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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    ❄️ Your year-end help makes a difference! ❄️ This week’s biting wind and brutal cold—felt on brief trips between home, car, work, and the grocery store—give only a glimpse of the life-threatening elements our neighbors endure all day and all winter long. We have arrived at Northern Michigan's coldest period, and the coming season will, without question, require much to continue our mission. With just two days left to give to support Safe Harbor in 2025, we invite you to consider helping our mission with a donation. Year’s end and the holidays often inspire reflection, compassion, and renewed hope. But winter—and the harrowing challenges it brings—has only just begun, and our mission to provide emergency shelter, food, and hope must continue well beyond this giving season. With the help of donations, Safe Harbor can build upon its meaningful impact this year that included providing 24,735 warm bed nights and 15,675 meals to 393 neighbors in need—along with thousands of hot showers, countless loads of laundry, and 663 referrals to vital community resources. ❤️ Thank you for everything you do in support of those in need. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today at www.gtsafeharbor.org (http://www.gtsafeharbor.org/) and spark hope in the New Year.

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Shelter season greetings 🎄 - Read about the many ways Safe Harbor honors the Christmas season in the December newsletter. https://mailchi.mp/gtsafeharbor/anewseasonforsafeharbor-10609953

    Our Newsletter