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.

Learn More

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.

Learn More

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.

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

See What We’re Up To

  • 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

  • Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse

    Last Thursday, we celebrated the coordinators from local churches and the community who provided dinners every evening throughout our October - April season. Thanks to the sponsors who provided the food--Oryana, Meijer, Costco, Higher Grounds, and Bay Bread--and to the remarkable volunteers who make up the Steering Committee. And a special shout out to Becky Lanham who provided delicious homemade cheesecakes and to The Flower Station for the lovely table bouquets.

    Our Newsletter