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.

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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.

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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.
More Donation Options

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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    This past week the Catholic Churches graciously served our guests. It was heartwarming to see their smiling faces, have them join our guests for dinner, and participate in delightful conversations. Thank you for your tireless efforts this past week ✝️

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    🌟Volunteer Spotlight🌟 From becoming Safe Harbor’s first kitchen manager to transitioning to one of several volunteer kitchen workers at the shelter, Traverse City native Jodee Taylor brings her infectious smile and many years of restaurant experience to dishing out deliciousness to our guests – and we’re so grateful! “After a couple of years in the new shelter, everyone knew how the kitchen worked, so we switched to a rotating schedule of volunteer kitchen managers, one of whom comes in every day. These kitchen elves make sure the paper towels and napkins are stocked, the kitchen is cleaned and sanitized, and the refrigerator is ready for the next group of volunteers to load it up with food,” said Jodee, who enjoys taking weekend kitchen shifts as much as possible. “There’s also a there-but-for-the-grace aspect to why I volunteer,” she added. “I’m a recovering alcoholic. If I hadn’t stopped drinking, I’d probably be dead, but if I wasn’t dead, I’d probably be on the other side of the buffet line.” Her favorite task at the shelter? Using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the white cupboards: “It really is like magic!” Least favorite task? “Untangling apron strings.” We couldn't do what we do without wonderful volunteers like Jodee! Interested in giving back to your community by volunteering at Safe Harbor? Learn more about opportunities here: https://www.gtsafeharbor.org/volunteer/

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