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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    With Giving Tuesday coming tomorrow, you will no doubt be seeing many worthy causes asking for your support. Safe Harbor is thankful for the "Ladles of Love" fundraiser organized by Real Estate One to benefit our work here at the Shelter. This Giving Tuesday event also includes something for you! How does it work? Simply put, you can order soup or chili directly from Ladles of Love and all proceeds come to Safe Harbor. Local restaurants have donated their best offerings and they are available via lunch size portions or a "crock pot" meal that can serve 16 people. You can even order today for pickup tomorrow. We should note too that the pickup location at Real Estate One is only a few blocks from the Shelter. So if you are running errands tomorrow in town and want a place to eat your soup or chili, you know we have plenty of tables and would be glad to have you stop by!

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Help us with our evening meals! Is your business looking to make a positive difference in the community this winter? Safe Harbor is seeking partners to provide evening meals at the shelter. As a meal partner, your business or organization will: • Receive training on using the shelter kitchen (we’ll connect you with an experienced group to learn the ropes before handling a meal on your own). • Plan and shop for food that will feed about 85 people, including volunteers and staff. • Experience the joy of giving back to the community — and create a space for your own organization's team-building in the process! Interested? We are eager to fill available meal-serving slots — we have openings the week of Christmas and New Year's Day as well as the first week of January. In addition, there are a few openings in mid-February and toward the end of March. Please contact Brad Gerlach at the shelter, 231-944-0283, to learn more. Thank you for considering partnering with us!

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