Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

Caring, Compassionate, Community-Focused

become a volunteer

Update: Year-round shelter.

Task force update - January 2026

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, which operates year-round. 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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Faith Reformed Church recently completed their second week of service this season, and we are grateful for their tireless efforts. Their volunteers arrived prepared and eager to serve our guests, showcasing their exceptional commitment. Faith Reformed consistently brings a team of dedicated and compassionate volunteers. We thank Faith Reformed for their unwavering commitment to supporting Safe Harbor and our guests.

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    📣 Safe Harbor Job Alert! Are you looking to play an important role in your community? Do you have an ability to deal effectively with conflict and crisis? If this kind of work resonates with you, and you’re ready to make a difference, we want to hear from you! Safe Harbor is seeking an individual to serve as resource assistant at the emergency shelter. This person will help support our guest manager and staff members in implementing our guest empowerment plan. The resource assistant, working onsite 30 hours/week, will also collaborate with care connectors and community partners on guest situations requiring special attention, and represent Safe Harbor at meetings and events as necessary. Applications remain open until 5 p.m. Monday, April 13. Learn more about position responsibilities at the job description here: https://www.indeed.com/job/resource-assistant-93dc981b0f73dba6

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