Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

Caring, Compassionate, Community-Focused

become a volunteer

Update: Year-round shelter.

Community Meeting Jan. 6, 2026 - TADL

Safe Harbor staff

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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    This Giving Tuesday, we’re reflecting on what your support has made possible at Safe Harbor this past year for 393 neighbors experiencing homelessness: ❤️ 24,735 warm bed nights ❤️ 15,675 hearty meals ❤️ 8,192 hot showers ❤️ 3,259 loads of laundry Together with 2,300 volunteers and 21 partner churches, we’ve also connected guests to 663 resource referrals, helping them take the next steps toward stability. Today, you can help us continue this life-saving work into the coming year. Make a gift at gtsafeharbor.org and be part of providing shelter, dignity, and hope. #GivingTuesday

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    With Giving Tuesday coming tomorrow, you will no doubt be seeing many worthy causes asking for your support. Safe Harbor is thankful for the "Ladles of Love" fundraiser organized by Real Estate One to benefit our work here at the Shelter. This Giving Tuesday event also includes something for you! How does it work? Simply put, you can order soup or chili directly from Ladles of Love and all proceeds come to Safe Harbor. Local restaurants have donated their best offerings and they are available via lunch size portions or a "crock pot" meal that can serve 16 people. You can even order today for pickup tomorrow. We should note too that the pickup location at Real Estate One is only a few blocks from the Shelter. So if you are running errands tomorrow in town and want a place to eat your soup or chili, you know we have plenty of tables and would be glad to have you stop by!

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