this was God's new direction and ministry for my life that would allow me to use my gifts and resources to change the lives of others.
I bring my 30 years experience in people management, communication skills and passion for helping the underdog succeed to those facing housing insecurity in the Emerald Coast of Florida. I am very excited for all the lives that will be changed through the Shalom Home Foundation!
Marge Gross
President
Shalom Home Foundation is a blessing from God. To be able to give a person a second chance to start over is an honor and a privilege.. I know firsthand what it’s like to have to start over. When I immigrated to the US from the Philippines almost 40 years ago, I landed in an unfamiliar country, culture and environment, away from all my loved ones. It was exciting but also scary. What I longed for was to be in a safe place that gave me security and where I felt accepted for being different. The residents we provide housing for are in a similar situation. Whether someone is re-enterring society after incarceration, or needing a place to recover, or aging out of the foster system, or a senior living on very limited income, the foundational need is the same. The need to have a place and a community where you’re accepted for who you are, a place where you know you're safe and secure, a place to call HOME!
I am so grateful for the various families that housed me and made me part of their family when I first moved to this country all by myself. Looking back, I don't know how I would have learned to open a bank account, get my Drivers license, my Social Security card, write a resume, and look for a job. With Shalom Home Foundation, I am able to help others in a similar situation, I am Paying It Forward.
Kym Vasquez
Director
I have always enjoyed helping others improve their station in life. I have been an executive recruiter and career coach for the last 20 years. I am a third-generation immigrant and have really loved seeing how each generation has contributed more and more to our beautiful country. My father is a Navy Veteran and I've seen too many veterans not have the respect and life they deserve returning to private life from public service. I am happily married to a great man who also lives to help people grow and thrive spiritually. We are active in our church and community as well as being active globally in humanitarian efforts. Together we adopted two beautiful boys through foster care. Unfortunately, while fostering we heard way too many stories of children not getting adopted and aging out of the foster care system without the help they need to face the world as confident adults. As a Director of a non-profit that is the sole source for an orphanage in Mathare, Kenya I have loved seeing the children blossom by providing a safe place to live and the opportunity to have a solid education. This has truly inspired me to do everything I can to help those who just need a little help to have a great future. For all of these reasons and more, I knew I had to be a part of the Shalom Home Foundation.
