Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

Caring, Compassionate, Community-Focused

become a volunteer

Update: Year-round shelter.

Community Meeting September 30, 2025 - TADL

Safe Harbor will remain open year-round

About Safe Harbor

Food, Shelter, Hope

Safe Harbor supports the physical and spiritual welfare of people experiencing homelessness by providing emergency shelter, food, and hope.

 

We operate a non-profit, volunteer-run Seasonal Emergency Shelter and a year-round Housing & Human Services Resource Center. As part of the Continuum of Care, we also focus on community partnerships in order to better collaborate on long-term solutions to ending homelessness in our region.

Why Volunteer

Since 2004, thousands of volunteers have given their time and love to help others in their community through Safe Harbor. We operate from mid-October through April to keep those experiencing homelessness safe from the winter elements. The more you learn about our people, our guests and our mission, the more you’ll want to join us.

Donate

Safe Harbor is largely volunteer-operated. This means your donation goes directly to the shelter functions.  Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to Safe Harbor’s effort. Select from a one-time Sponsoring of a Day, a Bed, or Subscribing Monthly. Learn more about our donation process and which items we accept at what time. View some of our most common donation types below.

  • Help Sponsor a Day
    $50
    The overhead to run our shelter program include not only the utilities and facility upkeep, but the often unseen things like insurance and other operational expenses.
  • Sponsor a Bed
    $250
    By sponsoring at this level, you help Safe Harbor cover the costs for one of our 82 nightly shelter spots for an entire season.

Community Partners

Safe Harbor is grateful to our wonderful community of partners, without which our mission would not be possible. Our thanks to the following groups that have provided caring, compassionate hospitality to our guests at Safe Harbor.

Munson Family Practice
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Northern Lakes Community Church
Presbyterian Church of Traverse City Michigan
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
West Side Community Church
Bayview Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Faith Reformed Church
Munson Healthcare
Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints
St. Patrick Catholic Church
Traverse City Police Department
Christ the King Catholic Church
St. Philip Neri
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA)
Food Rescue of Northern Michigan
Northwest Michigan Healthcare Services (NMHSI)
Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing (NMSH)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Goodwill Housing Support
New Hope Community Church
Sojourn Church
Grace Episcopal Church
Northern Lakes Community Mental Health
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse
Central United Methodist Church
Goodwill Inn
Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness
Traverse Health Clinic
Goodwill Street Outreach
GTC Health Department
First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids
Munson Family Practice
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
Northern Lakes Community Church
Presbyterian Church of Traverse City Michigan
Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church
West Side Community Church
Bayview Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church
Faith Reformed Church
Munson Healthcare
Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints
St. Patrick Catholic Church
Traverse City Police Department
Christ the King Catholic Church
St. Philip Neri
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA)
Food Rescue of Northern Michigan
Northwest Michigan Healthcare Services (NMHSI)
Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing (NMSH)
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Goodwill Housing Support
New Hope Community Church
Sojourn Church
Grace Episcopal Church
Northern Lakes Community Mental Health
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse
Central United Methodist Church
Goodwill Inn
Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness
Traverse Health Clinic
Goodwill Street Outreach
GTC Health Department
First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids
View More

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Meet the Safe Harbor Steering Committee, the hardworking church coordinators who support the shelter with meals and volunteers from October - April. They are already planning ways to make the summer season go smoother and looking ahead to serving meals this fall. Thank you Steering Committee!

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Find out why Safe Harbor is moving to year-round operations in this month's newsletter: A new season 🥀🌻 - https://mailchi.mp/gtsafeharbor/anewseasonforsafeharbor

    Monthly Newsletter