Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

Caring, Compassionate, Community-Focused

become a volunteer

Update: Year-round shelter.

Community Meeting September 30, 2025 - TADL

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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Safe Harbor is gearing up for the return of daily church-sponsored dinners beginning October 15. Jenny, Brad, and Brett are working behind the scenes to make it happen, and they are training new and returning staff.

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    TACO TUESDAY! A huge, heartfelt thank you to the Sportsman Channel and Spectrum for cooking - and then serving - venison tacos to our guests last night! Since 2007, the channel's Hunt.Fish.Feed. program has partnered with local cable affiliates to put excess game meat and fish to good use in communities by providing it to homeless populations and others dealing with food insecurity. Wild game chef Paul Comes was at Safe Harbor last night, leading the group from both the Sportsman Channel and Spectrum with the dinner. Spectrum also made a $2,500 donation to Safe Harbor to help us continue to care for our community. Thanks again for visiting, and giving our guests a great meal!

    Monthly Newsletter