Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

Caring, Compassionate, Community-Focused

become a volunteer

Update: Year-round shelter.

Exploring a year-round shelter.

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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Find out why Safe Harbor is moving to year-round operations in this month's newsletter: A new season 🥀🌻 - https://mailchi.mp/gtsafeharbor/anewseasonforsafeharbor

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Safe Harbor's application for a new Special Land Use Permit (SLUP) allowing the shelter to remain open all year has been approved by the Planning Commission. The final step is SLUP approval by the TC City Commission at its May 5 meeting at 7 pm. Please attend the meeting to show support of this initiative. Until then, Safe Harbor will extend its winter session into May because our current SLUP allows operation until May 15.

    Monthly Newsletter