News

New guest empowerment program assists with housing, employment, life-skills

 

By Lynn Geiger

Newsletter contributor

 

Over the last couple of months, a major operational shift has begun at Safe Harbor – one that is designed to put the “emergency” back into the emergency shelter.

 

That shift is the launch of a guest empowerment program, which aims to help those who have entered the shelter take a more active role in their path out.

 

In addition to serving individuals who have been staying at Safe Harbor for several months, the program is also targeting all new guests. It is centered around three components: an employment lab, a housing lab, and life-skills classes. 

 

Guests were first told about the program at an all-shelter meeting in late April. Jenny Wallman, staff and guest supervisor, is heading it up and said the initial reaction from guests was positive. 

 

While the goal is for all guests to eventually be engaged with the program, its launch has been a slow rollout as the program finds its legs. The first cohort of 10 guests were identified by staff and started the program in mid-May. Since then, guest turnover at the shelter has impacted some of those initially identified, but the program is forging ahead, and as things get rolling, more cohorts will get underway.

 

“We’ve had to do some pivoting and adjusting, and that’s OK,” said Wallman. “We’re still moving forward.”

 

The first step for identified guests is a one-on-one meeting with Wallman to document their physical and mental health, employment status and history, and housing history. Then, they work together to develop a plan broken down into a checklist of “to do” items.

 

Wallman noted this initial meeting is an opportunity for guests to really open up, to be honest not only about their past struggles but also their hopes, and really figure out what each person needs to move forward and out of the emergency shelter within 90 days.

 

“Changing the feel”

Guest empowerment models at homeless shelters are not new. However, requiring guests at Safe Harbor to get involved in such a program is — and staff and leaders are optimistic about its potential here. 

 

Even in its early days the program is creating a positive shift. 

 

“It really is changing the feel of the shelter,” said Brad Gerlach, volunteer coordinator/facility manager. “It’s that empowerment piece. There are conversations about finding housing, finding employment, even school. This is the thing now. They are looking for more.”

 

Employment and housing labs

If employment is a possibility for a guest, that rises to the top of the action plan. The employment lab, led by Gerlach, is assisting guests with everything from applications and resumes to coaching on workplace etiquette and other standard practices. (Read more about the employment lab in Gerlach’s column below.)

 

For assistance on the housing path, the volunteer-run housing lab (actually a satellite location for the lab currently run at Central United Methodist Church in TC) runs on Tuesdays at the shelter. Life skills classes will mostly be run by the program Before, During & After Incarceration and will be scheduled as needed. 

 

Critical to the success of the empowerment program is the weekly meeting guests have with Wallman for progress updates. Wallman, as well as Gerlach, are supported by the shelter’s all-volunteer care connector team, who do a lot of follow-up with guests and help to guide them and keep them motivated.

 

Support that provides hope

For two current guests, who have a goal of getting out of the shelter by early winter, they were excited to hear about the empowerment program and are happy to be self-described “guinea pigs,” said guest “M.S.”

 

I think it’s going to help the ones who have been here the longest get back on our feet. — M.S., shelter guest

 

For M.S, employment is not feasible due to a health issue and she is now working with Disability Network Northern Michigan and pursuing social security disability. She said the support she is receiving from Wallman is giving her hope. 

“I didn’t think I would be eligible,” she said. 

 

Her partner, who also is housed at the shelter, is recently employed, thanks to a fellow shelter guest and friend recommending him for a position at his workplace. Their plan is to eventually save enough between the two of them to be able to leave the area.

 

Wallman noted that while the program does have a 90-day timeframe, that doesn’t mean those guests will not be able to continue to stay at the shelter as long as they are making progress on their checklists. The hope is as guests land jobs, or another source of income, that can hopefully lead to permanent housing situations. And slowly but surely, the shelter can transition back to its “emergency” mission.

 

Summer 2026