January 2025 Missions Spotlight Series: Goodwill Street Outreach of Northern Michigan & Safe Harbor

January 2025 Missions Spotlight Series:

Goodwill Street Outreach of Northern Michigan & Safe Harbor

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Goodwill Street Outreach

Reaching out to end homelessness and guide people home since 2003

By Zeke Fleet and Ryan Hannon, CUMC Missions Committee

“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” James 2:15

For more than 20 years, Central United Methodist Church has worked in collaboration with Goodwill Northern Michigan’s Street Outreach program to address issues such as healthy meals, safe housing, regular medical care, and other basic life necessities for our unsheltered brothers and sisters in the Grand Traverse area. Ryan Hannon, director of Central’s Outreach program, is part of Central’s staff, and has worked with the Goodwill Street Outreach since its inception. Ryan has a deep passion for those in need. Through his years of one-on-one interaction with homeless individuals, he understands the necessity to connect with area agencies, churches and other resources to help address the many obstacles related to homelessness.

This community network of local agencies, organizations, churches, and compassionate individuals is the safety net that can minimize or hopefully end homelessness in the Grand Traverse area, where an estimated 275 people are currently unhoused or displaced. Many homeless individuals suffer from physical or mental disabilities, chronic health issues, substance abuse, are fleeing domestic violence or facing lost income.

A major component of Central’s Outreach program is its meal program that’s chaired by Bob Bevier along with Liz Bevier, kitchen manager Steven Przedwojewski, and a host of volunteers. Warm and nutritious breakfasts are provided at Central’s Fellowship Hall every Monday through Friday, and lunches are available each Thursday. Through September 2024, Church Outreach had served 20,108 meals, an increase of nearly 25 percent from the same period in 2023. The increase in the number of meals served, along with rising food costs, magnifies the need for financial resources to support Central’s Outreach program and support of Goodwill’s Street Outreach initiatives.

A message to Central United Methodist Church mission supporters from Bailey LaPan, Homeless Services Manager, Goodwill Northern Michigan:

“Goodwill Street Outreach is deeply grateful for the partnership and unwavering support of Central United Methodist Church (CUMC) and their dedicated volunteers. CUMC has provided a welcoming and dependable space for individuals experiencing homelessness to access essential resources, fostering a sense of safety and dignity. Through their warm meals, safe environment, and compassionate volunteers, CUMC creates an atmosphere where our clients can step out of “survival mode” and focus on their housing journey. Whether it’s offering breakfast to a new referral or assisting Street Outreach in connecting with someone in need, CUMC has consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to serving the most vulnerable members of our community. Their partnership has been invaluable in our shared mission to navigate pathways to stability and housing for those who are most in need.”

In addition to the hundreds of breakfasts and lunches served each week at Central, our guests depend on the Goodwill and Central Street Outreach programs to help with the many life necessities that allow them to survive the rigors of homeliness. The following is a list of these resources available at Central’s Fellowship Hall:

Secure storage of personal belongings,
Personal hygiene supplies,
Shower facilities,
Underwear, socks, and razors
Mail services,
BATA bus passes for new jobs and appointments
Professional dental care,
Backpacks and other supplies,
Hair cutting and stylist services.

Goodwill Street Outreach and Central collaborate with many Grand Traverse area help organizations to address the various aspects through Central’s Outreach program, including:

Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing,
Thomas Judd Care Center (HIV/STD testing),
Traverse City Street Medicine (Friday mornings) through Munson Health Care and Traverse Clinic,
Addiction Treatment Services,
Catholic Human Services Peer Recovery Program
Grand Traverse Health Dept
Northwest Education Services (assisting with Fellowship Hall cleaning),
Northwest Food Coalition/Food Rescue,
Safe Harbor,
Jubilee House at Grace Episcopal Church
Basic Needs Coalition
Father Fred Services
St. Vincent de Paul

Make a gift to Central Missions now. Your financial contribution is directed to these life saving programs this month. Please consider financial support for Goodwill Northern Michigan Street Outreach and its partnership with Central Outreach.

With your financial help through Central’s Missions, we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. Select “Central Missions” on the dropdown when making a donation online.

Safe Harbor supports the physical and spiritual welfare of people

experiencing homelessness by providing shelter, food, and hope.

By Zeke Fleet, Donna Olendorf, and Ryan Hannon – CUMC Missions Committee

CORE VALUES:

Compassion: We relate to our guests with love, empathy, and encouragement for all.

Commitment: We are dedicated to safety and are diligent in our responsibilities.

Faith: We offer hope and dignity to our guests.

Respect: We build trusting, affirming relationships based on honesty and care.

Collaboration: We coordinate closely with many stakeholders and partner organizations that share our vision.

BRIEF HISTORY

In 2003, First Church of the Nazarene in Traverse City began offering community meals, and later that year offered emergency shelter.
During the next few years, other area churches joined the effort to assist our homeless neighbors with food and shelter.
The need for a permanent shelter became apparent. In 2013 the facility at 517 Wellington St. was offered for consideration.
Safe Harbor purchased the facility. Following reconstruction, doors were opened in November 2017.

Since opening as a non-profit organization, Safe Harbor has become a cold-season refuge for people in need of food and shelter. Its 2,250 dedicated volunteers work in collaboration with community help organizations that serve as a safety net to address the basic needs of our unhoused neighbors. In addition to beds and meals, Safe Harbor offers multiple shower stalls, laundry facilities, medical and behavioral health space, a TV room, chapel, computer stations, and cell phone charging lockers. It is currently open from October 15 through April 30 and averages 60 to 65 guests each evening, nearly the same level as last year. Safe Harbor can accommodate a maximum of 72 overnight guests and is open as a day shelter on Saturdays and Sundays.

Safe Harbor’s commercial kitchen provides dinner for its guests from Tuesday through Sunday; the Monday Safe Harbor meal is provided by the 5Loaves2fFish organization. Most breakfasts and lunches are provided by area host churches, including Central UMC that provides breakfast at its Fellowship Hall Monday through Friday, and delivers breakfast to Safe Harbor on Saturdays. As a weekend day shelter, Safe Harbor’s need for food has increased.

The Traverse City, City Commission, in conjunction with the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness, have approved $250,000 in funding from the American Rescue Plan to make it possible for Safe Harbor to remain open all year. If this becomes a reality, further Safe Harbor funding will be needed. According to Safe Harbor board members, the cost of year-round service will roughly double Safe Harbor’s current $500,000 annual budget. An increase of the number of guests from encampments, such as The Pines, is expected as no-camping rules may be enforced. It is hoped that the community can raise the necessary funds and Safe Harbor will move forward with a plan to stay open beyond April. Without funding, Safe Harbor will remain a winter shelter. It’s encouraging to note that many chronically homeless guests have been placed in supportive housing thanks to Goodwill of Northern Michigan’s recent acquisition of East Bay Flats.

Other changes to Safe Harbor include the introduction of a new resource manager position to help connect guests to services. Supported by Care Connector volunteers, this position will build on the work that staff and volunteers have already begun. The resource manager and Care Connectors will focus on assisting guests as they connect with outside services during their stay at the shelter and help them navigate an often complex and laborious processes as guests try to improve their circumstances. Central sends its gratitude for Safe Harbor’s volunteer manager Brad Gerlach, staff supervisor Jenny Wallman, and Safe Harbor’s hard-working volunteer board.

Please help provide financial support to Safe Harbor through Central’s Missions. Make a gift to Central Missions now. Let’s help our neighbors in need and be part of the solution to end homelessness. With your financial help through Central’s Missions, we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need. Select “Central Missions” on the dropdown when making a donation online.