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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Delicious meals, amazing partners! 🥖 🥗 🍞 We couldn't do what we do without our valued partners, and today we'd like to give a special shout-out to 5loaves2fish for their unwavering support and dedicated assistance with providing meals to our guests on an ongoing basis. Thank you so much for these yummy Monday meals — we appreciate all that you do! Photo credit: 5Loaves2Fish

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Little victories 💫 Alex Franklin, a former shelter guest and current volunteer, is grateful for the positive changes in his life. Alex, 37, stayed at Safe Harbor on and off for a couple of years before finding permanent housing last December through his employer Molon Asphalt. He's thankful for the assistance he received while staying at the shelter: “Everyone was very welcoming. I have a lot of respect for them. Once I had been there for awhile and got to know the staff, we developed a special bond.” He now plays a leadership role in a Traverse City Police Department outreach program that helps people living with addiction, homelessness and mental health issues. He also was recently asked by his probation officer to share his story as part of a panel taking place during crisis intervention training. Read more about Alex's journey in our most recent newsletter. His story is featured in a new column highlighting shelter guests' small breakthroughs and how these mark the beginning of lasting change. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Alex, and thank you for all that you do for our community! Check out Alex's story here: https://mailchi.mp/gtsafeharbor/anewseasonforsafeharbor-10612000

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