Munson Healthcare announced a commitment to donate $100,000 over the next two years to Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse as part of a broad effort to support the needs of those in the community experiencing homelessness.
 
“As a non-profit funded entirely by donations and grants, the generous support of our community and contributions like this from Munson are vital to our mission,” Wayne Sterenberg, Safe Harbor Treasurer, said in a statement from Munson. "We are grateful for Munson Healthcare’s commitment and partnership to build upon the resources available to those experiencing homelessness in our region.”
 
Safe Harbor currently provides food and shelter from October 14 to April 14, serving nearly 300 people which results in 15,000 overnight stays. This past fall, Traverse City Commissioners gave the emergency shelter unanimous support to pursue year-round operations during a 2-year pilot. The funds being donated by Munson over the next two years, $50,000 in 2025 and $50,000 in 2026, are intended to help in the efforts to meet that goal.
  
Between this year and last, Munson Healthcare has committed $400,000 to organizations and programs that support the unhoused such as the Street Medicine partnership with Traverse Health Clinic and Goodwill Northern Michigan. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the program’s mobile unit provides hundreds of people experiencing homelessness access to healthcare services and other resources wherever they are in the community. 

Photo, L to R: Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Megan Brown, MHC President and CEO Ed Ness, System Director of Community Health Christi Nowak, Safe Harbor Treasurer Wayne Sterenberg, and Safe Harbor Fundraising Chair Joshua Brandt