Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

Caring, Compassionate, Community-Focused

become a volunteer

All are welcome

Safe shelter for the homeless

Shelter closes for the season on April 30

Volunteers at work

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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Some exciting changes are happening this coming season and one major one is a newly formed Resource Management position and the overall goal to better connect our guests to local resources, give them encouragement to design goals based on their individual needs and to create a sense of confidence for all involved! Below is a presentation put together by our Resource Manager and given at our recent Resource Day. It outlines the program, the tools that will be used to connect our guests, expectations of the various positions and how you and/or your organization can become involved! We encourage you to take a look, reach out with any questions and we hope to see YOU as part of our team working toward overall community wellness, which includes our guests at Safe Harbor!

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Are you a local organization/agency/group that would like to volunteer in helping our guests gain life skills, accomplish goals toward overall wellness (environmental, physical, spiritual, financial, emotional, social, intellectual, occupational) or something else that you are passionate about and want to share with others?? We have an opportunity for you! We are looking for area partners to host a "working session" for our guests either Tuesdays from 9:00am-11:00am or Thursdays from 1:00-3:00pm, starting October 22nd! If interested, please email Jaclyn at jaclynd@gtsafeharbor.org to chat about your idea and to get on the schedule asap!

    Monthly Newsletter